Danny on T&R: We're Not Good Enough

[Jiri Welsch]

https://twitter.com/Toucherandrich/status/1362405762052595720

Danny Ainge just told us that he thinks the Celtics as constituted right now are not good enough to win a championship. #Celtics

That's great Danny...but what are you going to do about it? If anyone is listening I'm curious what he's saying. Apparently they're grilling him.

[Donoghus]

As of right now, I don't think that's groundbreaking stuff or anything.  It's pretty apparent.

[Tr1boy]

https://twitter.com/Toucherandrich/status/1362405762052595720

Sounds like Ainge will do something before the deadline

[NKY fan]

Did he say anything noteworthy? Or it was just they are not good enough to win it all.
I actually like that he’s saying this now since he has been way off on his judgment the last 3 seasons... maybe we are good enough and Danny is wrong again lol 😂🤣

[GreenWarrior]

Glosses over the fact that the roster sucks because of him.

Even he doesn't see the issue. He goes over the list of issues like the injuries and health, but then says we're playing a bunch of guys that are young....

THAT'S THE ISSUE DANNY!

You're fans are squabbling over who you should have drafted - WE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRAFTING PLAYERS THE PAST 2 SEASONS!

But we didn't want to give up semi fricken ojeleye and some draft picks....

Now you've painted this team into a corner and eventually brown and tatum will leave just like al, kyrie & hayward... And we'll probably get nothing in return for them either.

Great job bud!

[Tr1boy]

Did he say anything noteworthy? Or it was just they are not good enough to win it all.
I actually like that he’s saying this now since he has been way off on his judgment the last 3 seasons... maybe we are good enough and Danny is wrong again lol 😂🤣

Celts need to start by making small moves. Dont need to give up on any of the key assets

For example trading for Muscala and Neto would help.  Both players had very good games last night

Both are UFA after this season. So should be available

[Vermont Green]

As of right now, I don't think that's groundbreaking stuff or anything.  It's pretty apparent.

What is groundbreaking is that a GM actually said out loud what is obviously true.  I give Danny credit for that.

[Smartacus]

As of right now, I don't think that's groundbreaking stuff or anything.  It's pretty apparent.

What is groundbreaking is that a GM actually said out loud what is obviously true.  I give Danny credit for that.

The first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem.

[footey]

As of right now, I don't think that's groundbreaking stuff or anything.  It's pretty apparent.

What is groundbreaking is that a GM actually said out loud what is obviously true.  I give Danny credit for that.

Yes, but demoralizing from the players' perspective.  It is basically saying that we will need to make trades/cut guys before we can be more competitive.

[gift]

Almost a guarantee there's a trade now. He didn't just realize this, but he just decided to set expectations for fans.

[Moranis]

In the entire history of the league there have been something like 3 champions that didn't have a top 5 player on them.  Those are the last Spurs title, the last Pistons title, and the Sonics/Thunder's only title.  That's basically it.  The Spurs had 4 HOFers at varying career points (TD old, Manu old, Parker in prime, Leonard on rise), the Pistons were incredibly deep with 4 or 5 All Star level players including the 3rd best defensive big/rebounder of all time (only Russell and Rodman eclipse Wallace in those), and the Sonics had 2 HOFers the rise (Sikma, DJ), a multiple time future All Star (Williams), veteran depth, and won in basically the weakest season in the sports history (you know right before Bird and Magic entered the league).

Boston doesn't have a top 5 player.  Boston doesn't even have a top 10 player.  Boston has 2 All Star (and possibly All NBA) players, a clearly injury hampered former All Star, and basically nothing else.  This idea permeating this board that this team was going to compete for a title this year was just strange to me.  There is a reason so few teams win titles without top 5 players.  There is a reason teams without top 5 players rarely compete for titles for more than an odd season or two.  In basketball, you quite simply, need a top 5 player to really and truly compete for a title.  If you don't have a top 5 player, then you aren't really going to compete year in and year out.  It just doesn't happen.

[G-Bones]

Agree with Moranis.  I would have like to seen last year’s Celtics compete with a healthy Hayward.  We were close.

[Goldstar88]

In the entire history of the league there have been something like 3 champions that didn't have a top 5 player on them.  Those are the last Spurs title, the last Pistons title, and the Sonics/Thunder's only title.  That's basically it.  The Spurs had 4 HOFers at varying career points (TD old, Manu old, Parker in prime, Leonard on rise), the Pistons were incredibly deep with 4 or 5 All Star level players including the 3rd best defensive big/rebounder of all time (only Russell and Rodman eclipse Wallace in those), and the Sonics had 2 HOFers the rise (Sikma, DJ), a multiple time future All Star (Williams), veteran depth, and won in basically the weakest season in the sports history (you know right before Bird and Magic entered the league).

Boston doesn't have a top 5 player.  Boston doesn't even have a top 10 player.  Boston has 2 All Star (and possibly All NBA) players, a clearly injury hampered former All Star, and basically nothing else.  This idea permeating this board that this team was going to compete for a title this year was just strange to me.  There is a reason so few teams win titles without top 5 players.  There is a reason teams without top 5 players rarely compete for titles for more than an odd season or two.  In basketball, you quite simply, need a top 5 player to really and truly compete for a title.  If you don't have a top 5 player, then you aren't really going to compete year in and year out.  It just doesn't happen.

What about when Dallas beat the Heat in 2011? Dirk was not a top 5 player at that point. I think the Celtics could be a contender if they had more veterans, legitimate big men and an overall more balanced roster. Too many young guys on this team and Kemba is just not effective as a third option, making max dollars.

[GreenShooter]

As of right now, I don't think that's groundbreaking stuff or anything.  It's pretty apparent.

What is groundbreaking is that a GM actually said out loud what is obviously true.  I give Danny credit for that.

Yes, but demoralizing from the players' perspective.  It is basically saying that we will need to make trades/cut guys before we can be more competitive.

I don't think it's THAT demoralizing to a team with a 500 record. You are what you are. They know it.

[Tr1boy]

T&R guys really went hard at Danny this time (Adam Jones +).  Danny was flustered like I haven't heard him before. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't want to return the next time lol. 

- Rich brought up Washburn article - players tuning Stevens out
- How did the Celtics lose to Wizard, Pistons and Hawks?
- If this team is a championship caliber team?   
- Question Danny trade deadline/offseason/team construction

https://985thesportshub.com/episodes/danny-ainge-joins-toucher-rich-bruins-forward-jake-debrusk-hour-4/