Danny Ainge, not enough credit

[DesertDweller]

I think back to when Ainge was playing ball and the only picture I get is this whining kid that not a lot of people liked. good ball player but he just got under everyone's skin with his constant complaining.  there is no way I can picture this kid having accomplished what he has as President of Basketball Operations. if you think about it, Ainge has made phenomonal moves. I have to think his best move was Brad Stevens. after all could you picture these guys being coached by Doc. not taking anything away from DR but could you imagine the fiasco!!! just one year of Doc screaming at these kids and they might all have given up playing basketball.
And then he finds all this young talent that buys into what Brad is selling 100%. Ainge has only one more accomplishment to make, bring in to the mix a superstar and this team will be another legend......thanks Danny

[LarBrd33]

There isn't another GM in the league that I'd rather have running this team.  I have all the faith in the world in that guy.   Love his moves.  He can have that job for life for all I care.   If there's a way to get this team to contender status, he'll figure it out.

I think if Ainge quit the Celtics right now and made himself available on the open market, he'd probably get the most lucrative GM contract in history.  He's one of the only GM's in history to have taken over a dead-end team, given the whole (we hope to contend in 3-5 years) plan... and actually managed to win a title in year 4 of his tenure. 

We're currently sitting on a team that can threaten to win 50 games this year... and has what likely will be a top 10 draft pick via Brooklyn.   He's doing an outstanding job.

[arctic 3.0]

Let's create a "President of Basketball Operations" avatar and all give him a tommy point

[tarheelsxxiii]

I'm picturing a holiday card with all of the CsBloggers' avatars/names on the cover, surrounding a warm fireplace (or 6). It opens to a list of all his transactions we are grateful for. On the back, a subliminal message begging for a star in the oddest of ways (e.g. immaculate conception).

[thirstyboots18]

I am almost ready to eat crow, but not quite yet.  Danny has put together a group that plays hard, coached by a man they listen to.  I like this young team.  I am not sure that he couldn't have done the same without slashing "life" Celtics like PP but maybe he did it the only way.  My oven is preheating, BUT as much as I like the team, I am still waiting for the trade shoe to drop yet again, and thus far they have not done anything...not even win one game in the post season.  Hopefully if he does make another trade it will not have the disruptive effect that the K. Perkins trade had.   (What has happened to me?  I used to be the eternal optimist.)

[Surferdad]

Ainge is a very good GM and his trades have been quite good. However, his draft record has a few clunkers:  Fab Melo, JR Giddins...

[86MaxwellSmart]

Ainge is a very good GM and his trades have been quite good. However, his draft record has a few clunkers:  Fab Melo, JR Giddins...

Just about to post the same thing--I think he needs to hire someone who can evaluate Young Talent better than him...He has missed a TON of guys...But his trades have been quite good---except for that Perkins deal---which derailed a sure fire Championship team...the Chemistry on that team was unequaled---and he screwed it up-!

[LarBrd33]

Ainge is a very good GM and his trades have been quite good. However, his draft record has a few clunkers:  Fab Melo, JR Giddins...

Yeah, but you can't hold late-round picks against him.  That's always a crap shoot. And considering that arguably the best player we have taken during his tenure, Rajon Rondo, was taken with a late round pick, I'd say it makes up for a few predictable clunkers.   

It's when a GM whiffs on top 5 picks in decent drafts that you should hold it against them.   Marcus Smart is one of the highest picks Ainge has ever had.  It was a bit bold at #6 and so far Smart's been disappointing, but it's early... and it's not like the guy taken after him is lighting the world on fire yet.

[aingeforthree]

Ainge is a very good GM and his trades have been quite good. However, his draft record has a few clunkers:  Fab Melo, JR Giddins...

Just about to post the same thing--I think he needs to hire someone who can evaluate Young Talent better than him...He has missed a TON of guys...But his trades have been quite good---except for that Perkins deal---which derailed a sure fire Championship team...the Chemistry on that team was unequaled---and he screwed it up-!

He's done one heckuva job in every aspect.  Coaches hired, drafts, and trades.  He's a helluva GM

[mctyson]

There isn't another GM in the league that I'd rather have running this team.  I have all the faith in the world in that guy.   Love his moves.  He can have that job for life for all I care.   If there's a way to get this team to contender status, he'll figure it out.

I think if Ainge quit the Celtics right now and made himself available on the open market, he'd probably get the most lucrative GM contract in history.  He's one of the only GM's in history to have taken over a dead-end team, given the whole (we hope to contend in 3-5 years) plan... and actually managed to win a title in year 4 of his tenure. 

We're currently sitting on a team that can threaten to win 50 games this year... and has what likely will be a top 10 draft pick via Brooklyn.   He's doing an outstanding job.

I completely agree 100% and you get a TP.

[mctyson]

Ainge is a very good GM and his trades have been quite good. However, his draft record has a few clunkers:  Fab Melo, JR Giddins...

JR Giddens was a pick in the 30s. Most of those guys never make the league. Come on dude.

If there is one pick people could criticize Ainge over, it would be Marcus Banks.  And even he had NBA defensive ability and stayed in the league for a little while.  I would also criticize the Telfair trade as bad move.

[JSD]

There isn't another GM in the league that I'd rather have running this team.  I have all the faith in the world in that guy.   Love his moves.  He can have that job for life for all I care.   If there's a way to get this team to contender status, he'll figure it out.

I think if Ainge quit the Celtics right now and made himself available on the open market, he'd probably get the most lucrative GM contract in history.  He's one of the only GM's in history to have taken over a dead-end team, given the whole (we hope to contend in 3-5 years) plan... and actually managed to win a title in year 4 of his tenure. 

We're currently sitting on a team that can threaten to win 50 games this year... and has what likely will be a top 10 draft pick via Brooklyn.   He's doing an outstanding job.

Wouldn't you have preferred Hinkies approach, like, two weeks ago?

[spikelovetheCelts]

Ainge is a very good GM and his trades have been quite good. However, his draft record has a few clunkers:  Fab Melo, JR Giddins...

Bradley and Sully. KO and this year have been great. Young is showing promise too. If he can get something for zeller and Lee this year we will be on our way. I believe Cousins will be coming too.
In Danny i trust.

[LarBrd33]

There isn't another GM in the league that I'd rather have running this team.  I have all the faith in the world in that guy.   Love his moves.  He can have that job for life for all I care.   If there's a way to get this team to contender status, he'll figure it out.

I think if Ainge quit the Celtics right now and made himself available on the open market, he'd probably get the most lucrative GM contract in history.  He's one of the only GM's in history to have taken over a dead-end team, given the whole (we hope to contend in 3-5 years) plan... and actually managed to win a title in year 4 of his tenure. 

We're currently sitting on a team that can threaten to win 50 games this year... and has what likely will be a top 10 draft pick via Brooklyn.   He's doing an outstanding job.

Wouldn't you have preferred Hinkies approach, like, two weeks ago?

I have never lost faith in Ainge.   Check my post history... always been a huge fan.   And it's not like the Celtics haven't tanked.  HOw you figure we got Marcus Smart?   I think Ainge would have preferred to see this team end up with a top pick last year as well (hence trading away our two best players and almost all of our vets... classic tankjob moves), but Brad was a miracle worker.  What ya gonna do?   The good news was that it kept Brad happy... so hopefully that will pay long term dividends. 

[chambers]

I think back to when Ainge was playing ball and the only picture I get is this whining kid that not a lot of people liked. good ball player but he just got under everyone's skin with his constant complaining.  there is no way I can picture this kid having accomplished what he has as President of Basketball Operations. if you think about it, Ainge has made phenomonal moves. I have to think his best move was Brad Stevens. after all could you picture these guys being coached by Doc. not taking anything away from DR but could you imagine the fiasco!!! just one year of Doc screaming at these kids and they might all have given up playing basketball.
And then he finds all this young talent that buys into what Brad is selling 100%. Ainge has only one more accomplishment to make, bring in to the mix a superstar and this team will be another legend......thanks Danny

TP for truth.
We are blessed to have a semi genius/haggler GM and a genius coach.
They're both so competitive and it oozes from the front office down to the sidelines....
Winning a championship is the only thing that matters to these basketball nuts.