Danny Stepping Down / Brad To Lead Front Office / New Coach

[dannyboy35]

 So is this just a way of employing Brad in a great way in title or advisory role in reality, because we owe him so much money? That’s it right? That AND they want Ainge gone too. That I can understand. I don’t understand if we’re really choosing Brad to make these decisions. Crucial time for the Celtics. I don’t get it if this is “ on the level.”
   

[Kuberski33]

apologies in advance for the long post; hopefully some will find the perspective an interesting pov.

i watched the presser in its entirety, and came away with a completely different opinion of what transpired than what i initially thought.

background: i had the privilege of working in a c-level role with two different fortune 500 companies in my career and i’ve seen this type of organizational change up close several times. my $0.02, the change the c’s just announced was the result of an internal power play, which was won by brad. i’ve seen this play out many times and it usually takes one of two paths: 1) the ugly, ego-driven firefight that is tough to hide internally and externally, and 2) the professional, respectful, but material difference in vision that ends up with one person “winning” and the other agreeing to “retire.”

from what i witnessed, the c’s went through the latter. danny and brad’s awkward body language at the presser, brad’s quick promotion without ownership even considering a search, danny claiming health reasons and a desire to spend time with family (old standards for exiting execs) combined with his non-answer regarding future jobs all point to a decision forced on ownership to pick one of two diverging points of view and philosophies. like i said, i’ve seen this before and it goes down in similar fashion almost every time.

furthermore, the praise danny and brad heaped on each other during the presser was very awkward and came across as two guys who are both pros and will say the appropriate things at the right moment. it wasn’t completely genuine and was a bit forced. for a guy who allegedly made his own decision to retire to spend more time with family, danny didn’t seem very happy at the presser. this was a gentlemanly separation at the request of ownership. “here’s your exit package, danny, which is contingent on you playing the company guy bit on your way out.” danny gets a nice cash reward and the ability to spin it as his decision; the c’s get a fluid transition and little-to-no bad PR.

also, i’ve worked directly with guys like brad who seem to be very low key and demure but are surprisingly very savvy politically. it makes sense we heard rumors and read articles earlier in the season that brad would assume a greater role in personnel going forward. he was not happy with danny’s rosters and made it clear to wyc that he needed more control. as the team struggled to perform, ownership was forced to become more involved in these diverging philosophies and ultimately pick a side. what was announced today was the culmination of this battle being won by brad, which makes sense. ownership was forced to pick a horse for the long term and brad came out on top. i think the “aw shucks” indiana country boy schtick purposefully hides a very driven, savvy, ambitious personality. he didn’t get to where he is by chance. honestly, this viewpoint makes me even more confident in his ability to run basketball operations for the c’s.

like i said, simply my opinion based on what i’ve witnessed firsthand. granted, i could be completely wrong but all the signs do seem to point to a professional power play that didn’t go danny’s way.

I have a hard time believing this, because Austin Ainge was part of Danny’s tight inner circle, and it seems it will remain that way under Brad.   If this was truly the case I have a hard time seeing Danny’s son staying on board.

Well the announcement just took place this morning and the season is still going on.  Any staff moves are likely to come once the playoffs end. 

It is an intriguing take - especially because on one hand Danny said he's stepping away but he also didn't rule out a return to the league at some point.  Not sure I buy the spend more time wtih kids and grand kids part.  What I can buy is ownership feeling a change was needed in the leadership of Basketball Operations.

[GreenlyGreeny]

This must have been in play since Brad’s extension. I’m certain he’s proven to have good input when it has come to trade and draft decisions, whatever it may have been and whether or not it was heeded. This wasn’t some blind faith move. Wyc is not an idiot.

My guess: Stevens was lobbying for moves that Ainge did not pursue, and Wyc knows all about it. I bet Stevens wanted to move Jaylen for Harden. I bet he wanted to move a piece for Kawhi back in 2019. It would not even surprise me if Stevens advised against trading IT for Kyrie. So on and so forth.

[BruceBanner18]

The "what happens if the players don't like being told what to do by a woman?" thing is the same type of argument that's been used to deny women leadership positions from time immemorial.

It's not a good look.

Good look or not, it's the reality.

As much as some of these NBA guys run off at the mouth about equality and opportunity, at heart most would not completely respect a woman as their head coach.

It's also a bad idea to hire your coach based on being progressive looking and stylish.

How do you have any idea? They fully respected Kara Lawson when she was an assistant here, the Spurs players rave about Hammon. You have no idea about what players think given you're nothing like them, and everything publicly said about these women has been respectful and full of admiration.

You just said it, these women were assistants, not the head coach. Huge difference.

But there's absolutely nothing to support your out-there claim that " most would not completely respect a woman as their head coach." Absolutely nothing

PhoSita was the one who brought up this possibilty, not me. So others see this as a possible problem.
Think about the slurs that many of these guys use with regularity, sexist slurs, homophobic slurs. Ever listen to the rap that these guys love? It's full of complete disregard for women as equals. You're in fantasy land, as usual.

Ah, so this is just you shaking your fist at pop culture again? Got it

This is just me telling the truth. Sorry it offends your fragile sensibilities.
I never said I thought it was right, just that it is reality.

You can't comprehend a man respecting a woman yet I'm the one with fragile sensibilities? LOL.

Nothing is ever as funny as you thinking your opinion is the reality, all the time. Classic stuff

Tropical Smoothie is right. Plus every month there would be a few games she'd get mad techs bc she's irritable 

Anyway, I think you misunderstood what he was saying. It wasn't that he couldn't comprehend a man respecting woman rather he couldn't comprehend a Black man respecting woman because all Black men think like rappers and rap lyrics. Racism disguised as misogyny but either way his bigotry is on full display.

[tenn_smoothie]

Quite an ignorant response, Bruce.

If nothing else works, just play the race card.

[GreenlyGreeny]

Stephen A Smith apparently blasts Celts for not hiring a non white GM.

He was incorrect about Nash hiring btw. Non white coaches have been hired without coaching experience

https://youtu.be/I3Bhk7fel-M

Yep, starting with Bill Russell in Boston over half a century ago…but we must ignore such inconvenient facts?

So absurd implying that Stevens’ skills, knowledge and abilities do not qualify him to be a GM: He led us to 3 of the past 5 ECFs, and probably lobbied for a ton of moves that Ainge did not pursue (that had we pursued them instead, we would be champs). That’s probably why Stevens is now our GM.

[Kiorrik]

On another topic; hope we replace Danny Brad sooner rather than later.

Would be really cool if the new coach could help assemble next season's roster.

[Ogaju]

On another topic; hope we replace Danny sooner rather than later.

Would be really cool if the new coach could help assemble next season's roster.

Come again?

[GreenlyGreeny]

Stephen A Smith apparently blasts Celts for not hiring a non white GM.

He was incorrect about Nash hiring btw. Non white coaches have been hired without coaching experience

https://youtu.be/I3Bhk7fel-M

I wish we'd hired somebody with proven experience.  Ujiri seemed like the best available candidate.

But, he would have cost a lot, and he would have eventually wanted to fire Brad, which would cost a lot.  So Wyc decided to hire a guy who was burnt out and has no executive experience.

I mean, it's laughable:  Wyc cited Brad's ability to recruit at Butler as evidence that he'll be a good executive.

At some point the question has to be asked? Is Wyc too cheap as an owner?

Be serious. He also said that coach and GM are two separate positions in Boston.

I am serious. I expect the Boston Celtics to go out and try to get the most qualified man for any job. I’m sorry but Brad Stevens ain’t it. I loved the forward thinking when he was named HC but this reeks of fear.

I just don't see how this equates to being cheap. Any coach you bring is likely going to cost less per year than Brad was making.

I think I explained it above.

Let's say we hired Ujiri.  He's going to cost a lot.  Then, because GMs inevitably want to hire their own guy, Brad would be fired at some point, leaving us on the hook for his salary, plus whatever the new coach makes.

You also lost 40% of your revenue due to the pandemic. That impacts any business. Accounting for that isn't necessarily being cheap.

No?

Setting back your entire organization by hiring an inferior candidate to save money wouldn't be cheap?

And, please don't get snowed by the owners crying poverty due to the pandemic.  In addition to the escrowed salaries and tax breaks they'll get, the Celtics have seen their franchise appreciate literally billions of dollars, and have earned wild profits:



That's $359 million in profit in the past four years alone.  I think that we could afford the most qualified candidate.

Looking at the growth in profit in the Stevens era, no wonder they wanted to hold on to him.

[Kiorrik]

On another topic; hope we replace Danny Brad sooner rather than later.

Would be really cool if the new coach could help assemble next season's roster.

Come again?

My bad, corrected :]

[W8ting2McHale]

Wow. 20+ pages of pure entertainment! More than I expected.

Half of Celtics Blog and this forum has been on the fire Ainge and get a new coach train since the season started. After the playoffs began and the Celtics were getting crushed without half their starters playing, it was all “Burn it all down! We need to find a new coach and replace Ainge. He doesn’t know what he’s doing anymore. Worthless!”

Burn it all down?

Danny Ainge strikes a match...

All of a sudden it’s “No! No! No! Where are we going to find a decent coach?!? Who will trade Kemba away!?!”

Funny stuff!

But seriously. Y’all act like Brad hasn’t been groomed by Danny and Wyc for this exact move for the past 2-3 years. All sorts of projected opinions about “soft” and “no experience.” Y’all act like any other team wouldn’t get bounced without their main guys on the court, or that Brad never discussed player decisions with Danny.

Thank you Danny for 18 years and Banner 17.  I remember when everyone was ready to run you and Doc Rivers out of town before you managed to get Ray Allen and convinced KG to team up with Paul Pierce. I would have quit after the heart attack, but you gave it another go.

Thanks Brad for 8 years and ensuring that the Celtics were regularly making the playoffs and mostly over achieving once you got there. I am sure your analysis and organizational skills will serve you well as Head of Basketball Operations.

And thanks for the entertainment Celtics Strong! You didn’t disappoint!

[Ogaju]

On another topic; hope we replace Danny Brad sooner rather than later.

Would be really cool if the new coach could help assemble next season's roster.

Come again?

My bad, corrected :]

Yeah ...need to do the interviews and get the Jays to sign off.

[terra haute]

On another topic; hope we replace Danny Brad sooner rather than later.

Would be really cool if the new coach could help assemble next season's roster.

Come again?

My bad, corrected :]

Yeah ...need to do the interviews and get the Jays to sign off.

So we have actually reached the point where players need to  sign off on the coach? Not 10 yr vets but young players. NBA is doomed

[GreenlyGreeny]

apologies in advance for the long post; hopefully some will find the perspective an interesting pov.

i watched the presser in its entirety, and came away with a completely different opinion of what transpired than what i initially thought.

background: i had the privilege of working in a c-level role with two different fortune 500 companies in my career and i’ve seen this type of organizational change up close several times. my $0.02, the change the c’s just announced was the result of an internal power play, which was won by brad. i’ve seen this play out many times and it usually takes one of two paths: 1) the ugly, ego-driven firefight that is tough to hide internally and externally, and 2) the professional, respectful, but material difference in vision that ends up with one person “winning” and the other agreeing to “retire.”

from what i witnessed, the c’s went through the latter. danny and brad’s awkward body language at the presser, brad’s quick promotion without ownership even considering a search, danny claiming health reasons and a desire to spend time with family (old standards for exiting execs) combined with his non-answer regarding future jobs all point to a decision forced on ownership to pick one of two diverging points of view and philosophies. like i said, i’ve seen this before and it goes down in similar fashion almost every time.

furthermore, the praise danny and brad heaped on each other during the presser was very awkward and came across as two guys who are both pros and will say the appropriate things at the right moment. it wasn’t completely genuine and was a bit forced. for a guy who allegedly made his own decision to retire to spend more time with family, danny didn’t seem very happy at the presser. this was a gentlemanly separation at the request of ownership. “here’s your exit package, danny, which is contingent on you playing the company guy bit on your way out.” danny gets a nice cash reward and the ability to spin it as his decision; the c’s get a fluid transition and little-to-no bad PR.

also, i’ve worked directly with guys like brad who seem to be very low key and demure but are surprisingly very savvy politically. it makes sense we heard rumors and read articles earlier in the season that brad would assume a greater role in personnel going forward. he was not happy with danny’s rosters and made it clear to wyc that he needed more control. as the team struggled to perform, ownership was forced to become more involved in these diverging philosophies and ultimately pick a side. what was announced today was the culmination of this battle being won by brad, which makes sense. ownership was forced to pick a horse for the long term and brad came out on top. i think the “aw shucks” indiana country boy schtick purposefully hides a very driven, savvy, ambitious personality. he didn’t get to where he is by chance. honestly, this viewpoint makes me even more confident in his ability to run basketball operations for the c’s.

like i said, simply my opinion based on what i’ve witnessed firsthand. granted, i could be completely wrong but all the signs do seem to point to a professional power play that didn’t go danny’s way.

I suspect the same. Also suspect the Celtics organization member who reportedly wanted to see Stevens fired immediately was a part of the game, either involving Danny and/or Austin.

Also suspect that Brad was lobbying for moves that Danny passed up, which we now know was a mistake (bet anything Brad was lobbying for Harden and Kawhi because he knows how difficult it is to win an NBA championship without a top 5 talent; instead, Danny chose to do nothing but watch the Raptors and Nets win titles we should own). 

[Ogaju]

apologies in advance for the long post; hopefully some will find the perspective an interesting pov.

i watched the presser in its entirety, and came away with a completely different opinion of what transpired than what i initially thought.

background: i had the privilege of working in a c-level role with two different fortune 500 companies in my career and i’ve seen this type of organizational change up close several times. my $0.02, the change the c’s just announced was the result of an internal power play, which was won by brad. i’ve seen this play out many times and it usually takes one of two paths: 1) the ugly, ego-driven firefight that is tough to hide internally and externally, and 2) the professional, respectful, but material difference in vision that ends up with one person “winning” and the other agreeing to “retire.”

from what i witnessed, the c’s went through the latter. danny and brad’s awkward body language at the presser, brad’s quick promotion without ownership even considering a search, danny claiming health reasons and a desire to spend time with family (old standards for exiting execs) combined with his non-answer regarding future jobs all point to a decision forced on ownership to pick one of two diverging points of view and philosophies. like i said, i’ve seen this before and it goes down in similar fashion almost every time.

furthermore, the praise danny and brad heaped on each other during the presser was very awkward and came across as two guys who are both pros and will say the appropriate things at the right moment. it wasn’t completely genuine and was a bit forced. for a guy who allegedly made his own decision to retire to spend more time with family, danny didn’t seem very happy at the presser. this was a gentlemanly separation at the request of ownership. “here’s your exit package, danny, which is contingent on you playing the company guy bit on your way out.” danny gets a nice cash reward and the ability to spin it as his decision; the c’s get a fluid transition and little-to-no bad PR.

also, i’ve worked directly with guys like brad who seem to be very low key and demure but are surprisingly very savvy politically. it makes sense we heard rumors and read articles earlier in the season that brad would assume a greater role in personnel going forward. he was not happy with danny’s rosters and made it clear to wyc that he needed more control. as the team struggled to perform, ownership was forced to become more involved in these diverging philosophies and ultimately pick a side. what was announced today was the culmination of this battle being won by brad, which makes sense. ownership was forced to pick a horse for the long term and brad came out on top. i think the “aw shucks” indiana country boy schtick purposefully hides a very driven, savvy, ambitious personality. he didn’t get to where he is by chance. honestly, this viewpoint makes me even more confident in his ability to run basketball operations for the c’s.

like i said, simply my opinion based on what i’ve witnessed firsthand. granted, i could be completely wrong but all the signs do seem to point to a professional power play that didn’t go danny’s way.

I suspect the same. Also suspect the Celtics organization member who reportedly wanted to see Stevens fired immediately was a part of the game, either involving Danny and/or Austin.

Also suspect that Brad was lobbying for moves that Danny passed up, which we now know was a mistake (bet anything Brad was lobbying for Harden and Kawhi because he knows how difficult it is to win an NBA championship without a top 5 talent; instead, Danny chose to do nothing but watch the Raptors and Nets win titles we should own).

Nets?