Blakely: Danny Ainge takes blame for Celtics’ underwhelming start

[Who]

How can he simultaneously blame himself but not want to make trades? Does not the blaming of himself indicate that the roster construction isn't good?

I don't know but I think Brad and Danny live somewhat by "you aren't as bad as your worst game and not as good as your best".   Making knee-jerk trades in the midst of the team's worst stretch is probably something Danny is cautious about. I doubt Danny wants to stand pat though.

Well said. Now is the time to avoid / question the desire to make big moves. You do not want to overreact when your team is in a bad period.

A good chunk of this will sort itself out. Some of the remaining needs action but it has to be the right sort of action. Not the type of action that compromises the future for the immediate without delivering enough of an improvement to justify such a decision.

Fair dues to Danny for taking blame on himself and off his coach. Many GMs in the league would rather sell their coach down the river to save their own hide. Danny is right that it is more about him due to the lack of depth & inexperience of the bench that he built that is the main cause of the team's struggles. How much of that is immediately fixable and how much of that we will have to suffer through until we get to the other side (maturity of some of these young bench guys) is the real question to be asked right now.

[Birdman]

If Tatum and Brown want to step up and be the MAN, the time is now..to be leaders and have the fire 🔥

[kraidstar]

Cedric Maxwell just summed up things nicely. He said the C's are incomplete,  and do need to make a move at some point.

But after a tough but well-played road trip there is no excuse to lay down for two of the worst teans in the league. He said they really disappointed him. Which is about how I feel.

He also said that Rick Mahorn texted him during the Pistons gane, saying "You guys suck."

The Jays should apologize to Max for having to endure a jab like that.

[gouki88]

NBC Boston just showed a montage of plays on which the Celtics did not compete against the Wizards.

Tatum clearly led the way in total noncompetitiveness. He looked like a buffoon out there. And Brown had zero assists.

Our stars need to show some leadership and actually play basketball. There have been challenges this season, but many other teams have faced the same, except that our guys are folding up shop. There is no excuse getting blown out by the Wizards when we have 3 all-stars starting, the same guys who went to the ECF. Additional role players aren't going to solve that problem. Stars have to have heart and leadership, not just talent.

One bad game means they don't have heart and leadership? Get down from the ledge

[GreenlyGreeny]

This bench is hot garbage. There is not a coach on the planet who could do more with this supporting cast than Brad has. The so-called “assets” post-Jayson became wasted picks on guys who might not even be in the league in 2-4 years.

Yes, this is all on Danny.

We need veteran leadership to get the Super Jay Bros. back on track:

1) Ship out Kemba and Timelord for Horford and Hill.

2) Try to bring in Griffin if he gets bought out by the Pistons (strong suspicion since nobody is going to trade for that contract).

3) Trade Langford, Nesmith, and G. Williams for McDermott assuming McDermott commits to an extension with us. 

4) Trade two second-rounders and our Hayward TPE for Rubio.

5) Dump Green for a top-55 protected 2nd (no obligation if does not convey).

6) Trade Edwards for a 2024 or 2025 2nd.

7) Kanter TPE and second-rounder for Ellington.

8. Sign IT as our 14th man/cheerleader. It’s not right that he’s unemployed right now.

Rubio/Hill/Pritchard/IT
Smart/Ellington
Brown/McDermott
Tatum/Theis/Ojeyele
Horford/Griffin/TT

Remaining youth: Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard (Smart and Ojeyele are still quite young, too). Still have all of our first-round picks, and the Memphis 2025 2nd rounder. Most importantly, we now have veterans who can ball and provide much-needed leadership/bench strength (re-sign McDermott, Ellington, Theis and Ojeyele in the off-season). Heck, maybe even talk Evan Turner into lacing up as the 15th man. Use the next 1-2 months getting ready to gel for a serious playoff run with some of these vets having a lot on the line come playoffs, unlike our current youthful joke of a bench who don’t seem to realize how close they are to being out of the NBA for life...

[86MaxwellSmart]

I think the players know the regular season is pretty meaningless, just make the playoffs....that's how they're playing anyway.

But, yes it's a roster problem...and that's 100% on Ainge....He also screwed us after the 2008 title--not keeping Tony Allen and cheaping out on other moves.

[seancally]

At least he knows the roster sucks. Not, “hey, we can turn it around.” Tells me he knows he needs to make moves.

[GreenlyGreeny]

Fair dues to Danny for taking blame on himself and off his coach. Many GMs in the league would rather sell their coach down the river to save their own hide. Danny is right that it is more about him due to the lack of depth & inexperience of the bench that he built that is the main cause of the team's struggles. How much of that is immediately fixable and how much of that we will have to suffer through until we get to the other side (maturity of some of these young bench guys) is the real question to be asked right now.

Outside of Celtics Blog, everyone realizes what a mess Danny has put together, and that Brad is still one of the best coaches in the league. Danny has no choice but to take responsibility for this disaster. Bet even Wyc is thinking to himself that Rondo has twice as many titles this century as Danny, so maybe it’s time for a change after waiting a dozen years for that second title from Danny?

[gouki88]

This bench is hot garbage. There is not a coach on the planet who could do more with this supporting cast than Brad has. The so-called “assets” post-Jayson became wasted picks on guys who might not even be in the league in 2-4 years.

Yes, this is all on Danny.

We need veteran leadership to get the Super Jay Bros. back on track:

1) Ship out Kemba and Timelord for Horford and Hill.

2) Try to bring in Griffin if he gets bought out by the Pistons (strong suspicion since nobody is going to trade for that contract).

3) Trade Langford, Nesmith, and G. Williams for McDermott assuming McDermott commits to an extension with us. 

4) Trade two second-rounders and our Hayward TPE for Rubio.

5) Dump Green for a top-55 protected 2nd (no obligation if does not convey).

6) Trade Edwards for a 2024 or 2025 2nd.

7) Kanter TPE and second-rounder for Ellington.

8. Sign IT as our 14th man/cheerleader. It’s not right that he’s unemployed right now.

Rubio/Hill/Pritchard/IT
Smart/Ellington
Brown/McDermott
Tatum/Theis/Ojeyele
Horford/Griffin/TT

Remaining youth: Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard (Smart and Ojeyele are still quite young, too). Still have all of our first-round picks, and the Memphis 2025 2nd rounder. Most importantly, we now have veterans who can ball and provide much-needed leadership/bench strength (re-sign McDermott, Ellington, Theis and Ojeyele in the off-season). Heck, maybe even talk Evan Turner into lacing up as the 15th man. Use the next 1-2 months getting ready to gel for a serious playoff run with some of these vets having a lot on the line come playoffs, unlike our current youthful joke of a bench who don’t seem to realize how close they are to being out of the NBA for life...

This is just beyond unrealistic

[Birdman]

How long will Ainge be the GM???

[ausbacker]

This bench is hot garbage. There is not a coach on the planet who could do more with this supporting cast than Brad has. The so-called “assets” post-Jayson became wasted picks on guys who might not even be in the league in 2-4 years.

Yes, this is all on Danny.

We need veteran leadership to get the Super Jay Bros. back on track:

1) Ship out Kemba and Timelord for Horford and Hill.

2) Try to bring in Griffin if he gets bought out by the Pistons (strong suspicion since nobody is going to trade for that contract).

3) Trade Langford, Nesmith, and G. Williams for McDermott assuming McDermott commits to an extension with us. 

4) Trade two second-rounders and our Hayward TPE for Rubio.

5) Dump Green for a top-55 protected 2nd (no obligation if does not convey).

6) Trade Edwards for a 2024 or 2025 2nd.

7) Kanter TPE and second-rounder for Ellington.

8. Sign IT as our 14th man/cheerleader. It’s not right that he’s unemployed right now.

Rubio/Hill/Pritchard/IT
Smart/Ellington
Brown/McDermott
Tatum/Theis/Ojeyele
Horford/Griffin/TT

Remaining youth: Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard (Smart and Ojeyele are still quite young, too). Still have all of our first-round picks, and the Memphis 2025 2nd rounder. Most importantly, we now have veterans who can ball and provide much-needed leadership/bench strength (re-sign McDermott, Ellington, Theis and Ojeyele in the off-season). Heck, maybe even talk Evan Turner into lacing up as the 15th man. Use the next 1-2 months getting ready to gel for a serious playoff run with some of these vets having a lot on the line come playoffs, unlike our current youthful joke of a bench who don’t seem to realize how close they are to being out of the NBA for life...

If this is the team, I'd rather let Ainge maintain control.

[NKY fan]

This bench is hot garbage. There is not a coach on the planet who could do more with this supporting cast than Brad has. The so-called “assets” post-Jayson became wasted picks on guys who might not even be in the league in 2-4 years.

Yes, this is all on Danny.

We need veteran leadership to get the Super Jay Bros. back on track:

1) Ship out Kemba and Timelord for Horford and Hill.

2) Try to bring in Griffin if he gets bought out by the Pistons (strong suspicion since nobody is going to trade for that contract).

3) Trade Langford, Nesmith, and G. Williams for McDermott assuming McDermott commits to an extension with us. 

4) Trade two second-rounders and our Hayward TPE for Rubio.

5) Dump Green for a top-55 protected 2nd (no obligation if does not convey).

6) Trade Edwards for a 2024 or 2025 2nd.

7) Kanter TPE and second-rounder for Ellington.

8. Sign IT as our 14th man/cheerleader. It’s not right that he’s unemployed right now.

Rubio/Hill/Pritchard/IT
Smart/Ellington
Brown/McDermott
Tatum/Theis/Ojeyele
Horford/Griffin/TT

Remaining youth: Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard (Smart and Ojeyele are still quite young, too). Still have all of our first-round picks, and the Memphis 2025 2nd rounder. Most importantly, we now have veterans who can ball and provide much-needed leadership/bench strength (re-sign McDermott, Ellington, Theis and Ojeyele in the off-season). Heck, maybe even talk Evan Turner into lacing up as the 15th man. Use the next 1-2 months getting ready to gel for a serious playoff run with some of these vets having a lot on the line come playoffs, unlike our current youthful joke of a bench who don’t seem to realize how close they are to being out of the NBA for life...

This is just beyond unrealistic

LOL at step #6 

[RodyTur10]

I don't really understand why people in December thought we had actually become better.

I saw many posters claim that Thompson and Teague would be big upgrades over Kanter and Wanamaker.
That we wouldn't really miss Hayward, since we'd done okay in the playoffs without him.
Our youngsters would have another year under their belt and be much better.
We finally drafted shooters who could catalize our offense.

At the time I thought it was way too optimistic and undervaluing the players we lost, especially Hayward.
I'm not really suprised we're currently a .500 team. At the same time we still have a playoff spot and I expect that we will maintain a playoff spot until the end of the season unless the team starts panicking.

There were 3 basic goals for this year: 1) development, 2) stay out of the tax, 3) find a use for the TPE
Honestly I don't really care about our seeding as long as we'll see development of our players and don't burn any assets unnecessary for short term help.

This is not our season and that's a pill to swallow because we chose the direction of keeping our picks and drafting young talent which needs time and patience to grow.

[cltc5]

You gave him kyrie horford and Hayward and we have how many conference championships to show for it?  Yet teams with one all star like Toronto and Miami have a conference title and one nba title.  This is on the coach.

[GreenlyGreeny]

This bench is hot garbage. There is not a coach on the planet who could do more with this supporting cast than Brad has. The so-called “assets” post-Jayson became wasted picks on guys who might not even be in the league in 2-4 years.

Yes, this is all on Danny.

We need veteran leadership to get the Super Jay Bros. back on track:

1) Ship out Kemba and Timelord for Horford and Hill.

2) Try to bring in Griffin if he gets bought out by the Pistons (strong suspicion since nobody is going to trade for that contract).

3) Trade Langford, Nesmith, and G. Williams for McDermott assuming McDermott commits to an extension with us. 

4) Trade two second-rounders and our Hayward TPE for Rubio.

5) Dump Green for a top-55 protected 2nd (no obligation if does not convey).

6) Trade Edwards for a 2024 or 2025 2nd.

7) Kanter TPE and second-rounder for Ellington.

8. Sign IT as our 14th man/cheerleader. It’s not right that he’s unemployed right now.

Rubio/Hill/Pritchard/IT
Smart/Ellington
Brown/McDermott
Tatum/Theis/Ojeyele
Horford/Griffin/TT

Remaining youth: Tatum, Brown, and Pritchard (Smart and Ojeyele are still quite young, too). Still have all of our first-round picks, and the Memphis 2025 2nd rounder. Most importantly, we now have veterans who can ball and provide much-needed leadership/bench strength (re-sign McDermott, Ellington, Theis and Ojeyele in the off-season). Heck, maybe even talk Evan Turner into lacing up as the 15th man. Use the next 1-2 months getting ready to gel for a serious playoff run with some of these vets having a lot on the line come playoffs, unlike our current youthful joke of a bench who don’t seem to realize how close they are to being out of the NBA for life...

This is just beyond unrealistic

Admittedly I came up with it mostly on the spot. Further refined the unrealistic parts in the transactions idea forum. Sadly, at this point it is more realistic than thinking anybody is going give us a Harrison Barnes or John Collins for our hot garbage. Our only chance at guys like that is multiple unprotected firsts and swaps.