Ainge to address the media at 9:30 AM

[jdpapa3]

The Rondo thing was interesting. We all know that it is true that he was late to a few games. Maybe he just said that because he hopes to keep his trade value sky high.

I agree with him about 58. Usually not a lot of slippers that far, but I definitely expect us to move up. Ainge does too much scouting work and has too much confidence in himself and the staff to not pick up some talent.

[Cman]

Ainge:  "The free agent mid-level talent pool is fairly deep, but based on our needs it may not be that deep."

Translation: Cs have bumped up against the luxury tax limit and owners are unwilling to add more salary.  If true, this will be a summer where the "big signing" is Dahntay Jones at the LLE.

[bobdelt]

In the words of Frank Drebin, "nothing to see here, move along everybody"


You can't expect him to say anything else, trades aren't going to be announced and he's not going to tell us his true intentions.

This is split your sides funny!!  TP

Yeah I just imagine Rondo putting on a Pistons jersey standing behind Danny Ainge while he's saying all this.

[Birdbrain]

The Rondo thing was interesting. We all know that it is true that he was late to a few games. Maybe he just said that because he hopes to keep his trade value sky high.

I agree with him about 58. Usually not a lot of slippers that far, but I definitely expect us to move up. Ainge does too much scouting work and has too much confidence in himself and the staff to not pick up some talent.

Yeah either that or it wasn't true, or completely blown of proportion as the norm.  To be honest none of what Ainge said about Rondo was very interesting.  Common sense is more like it.

[Roy Hobbs]

Ainge: "This opportunity is unique. We have an opportunity to win with this team we have. We don't want to jeopardize that for the future."

Thank God!  I hope he's telling the truth.  

Ditto.

[Roy Hobbs]

Ainge:  "The free agent mid-level talent pool is fairly deep, but based on our needs it may not be that deep."

Translation: Cs have bumped up against the luxury tax limit and owners are unwilling to add more salary.  If true, this will be a summer where the "big signing" is Dahntay Jones at the LLE.

Haha, yeah.  I mean, if the mid-level talent pool is deep, and we have needs at the backup 1,3,4 and 5, how is it not deep based upon our needs?

[Birdbrain]

He is addressing the media to say this?

This is just a ton of crap that every GM says the week of the draft. I could have written this for him and posted it on Celticsblog it's so predictable.

Clue me in.. should he make light of erroneous trade rumors that have no basis in fact or tell you what they might want to do in in the draft? 

[crownsy]

Ainge:  "The free agent mid-level talent pool is fairly deep, but based on our needs it may not be that deep."

Translation: Cs have bumped up against the luxury tax limit and owners are unwilling to add more salary.  If true, this will be a summer where the "big signing" is Dahntay Jones at the LLE.

Haha, yeah.  I mean, if the mid-level talent pool is deep, and we have needs at the backup 1,3,4 and 5, how is it not deep based upon our needs?

yea that line got to me too. How can a FA pool be deep and the team have major holes to fill, but "not deep enough for us"?

[MrTripleDouble10]

He is addressing the media to say this?

This is just a ton of crap that every GM says the week of the draft. I could have written this for him and posted it on Celticsblog it's so predictable.

Clue me in.. should he make light of erroneous trade rumors that have no basis in fact or tell you what they might want to do in in the draft? 

Ha I know really... What exactly did you want him to say?  If anyone has issues with what he said it's probably just because none of it flies with the 14-team/85 player/22 draft pick absurd trades people throw out there.

[Cman]

Ainge:  "The free agent mid-level talent pool is fairly deep, but based on our needs it may not be that deep."

Translation: Cs have bumped up against the luxury tax limit and owners are unwilling to add more salary.  If true, this will be a summer where the "big signing" is Dahntay Jones at the LLE.

Haha, yeah.  I mean, if the mid-level talent pool is deep, and we have needs at the backup 1,3,4 and 5, how is it not deep based upon our needs?

yea that line got to me too. How can a FA pool be deep and the team have major holes to fill, but "not deep enough for us"?

I guess what we all don't know, but what the Cs organization does know, is that Tony Allen is finally ready to make a contribution this year...

[Birdbrain]

It's not really hard to understand what he meant.. if you really want to know that is.

If someone is going to make the C's better at MLE or below we'll sign him.  If not be happy you have a team that if healthy will represent the Eastern Conference in the finals. 

[Roy Hobbs]

It's not really hard to understand what he meant.. if you really want to know that is.

If someone is going to make the C's better at MLE or below we'll sign him.  If not be happy you have a team that if healthy will represent the Eastern Conference in the finals. 

Where are you getting that interpretation from?

[BrickJames]

Ainge:  "The free agent mid-level talent pool is fairly deep, but based on our needs it may not be that deep."

Translation: Cs have bumped up against the luxury tax limit and owners are unwilling to add more salary.  If true, this will be a summer where the "big signing" is Dahntay Jones at the LLE.

Haha, yeah.  I mean, if the mid-level talent pool is deep, and we have needs at the backup 1,3,4 and 5, how is it not deep based upon our needs?

We don't have needs at Backup 2?  Is Eddie not opting out?  Did TA get his head out of his arse?  JR learn to play?

Must of missed the memo.

That said your commentary on Ainge's statement is spot on.

[nickagneta]

Ainge:  "The free agent mid-level talent pool is fairly deep, but based on our needs it may not be that deep."

Translation: Cs have bumped up against the luxury tax limit and owners are unwilling to add more salary.  If true, this will be a summer where the "big signing" is Dahntay Jones at the LLE.

Haha, yeah.  I mean, if the mid-level talent pool is deep, and we have needs at the backup 1,3,4 and 5, how is it not deep based upon our needs?

I think what he is trying to say is that if there were more high quality MLE type players then eventually some would have to take less than the full MLE because the teams spending a full MLE would dry up. That would in turn allow them to swoop in and get some bargains.

I really hope Danny is proactive this year and not reactive like last year because if he does wait around trying to find bargains, there isn't going to be anyone left worth paying.

[winsomme]

It's not really hard to understand what he meant.. if you really want to know that is.

If someone is going to make the C's better at MLE or below we'll sign him.  If not be happy you have a team that if healthy will represent the Eastern Conference in the finals. 

part of keeping a team built around mid-30s vets healthy is having depth.

if you don't have depth, it increases the chances of injuries that will keep you from reaching the goal of the Finals.

The "we're already good enough to win it all" position is a huge, huge gamble IMO. We need quality reinforcements.