Would Danny Ainge in his prime start for this team?

[Boris Badenov]

On this particular team, this coming year? Naw.

The same reason RayRayRay came off the bench: Defense and athleticism! And Avery Bradley has that.

Ainge was a decent defender in an era where defense wasn't overwhelmingly necessary like it is now.

Great offensive player, great 3 pt shooter even with the 3pt line as far back as it was. But he'd be a good 6th man, no doubt.

Ainge was a very good defender, an excellent shooter from anywhere on the court, versatile enough to bring the ball up or play straight SG, smart, and a terrific energy guy.

He was also an outstanding athlete: quick laterally, fast up and down the court, good leaper etc.

He would start, no question in my mind. He was an all-star at his peak, and right now neither AB nor Ray are close to that level.

[celtsfan84]

On this particular team, this coming year? Naw.

The same reason RayRayRay came off the bench: Defense and athleticism! And Avery Bradley has that.

Ainge was a decent defender in an era where defense wasn't overwhelmingly necessary like it is now.

Great offensive player, great 3 pt shooter even with the 3pt line as far back as it was. But he'd be a good 6th man, no doubt.

Ainge was a very good defender, an excellent shooter from anywhere on the court, versatile enough to bring the ball up or play straight SG, smart, and a terrific energy guy.

He was also an outstanding athlete: quick laterally, fast up and down the court, good leaper etc.

He would start, no question in my mind. He was an all-star at his peak, and right now neither AB nor Ray are close to that level.

Totally agree. I assume some have forgotten how good Ainge was or maybe never saw him in the first place?

A nice point of reference is that he was the 6th man on the 1988 Eastern Conference All-Star team.  The starters, you ask? Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Larry Bird, Moses Malone.

I'd give Bradley a slight nod on defense as Ainge was a very smart and pesky defender.  In today's NBA he'd lead the league in drawing charges.

I'd give Ainge a huge edge on offense and overall basketball savvy (making smart plays and the right play at the right time).

Last year, our defense was outstanding and our offense was pretty bleh.  Ainge starts, Bradley backs up both positions, Ray walks because there is no way he stays if he doesn't get any minutes.

And as mentioned, Ainge was a fantastic overall athlete.  Starting Bradley over Ainge because of athleticism is a poor decision.  Perhaps some are thinking of Phoenix Ainge but Boston Ainge / Sacramento Ainge was a marvelous athlete.  Any thoughts that he couldn't keep up in today's NBA are hogwash.  He is the only athlete to be high school first team All-American in basketball, football, and baseball and played for the Blue Jays. In his prime, he was more athletic than Bradley.

[dysgenic]

Whenever I watch classic sports Celtics games, I ALWAYS come away saying to myself- "I forgot how good Danny Ainge was."

He really was a heck of a good player in his day.  All that being said, I think Bradley has a chance to be even better than he was (but in a different way).  

Tough decision in my opinion.

[gar]

Ainge was a pesky hustle player with a decent but not great shot. He used to drive me crazy. He always seemed out of control.

[Roy H.]

Ainge was a pesky hustle player with a decent but not great shot. He used to drive me crazy. He always seemed out of control.

In his very early years, Danny wasn't a great shooter.  By the mid-80s, though, he was excellent.  He was close to a 50% FG% /40% 3PT/90% FT% guy, which is phenomenal.

[wahz]

Toss up between him and Ray, but Id lean to Danny.  Again "in his prime" vs Ray now, DA a better passer, and better at creating his own shot, and a better dribbler. Much bigger than Avery so Id start him at shooting guard. An energy guy too and disruptive.

[Bombastic Jones]

Toss up between him and Ray, but Id lean to Danny.  Again "in his prime" vs Ray now, DA a better passer, and better at creating his own shot, and a better dribbler. Much bigger than Avery so Id start him at shooting guard. An energy guy too and disruptive.

Yes.  No question about it.  He was an all-star guard who shot over 50%.  Ray in his prime would crush him, but "prime" DA could ball and would definitely start on this team in my mind.

[317]

for his ability to space the floor and play good(not great like Bradly) defense Danny would get the start. some numbers to get you thinking.

in 86-87 Danny hit 180(FG%+3pt FG%+FT%) with a total of 182.6 http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aingeda01.html

very few players ever make the 180 club thought i could not find a exact number. only 4 have ever done it with 50/40/90 (Bird, Price, Miller, Nash) and Danny came very close several times only missing by a combined 1.7 in 86-87