What I'd do if they decided to move on from Danny

[KingChre]

I posted this in the Fire Danny Poll thread, but I'm curious to see what people's thoughts are. There are a lot of reactionary "hot takes" on why Danny should be fired, but it seems like the consensus is that most fans don't think that's the right move.

I do think it's time to move on (reluctantly, as I have loved most of Danny's tenure). It's my idea for a replacement that I'd like to discuss.

Here's my response (sorry for the lengthy post)

I voted yes, and I'll try and explain why.

Let me begin by saying that I think Danny has done a great job by and large. Even more so when evaluated against his peers.

He has done a great job with building a culture of winning that didn't exist here for years. He's made some outstanding trades, made some great draft picks and excellent signings. I could go on with his resume, but I don't think that's necessary on this board.

So, why would I "fire" him?

It's really as simple as this, I do not believe he is the best person for the job today and for the future.

Why?

At this point I think it's obvious that the Celtics future is tied to Brown and Tatum. And that is just a fantastic starting point. However I think we all could admit that they need help. Where is that help going to come from? Maybe free agency if they can use the TPE this off season. Maybe.

More likely is that help will have to come through the draft or trades. And this leads us into why I believe it's time to move onto another voice overseeing basketball OPS.

There is very little evidence that Danny currently possesses the skillset to acquire players from other teams via trade. There have been countless articles and quotes over the years about how Danny goes for the kill, and doesn't make fair trades.

The league doesn't trust him. And I'm not so sure that players do either. Combined with his mediocre drafting outside the high lottery, and it becomes really difficult to see a future where he acquires the supporting cast needed to put Tatum and Brown in the championship position we all hope they will be.

So it's time to move on.

Oh and just in case this question gets asked, yes, I do have a plan to replace him. There is a former Executive of the year that is currently unemployed. He has championship pedigree, and a notorious competitive streak just like Danny. He has a great reputation around the league, and some level of history with the Celtics.

I believe you may have heard of him, his name is...

Larry...freaking...Bird

 

[wdleehi]

Take a breath and not move on from Danny.

[seancally]

I believe this is the time when we say:

“Larry Bird is not walking through that door.”

Anyway, if Danny decided to retire, Zarren is the guy, IMO.

[KingChre]

Take a breath and not move on from Danny.

I'm pretty sure I made it clear that this post was intended to discuss my idea for a replacement. If you don't feel like it's an idea worthy of discussion fair enough. But why bother commenting on the thread just to say that you don't think they should move on? And not even mention what I actually said?

I get it. I see the poll results, I'm in the minority here. But I'd like to think that this is a discussion board and not a herd mentality bubble.

Not everyone who thinks they should move on is caught up in emotions. If you are content with the results and direction of the team, great, that's your right. Some of us aren't and we'd like to see the team go in a different direction.

[KingChre]

I believe this is the time when we say:

“Larry Bird is not walking through that door.”

Anyway, if Danny decided to retire, Zarren is the guy, IMO.

Why? He's a consultant. Everybody has a price, and I think the allure of winning a title as an executive with the Celtics would have some appeal.

[wdleehi]

Take a breath and not move on from Danny.

I'm pretty sure I made it clear that this post was intended to discuss my idea for a replacement. If you don't feel like it's an idea worthy of discussion fair enough. But why bother commenting on the thread just to say that you don't think they should move on? And not even mention what I actually said?

I get it. I see the poll results, I'm in the minority here. But I'd like to think that this is a discussion board and not a herd mentality bubble.

Not everyone who thinks they should move on is caught up in emotions. If you are content with the results and direction of the team, great, that's your right. Some of us aren't and we'd like to see the team go in a different direction.

You said "What I'd do"

That's what I'd do.

[nickagneta]

Larry purposely went to Indiana to coach and be their president because he lives in Indiana and loves being at home. He also purposely coach only three years and limited his GM stay to just a few years(in part due to heart issues). He is now a Pacer consultant.

I see zero way you lure a very happy in retirement Larry Bird for a high pressure job here in Boston. He has mentioned, in stepping down in Indy, his need not to travel as much because his lovely wife put up with him traveling and not being at home all those years he was a player and coach.

I think Larry stays in his home of Indiana because he has no desire to be directly involved in the day to day stuff of running a team for very personal reasons: health, home and happy wife, happy life.

For those reasons, as others have said: "Larry Bird is not walking through that door!"

[slamtheking]

Larry purposely went to Indiana to coach and be their president because he lives in Indiana and loves being at home. He also purposely coach only three years and limited his GM stay to just a few years(in part due to heart issues). He is now a Pacer consultant.

I see zero way you lure a very happy in retirement Larry Bird for a high pressure job here in Boston. He has mentioned, in stepping down in Indy, his need not to travel as much because his lovely wife put up with him traveling and not being at home all those years he was a player and coach.

I think Larry stays in his home of Indiana because he has no desire to be directly involved in the day to day stuff of running a team for very personal reasons: health, home and happy wife, happy life.

For those reasons, as others have said: "Larry Bird is not walking through that door!"

all this and I seem to recall when Larry took the Pacers job he was asked why he didn't take a similar position with the Celtics and his response is that no matter how he did as GM it wouldn't measure up to the success he had here as a player. 

he's not coming here to work with the C's in any capacity.  we'd be fortunate if we could get him to come here for a playoff series against the Pacers or some super-important, Celtic-great ceremony. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

You do remember how Larry Bird failed to put a team around Paul George resulting in him leaving, right?

[KingChre]

Larry purposely went to Indiana to coach and be their president because he lives in Indiana and loves being at home. He also purposely coach only three years and limited his GM stay to just a few years(in part due to heart issues). He is now a Pacer consultant.

I see zero way you lure a very happy in retirement Larry Bird for a high pressure job here in Boston. He has mentioned, in stepping down in Indy, his need not to travel as much because his lovely wife put up with him traveling and not being at home all those years he was a player and coach.

I think Larry stays in his home of Indiana because he has no desire to be directly involved in the day to day stuff of running a team for very personal reasons: health, home and happy wife, happy life.

For those reasons, as others have said: "Larry Bird is not walking through that door!"

Thank you for responding with an actual reply to my point.

This is all fair, and perhaps you are correct. But as I said, money changes a lot of people's plans. I think there is probably a scenario out there where he could come in for 3 or 4 years and still spend plenty of time in Indiana.

Keeping Zarren on is a must either way, I concur on that point.

[KingChre]

You do remember how Larry Bird failed to put a team around Paul George resulting in him leaving, right?

No actually I don't. Bird left in 2017, and I remember there being some scuttlebutt that one of the reasons that Bird left was over the lack of spending from Indiana's front office.

I'm pretty sure that Jackie Mac got some flack over reporting that as fact. She had to retract it somewhat but I have a hard time believing she pulled it completely out of nowhere.

[bdm860]

Even if you fire Danny, this is one of those situations where his replacement is already lined up.

Mike Zarren.

[Donoghus]

I'm pretty sure you could back up a Brinks truck to Larry Bird's house and he'd just shrug & decline at this point.

[KingChre]

Even if you fire Danny, this is one of those situations where his replacement is already lined up.

Mike Zarren.

I can admit that if I had to make a choice between Zarren and Larry, I would take Zarren because of his age and clear respect around the league.

Keeping Mike would be a part of my plan, but if he wanted out rather than staying on as an assistant, I would give him the job and hire someone whose specialty is scouting to help him out.

[KingChre]

I'm pretty sure you could back up a Brinks truck to Larry Bird's house and he'd just shrug & decline at this point.

Yeah but what about two Brinks trucks?