We are one of the VERY VERY few teams that have a "REAL PLAN", with still staying competitive and trying to bring in new players . Most of these teams I see have NO DIRECTION, but do all kinds of crazy moves to get a bunch of players together that don't really make up a ..."TEAM"
We have a SYSTEM , not a shoot at hip thrown a bunch of big name players together and see what happens.
oh, you mean the way Danny used to run things before he lucked into acquiring Kevin Garnett - KG is the one who has brought stability and demanded a team-first attitude, not Danny Trade-O-Matic Ainge.
I don't think Danny lucked into acquiring KG. If I'm not mistaken, as others have noted on here before - Danny drafted well (Big Al, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, etc)..built those prospects up until they drew interest.
Then he pulled the trigger on Two Trades:
First, we got the 5th pick in the 07-08 draft - which he decided to trade for Ray Allen.
The amazing thing is that we NOW have Jeff Green back.
Then, once Ray was here, KG agreed to come. Thus, Danny pulled the trigger on trading Big Al and Co to Minny for him. Don't forget that Big Al was looking VERY good after his 16 pts and 11 reb season that year prior to the trade.
We have Sullinger, which was a top 5 prospect until his alleged back issues. Sully will contribute significantly this season - especially since he SHOULD have a HUGE chip on his shoulder.
Fab Melo will see some time, too - especially with Stiem being gone more than likely. Throw in Kris Joseph and the fact that he's showed some promise, and Danny's done well, IMO.
Throw in how E'Twuan has looked this Summer League and JJ's potential, as well.
Danny's done well, and it continues. I dislike the fallout with this Ray Allen mess, and the Perk trade had me sore for a min, but the team is heading in the right direction.
Looking back, Danny did absolutely the RIGHT thing. Even IF we would've rcvd the 1st or 2nd pick that year, Neither a healthy Greg Oden nor a Kevin Durant were going to get us Banner 17 - that year or even the next year.
Neither of these guys are KG. Neither of them command the same presence as KG - yet. We'd be a happy "Playoff" team with either of those two, but not contenders - even now.
We'd still be sitting on Banner 16 if it wasn't for some moves made by Danny.