Ainge talks about the draft picks on Toucher and Rich

[Boris Badenov]

I think Ainge is really underrating Marcus Smart here. I think he can turn a franchise around int he same mold that Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Dwayne Wade did. He is definitely that kind of player, with that kind of skill set. I'm hoping he sticks and isn't used in a trade.

There's no need to set those kinds of expectations on a kid.  I do think Ainge believes that Smart has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone.  But it's not going to happen this year or next, and if you say he can turn the franchise around, that's the timeline fans will expect.

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Why put that type of pressure on Smart and give Boston fans (of all fans) that type of expectation that he's the next *insert comparison*.  Let us be pleasantly surprised with the type of player he turns out to be instead of giving him a timeline to become the player we expect.

Yeah. Danny was pretty low-key about Olynyk last year. It just seems to be his style.

[TheBig3]

They also asked him why Young over Harris, he said he felt they had too many short guards already.

[McNoob]

They also asked him why Young over Harris, he said he felt they had too many short guards already.

No argument there. It would be nice if Young could get playing time over Gerald Wallace.

[ssspence]

all this did for me was further my belief that Love is definitely coming here.

for what? we didn't land stars in the draft to tempt Saunders, and we didn't trade for veterans who would help attract Love, so not sure what's changed for the positive.

[slamtheking]

all this did for me was further my belief that Love is definitely coming here.

for what? we didn't land stars in the draft to tempt Saunders, and we didn't trade for veterans who would help attract Love, so not sure what's changed for the positive.

agreed - if anything, I think the likelihood of landing Love, this year at least, is pretty much a dead end.

[cman88]

all this did for me was further my belief that Love is definitely coming here.

for what? we didn't land stars in the draft to tempt Saunders, and we didn't trade for veterans who would help attract Love, so not sure what's changed for the positive.

agreed - if anything, I think the likelihood of landing Love, this year at least, is pretty much a dead end.

our best opportunity to land love is if Saunders goes into the season with him and then we try and trade for him at the deadline, or convince him to come here in FA.

because as valuable as our assets are now(IMO) alot can change in the next few months to make them more valuable.

1. Sullinger could keep improving and become a 16ppg, 10rpg guy
2. Olynyk could take the sophmore jump and be a double double guy rotation player
3. Smart could look like a hit and contribute right away with upside
4. Brooklyn could begin to blow it up and our picks from them start to look like lottery picks.

I actually think we are going to have a wealth of assets next year for ainge to do whatever he wants. plus alot of cap-space.

[footey]

Other interesting observations of Ainge interview:

1. Said Smart has ability to become a "terrific point guard", but in the same breath, would be great playing on the court the same time with Rondo and/or Bradley. 
2. Said Smart had the ability to cover some small forwards in the NBA, noting his length and strength.
3. Compared Young to Brad Beale, in that they underperformed in college, but each just looked like a shooter.   
4.  Said Celts got two of the top 10 guys in the draft, and that with time he could see each playing a major role with the team.

[Clench123]

all this did for me was further my belief that Love is definitely coming here.

Me too

[GreenWarrior]

all this did for me was further my belief that Love is definitely coming here.

for what? we didn't land stars in the draft to tempt Saunders, and we didn't trade for veterans who would help attract Love, so not sure what's changed for the positive.

"Ben Rohrbach ‏@brohrbach 
Ainge says he's still holding out hope he can make a splash this summer."

kind of a direct hint.

"Jay O ‏@MrTrpleDouble10 
Ainge: spent time over the last month trying to "make the big splash, and we'll continue to try over the summer. Haven't lost hope on that"

i'm only assuming ainge is talking about the Love deal because that's the one we've been tied to since the end of the season.