Author Topic: Ainge doing work the last three years  (Read 3831 times)

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Re: Ainge doing work the last three years
« Reply #15 on: September 17, 2016, 08:16:31 PM »

Offline LarBrd33

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Ainge is the best GM in the game.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Just curious, would you still feel that way if Hinkie was still with the Sixers?
I've never actually thought Hinkie was the best GM, though I've jokingly embraced the idea that I'm a Hinkie fanatic, because some of the obnoxious brats on this forum will not stop trolling me about it.  It's not even clear if he was Top 10.  I just think what they did in Philly was defensible and can't be properly judged yet.  I've said it before... I think Hinkie did a great job at what he set out to do.  I'm sure others could do what Hinkie did in Philly.  On the flip side, I don't think anyone else could do what Ainge has done in Boston. 

I give Hinkie an A+ on asset acquisition, though he was allowed the opportunity to acquire assets in that method, because Philly ownership supported a full-scale multi-year tank job.  We never got a chance to see how Hinkie performed at actual team-building, because he stepped down before the team transitioned to that next stage.  Really, my fascination with Philly has very little to do with Sam Hinkie.  I respect that the team decided their best way to have a chance at long-term success was to fully embrace a broken system that rewards losing.  Hinkie was merely the puppet (and eventual fall-guy/scapegoat) to Philly's plan.  That plan might have worked beautifully... we will not know for like 2-5 years.

Ainge, on the other hand, has proven completely capable of both asset acquistion and team-building and he's done so on a team that hasn't afforded him the luxury of full-scale multi-year tanking (though they have, at times, supported it).  He's an adaptable GM who knows how to make the most of every situation.   No doubt, Ainge himself fully understands the value of tanking.  We blatantly tanked 2006-07 to limited results (missed out on the top prizes, but utilized #5 as a key trade asset in a championship-building Summer).  We tanked again in 2013-14 to limited results (Marcus Smart was our reward).  I'm entirely convinced we wanted to bottom out again in 2014-15, but we accidentally made the playoffs (in-part, because Ainge jumped at an opportunity to snag Thomas for cheap even though it negated his tanking efforts).    Still, Ainge makes the most of the situation and has built a highly competitive team with an extremely bright future thanks to that Brooklyn trade (which might go down as one of the greatest trades in NBA history). 

I wouldn't want anyone other than Ainge running this team.  Best GM in the world as far as I'm concerned.  The only red mark on his tenure is that his abilities as a drafter are questionable.  The success/failure of Jaylen Brown will go a long way towards determining Danny's legacy as a draft guru (the pick was widely seen as a bit of a reach, but if it works out Ainge will be hailed a genius).   Still, I think Ainge built up enough goodwill with his late-round selections (guys like Rondo) that I'm ok with a few mid-to-late 1st round duds.   Even if Smart and Brown fail to live up to expectations, Ainge has built up enough points via incredible roster management and savvy trades that it hardly matters.   He's an outstanding GM.

« Last Edit: September 17, 2016, 08:38:50 PM by LarBrd33 »

Re: Ainge doing work the last three years
« Reply #16 on: September 18, 2016, 08:55:19 AM »

Offline Surferdad

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Ainge is the best GM in the game.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Just curious, would you still feel that way if Hinkie was still with the Sixers?
I've never actually thought Hinkie was the best GM, though I've jokingly embraced the idea that I'm a Hinkie fanatic, because some of the obnoxious brats on this forum will not stop trolling me about it.  It's not even clear if he was Top 10.  I just think what they did in Philly was defensible and can't be properly judged yet.  I've said it before... I think Hinkie did a great job at what he set out to do.  I'm sure others could do what Hinkie did in Philly.  On the flip side, I don't think anyone else could do what Ainge has done in Boston. 

I give Hinkie an A+ on asset acquisition, though he was allowed the opportunity to acquire assets in that method, because Philly ownership supported a full-scale multi-year tank job.  We never got a chance to see how Hinkie performed at actual team-building, because he stepped down before the team transitioned to that next stage.  Really, my fascination with Philly has very little to do with Sam Hinkie.  I respect that the team decided their best way to have a chance at long-term success was to fully embrace a broken system that rewards losing.  Hinkie was merely the puppet (and eventual fall-guy/scapegoat) to Philly's plan.  That plan might have worked beautifully... we will not know for like 2-5 years.

Ainge, on the other hand, has proven completely capable of both asset acquistion and team-building and he's done so on a team that hasn't afforded him the luxury of full-scale multi-year tanking (though they have, at times, supported it).  He's an adaptable GM who knows how to make the most of every situation.   No doubt, Ainge himself fully understands the value of tanking.  We blatantly tanked 2006-07 to limited results (missed out on the top prizes, but utilized #5 as a key trade asset in a championship-building Summer).  We tanked again in 2013-14 to limited results (Marcus Smart was our reward).  I'm entirely convinced we wanted to bottom out again in 2014-15, but we accidentally made the playoffs (in-part, because Ainge jumped at an opportunity to snag Thomas for cheap even though it negated his tanking efforts).    Still, Ainge makes the most of the situation and has built a highly competitive team with an extremely bright future thanks to that Brooklyn trade (which might go down as one of the greatest trades in NBA history). 

I wouldn't want anyone other than Ainge running this team.  Best GM in the world as far as I'm concerned.  The only red mark on his tenure is that his abilities as a drafter are questionable.  The success/failure of Jaylen Brown will go a long way towards determining Danny's legacy as a draft guru (the pick was widely seen as a bit of a reach, but if it works out Ainge will be hailed a genius).   Still, I think Ainge built up enough goodwill with his late-round selections (guys like Rondo) that I'm ok with a few mid-to-late 1st round duds.   Even if Smart and Brown fail to live up to expectations, Ainge has built up enough points via incredible roster management and savvy trades that it hardly matters.   He's an outstanding GM.
Mostly agree LarBrd, Ainge is >> Hinkie as a GM and it starts with choosing Brad Stevens as a coach.  I would only point out that Hinkie had nothing even close in talent to Pierce/KG/Rondo to trade for assets.

Re: Ainge doing work the last three years
« Reply #17 on: September 18, 2016, 11:44:38 AM »

Offline clover

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"Crowder plus assets?"

IT still looking for due respect here.