(09/28/2012 – Waltham, MA) Danny Ainge speaks to the media at the Celtics media day at HealthPoint in Waltham Friday afternoon. (092812celtstbc – Photo by Tara Carvalho.)
Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“Right now, we’re trying to become a better team as fast as we can without selling out. I guess that’s the best way to put it,” Ainge said on Sports Final. “We want to become a more significant team this upcoming year. And, at the same time, we want to build something that’s sustainable for a longer period of time.
“I think that that’s my job in the organization. I think that ownership would like to see something happen faster. I know my coaches would like to see something faster. I know my players want to see something faster. I’ve been in their positions and I get it. I want to see something faster, too. But I just have to protect us from doing something irrational, just to get a little bit better…”
“There are just too many examples of really good players that the fans haven’t been excited about on draft day. Last year, I remember [Kristaps] Porzingis was drafted in New York and they were booing all over the place and you’re like, ‘Well, why would they be booing so much on Porzingis?’ When you draft players, I remember when I was in Phoenix and we drafted Steve Nash and we were booed. I remember [the Suns fans] booed when Dan Majerle was drafted in Phoenix. … You can’t base any of your decisions based on what the public thinks and based on what other people think you should do.”
Will I be happy if the Celtics take Dragan Bender with the #3 pick? Absolutely not. As a man of advanced age, patience is no longer a virtue. I want Banner 18 and I want it now!
Ever since Ainge jettisoned Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett for the Nets cache of draft picks, I’ve been waiting for the blockbuster trade of blockbuster trades. Some combination of draft picks and young players that nets us the next face of the franchise.
We’re on the precipice of an extremely important summer in Celtics history. Or are we? What if the moves are more incremental than blockbuster? Eeks… I don’t even want to think about it. It’s akin to waking up Christmas morning and being told, “We’re going to open gifts next year.”
As Ainge says, he can’t and won’t do anything irrational. Would you be happy if Demar DeRozan and Dwight Howard are wearing green next year? I wouldn’t.
So here’s to a patient and rational rebuild. Exhale.
Related links: CSNNE – China’s Zhou Qi intriguing option for Cs
On Page 2, the Raptors won’t go down quietly.
Despite a monster effort from LeBron James, the Raptors won game 4 and tied this series at 2.
The series is competitive but I refuse to believe the Cavs end up on the losing end.
