Bob Ryan Interviews Danny Ainge

[Emmette Bryant]

It's over an hour but it's well worth the listen

https://soundcloud.com/user-724564135/season-2-episode-12-danny-ainge

[Roy H.]

Any highlights? 

[Emmette Bryant]

Danny says that Kevin McHale would have been a terrific stretch 4 and Larry Bird would have shot more 3's and that team would have won NBA championships in the present time.

[Eddie20]

Any highlights?

Yeah, Ainge had this on Isaiah, which is basically what we've been saying all along.


I love Isaiah's personality and I though the Brinks truck comments were hilarious. I honestly think the kind of year he had this past year he's worth a lot. He should be paid and if he can continue that type of play going forward he will be paid. That's the big question, going forward. It's not my job, it's not in the best interest of the Celtics, to pay players on past performance, but pay them on what we feel like they could do going forward.

[Mike Pemulis]

Ted Turner wanted him to play for the Braves and Hawks.

[GreenFaith1819]

Danny says that Kevin McHale would have been a terrific stretch 4 and Larry Bird would have shot more 3's and that team would have won NBA championships in the present time.

The thought of Kevin McHale perched on the perimeter jacking threes sickens me.

I'd rather keep my memories of him to THIS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdtgUOiWHJg

It would've been an abuse of his vast skills to have him as a stretch 4.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Any highlights?

Yeah, Ainge had this on Isaiah, which is basically what we've been saying all along.


I love Isaiah's personality and I though the Brinks truck comments were hilarious. I honestly think think the kind of year he had this past year he's worth a lot. He should be paid and if he can continue that type of play going forward he will be paid. That's the big question going forward. It's not my job, it's not in the best interest of the Celtics, to pay players on past performance, but pay them on what we feel like they could do going forward.

It's going to be hard for anyone to match that season anyway but there was no way he could when we added more talent in GH. Then you add on health uncertainty and age? DA is more than likely going to be proven correct. I still wish IT4 was healthy and we didn't have to add as much as we did. IT4+ money fillers for Kyrie was never a problem for me.

[hpantazo]

Danny says that Kevin McHale would have been a terrific stretch 4 and Larry Bird would have shot more 3's and that team would have won NBA championships in the present time.

Larry Bird would have been totally unstoppable in today's NBA. Considering the physicality he put up with on a regular basis, and the emphasis on inside play, its amazing he accomplished as much as he did, and it is clear that he would tear apart the modern NBA if he were in his prime now.

[dmopower]

Danny says that Kevin McHale would have been a terrific stretch 4 and Larry Bird would have shot more 3's and that team would have won NBA championships in the present time.

The thought of Kevin McHale perched on the perimeter jacking threes sickens me.

I'd rather keep my memories of him to THIS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdtgUOiWHJg

It would've been an abuse of his vast skills to have him as a stretch 4.

 TP  Great video.  There is a place in todays NBA for a guy like McHale if there were anyone like McHale around.

[Eddie20]

Danny says that Kevin McHale would have been a terrific stretch 4 and Larry Bird would have shot more 3's and that team would have won NBA championships in the present time.

The thought of Kevin McHale perched on the perimeter jacking threes sickens me.

I'd rather keep my memories of him to THIS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdtgUOiWHJg

It would've been an abuse of his vast skills to have him as a stretch 4.

I disagree, it would've made him better. Plus, it would've created better spacing for teammates when he was off the ball.

In the 2 seasons he shot a good amount of them (106) he made 38 of them for a solid 35.8%. Now imagine him practicing them with regularity and shooting them from the shorter corners. You can't put a wing on him because he'll kill them in the post, but then you'll be faced with him stretching out a big to the 3PT line.