If the celtics won it all again should ainge have his # retired?

[cornbreadsmart]

I think most here would agree we maybe go a little bit overboard retiring guys numbers but whaddya think? i love the guy so I can't help but be biased. I'd love to see it happen.

[Roy Hobbs]

I think he already deserves to have his number retired, and Wyc in the past has expressed agreement.

[pearljammer10]

I agree on this one. He is well deserved to have his number in the rafters.

[EJPLAYA]

His number, no. He didn't do anything as a player worthy of having his number retired. If you want to retire his name then fine. I would disagree with that as well. If he gives us 7-8 more championships over the next 10-15 years then yes. I love Ainge to death, but this is the Boston Celtics. You have to earn your way up in those rafters by doing something incredible. Not just really good.

[Roy Hobbs]

You have to earn your way up in those rafters by doing something incredible. Not just really good.

Eh...  Isn't Ced's number retired?  He would seem to be in the "really good" category.  If Ainge gives us two championships as a starter and two championships as a GM, I'd say he's more than deserving.

[dark_lord]

i dont think ainge should have his number retired.  I also felt as though max didnt deserve it either.

[More Banners]

You have to earn your way up in those rafters by doing something incredible. Not just really good.

Eh...  Isn't Ced's number retired?  He would seem to be in the "really good" category.  If Ainge gives us two championships as a starter and two championships as a GM, I'd say he's more than deserving.

Max was at least a finals MVP. I guess that's "really good," at least for a little while, when it counts.

Ainge was a role player surrounded by FOUR hall of famers.  To say he "gave us two championships" is overstating the case quite a bit.  The 84 and 86 titles are well represented by retiring #'s 00, 32, 33, and 3.

He can't match Walter Brown's founding the team, and, even if he proves to be the best GM ever, won't have Red's 9 coaching rings to go with it.  I can't see retiring "AINGE" as a non-player.

[BballTim]

You have to earn your way up in those rafters by doing something incredible. Not just really good.

Eh...  Isn't Ced's number retired?  He would seem to be in the "really good" category.  If Ainge gives us two championships as a starter and two championships as a GM, I'd say he's more than deserving.

  I'd have gone with Reggie Lewis, who was no more deserving than Ainge. But good point.

[Roy Hobbs]

You have to earn your way up in those rafters by doing something incredible. Not just really good.

Eh...  Isn't Ced's number retired?  He would seem to be in the "really good" category.  If Ainge gives us two championships as a starter and two championships as a GM, I'd say he's more than deserving.

Max was at least a finals MVP. I guess that's "really good," at least for a little while, when it counts.

Ainge was a role player surrounded by FOUR hall of famers.  To say he "gave us two championships" is overstating the case quite a bit.  The 84 and 86 titles are well represented by retiring #'s 00, 32, 33, and 3.

He can't match Walter Brown's founding the team, and, even if he proves to be the best GM ever, won't have Red's 9 coaching rings to go with it.  I can't see retiring "AINGE" as a non-player.

Being a key contributor to four championships seems to fit with the Celtics past criteria for retiring a number.

I mean, look at the non-stars who have their numbers retired.  Ced, DJ (only one all-star appearance with the Celts), Satch Sanders, Don Nelson, Frank Ramsey, KC Jones, Reggie Lewis, Loscy.  None of those guys were superstars, but they all have their numbers retired for their contributions.

[MaxwellSmart86]

After over 20 years of NOTHING in this town...Danny Ainge has made the Boston Celtics RELEVANT in the NBA again-!

Would you like to go back to Pitino/ML Carr/Gaston times?

#44 should be up there, not only because of his playing career and the past 3 years...He also helped Detroit win it 2004--Thus KEEPING a Title from the Lakers---I think Red would be Hoisting the Number right along side of Danny if he could-!

[Roy Hobbs]

Here's what Wyc said about retiring Danny's number before #17:

"It’s true," managing partner Wyc Grousbeck said Saturday. "It was a long time ago, and it was kind of a lighthearted thing, but I was completely serious about it. Danny declined the offer, but if we’re fortunate enough to win, we’ll be having that conversation again."

So, at this point, it seems like all Wyc wants is Danny's okay.

[Andy Jick]

For his contributions to championships as both a player a front office executive I would say yes...  Danny made the Celtics relevant again in an era that is NOT easy to turn wayward franchises around.

Remember that he did NOT leave on his own volition, but rather was traded to the Kings (thanks, Red) which was NBA hell at that time. 

I believe a trip to the NBA finals this year validates his spot in the rafters...

[MaxwellSmart86]

and, Danny turned this team around right after getting SHAFTED once again by the NBA Lottery SCAM---He didn't sit around and moan about it--like most of us...He went out and Turned the entire League on it's head with those 2 trades.

The league is a MUCH different place now---LA/Orl/Dallas and Clev have ALL made changes BECAUSE of what Danny Ainge did in the Summer of 2007.

[lon3lytoaster]

Put it up there tomorrow. He deserves it.

[More Banners]

You have to earn your way up in those rafters by doing something incredible. Not just really good.

Eh...  Isn't Ced's number retired?  He would seem to be in the "really good" category.  If Ainge gives us two championships as a starter and two championships as a GM, I'd say he's more than deserving.

Max was at least a finals MVP. I guess that's "really good," at least for a little while, when it counts.

Ainge was a role player surrounded by FOUR hall of famers.  To say he "gave us two championships" is overstating the case quite a bit.  The 84 and 86 titles are well represented by retiring #'s 00, 32, 33, and 3.

He can't match Walter Brown's founding the team, and, even if he proves to be the best GM ever, won't have Red's 9 coaching rings to go with it.  I can't see retiring "AINGE" as a non-player.

Being a key contributor to four championships seems to fit with the Celtics past criteria for retiring a number.

I mean, look at the non-stars who have their numbers retired.  Ced, DJ (only one all-star appearance with the Celts), Satch Sanders, Don Nelson, Frank Ramsey, KC Jones, Reggie Lewis, Loscy.  None of those guys were superstars, but they all have their numbers retired for their contributions.

Don't jinx us, Roy.  He hasn't contributed to 4 titles yet.

My opinion is that, except in incredibly unusual circumstances, only players go to the rafters.  Red fit that bill, not as a great GM, but for building the franchise nearly himself over decades as both coach and GM.  I don't see Danny as the next Red.  I highly doubt there will ever be one.

As a player, his Celtics resume bests only Reggie Lewis, though at least Reggie was the leader of the team for a too-short while.

Max had only two titles, but was a star on them (MVP).

DJ had only two Celtic titles, but was all-NBA defense for 4 straight years as a C, plus the all-star.  Ainge's all-star appearance was not as a Celtic.

Those guys you mentioned as non-stars all (except Satch with 5) have more rings than Michael **** Jordan and played their whole careers in Boston.

I just don't see Ainge's Celtic accomplishments matching up with any retired numbered player, and nowhere near Red Auerbach as a GM.