Did you read this article http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...7p-156616c.html I know it is New York paper but I didn't realize he was really willing to trade Pierce.
That link opens to the main page of the NY Daily News. I'm not going to search for it, but will take an educated guess at the context: Danny Ainge has openly said since he got here that there is no one that is untradeable. He said it was not a slight towards anyone on the roster, but justified the comment that in order for him to most effectively do his job, he has to keep the best interests of the team in mind first. So therefore, without directly saying it out loud in those exact words, he did in fact indicate that Paul Pierce is available like everyone else. His price is most likely fairly steep in Danny's consideration and rightly so. But Danny feels that no one player can be put above the needs of the team and if those needs say that he should trade him, then he will. I can't imagine Paul forcing a trade without waiting to see how things go next year. Making a move like that would be clearly premature on his part. If Danny actually got an offer for him, I can't imagine it not being for some very <u><font size="4">big</font></u> considerations. If the article alludes to any specific trades offers, then I would probably say that those are manufactured, as I've never heard of any concrete offers ever reaching the public.
I miss the old Celtics with Antoine, Williams, Battie, etc. Danny Ainge really messed up this team. Then again, I don't follow the Celtics alot like I'm sure most of you do but I do know that this team was indeed much better before Ainge came in and took control.
Pierce used to love Boston and the Celtics, and now so much that he loved about it is gone. I wouldn't blame him for asking for a trade, and I know that Ainge will trade just about anybody. His rebuilding project probably centers around Pierce, though, and I think that if he'll get some better players in the offseason to play around Paul, he can keep him happy. Right now, I wouldn't say Pierce is on the trading block.
<font size="4">Can we all agree now that Danny Ainge is a moron??</font> Don't try and explain this rebuilding for the draft bs now. If Danny Ainge trades away Paul Pierce it would be one of the greatest mistakes in Celtics history (as much history as there is). Paul Pierce is not only the heart and soul of the Celtics, he is a special player. One that plays offence and defense with the same type of energy and has big enough balls to take over games when it is needed. The Truth is only 26 years old and has the talent to be even better than he is. I really want to know what Danny Ainge is thinking. Or is he just playing to the hand of the owners in Boston? But it will be a crime if Pierce is traded away. He does nothing but bleed Green and white. Teams wait decades to have someone like him in their organization and just because one team wants to tank their season they find him expendable? Awful, the owners and Danny Ainge should be ashamed of themselves. Here is a scenario that I would find perfect for Boston: Trade away Pierce to Toronto. We'll give you all of the draft picks you need. If Boston really wants to tank so bad then trade him to us. We won't mind one bit.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Can we all agree now that Danny Ainge is a moron?? </div> NO, we can't. <font color="DarkRed"><font size="1">(and you're in the minority in that thinking, btw)</font></font>
I'm in the minority? I know you are being sarcastic now. I may be on the outside looking in (due to the fact that I'm not really that much of a Celts fan) but am I the only one that thinks the Celtics should build around Paul Pierce and not trade him away to get a high draft pick? If I am then so be it...but I'm not and there is a lot people out there just like me. First of all, Danny Ainge made moves that he thought would help his team improve. That didn't happen (except for the Ricky Davis trade, although that could go either way). When that didn't happen he made this rant about wanting to have a lottery pick and tanking the season. But Danny Ainge couldn't even tank a season correctly. The Celtics make it to the playoffs and now there are rumours about Danny trading away their star player? C'mon Hagrid. Being the Boston fan that you are, would you want a GM for your team to purposefully tank a season just to get a lottery pick? He trade's away players to improve his team but when it doesn't work out say that he's rebuilding. I'm sorry to say this but Danny is a shady character.
And this is big news because....? Ainge has said he's willing to trade anyone at any time. I've known that Pierce could be traded from the day he traded Walker. I really like Pierce but for the right offer anyone can be traded, you never know Kobe is gonna be a free agent, a sign and trade is possible. I doubt Pierce or any superstar is going to be traded, I don't think Ainge will trade away the teams most popular player a year after he traded away the teams leader.
OK first: Don't use the word tank. It didn't happen and your opinion of what he did doesn't make it fact. Calling him a moron is your right, but at this point, I still support him. This is about Ainge, not this non-sense that Pierce might be traded. If you know the story then you know that he clearly explained his comments. This team had to change directions, that was fact. Do I agree with every facet of every move he's made thus far? No, I don't. However, He gets the benefit of the doubt at this point, because sufficient time has not passed in his tenure for him to put all the pieces of his restructuring plan in place. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He trade's away players to improve his team but when it doesn't work out say that he's rebuilding</div> My previous point stands. Do you actually think you can find a way to spin this situation to dictate anything other than what DA has made clear since he started this all: Sometimes you gotta take a step back, to go forward.? If you can, then feel free, I'll sit back and enjoy the show. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sorry to say this but Danny is a shady character.</div> Name me someone in his position that isn't. It's part of the job. We have barely begun to see him start to assemble the pieces of his plan. Right now, simply dismissing him as a moron without afforing him sufficient time to prove he's not, is not a wise course of action, IMO.
I don't think Ainge is a moron, but I don't really understand what he's doing right now. I can see what he wants, though, and I know we all want the same thing. He just took a few too many steps back, if you ask me. He understood that trades needed to be made, but he hasn't gotten the best out of these trades. He should have been going for high draft picks instead of mediocre players, especially since he says he'd rather the Celtics missed the playoffs. That's about all I don't like about him; he says one thing but he does another. It takes a lot of trust to think he's going somewhere with this, but he deserves the benefit of the doubt, at least for another year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If Danny Ainge was the Bulls GM when MJ was in his prime he would probaly trade him.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">If Danny Ainge was the Bulls GM when MJ was in his prime he would probaly trade him.</div> I totally agree....
Ainge must have done something right if they made the playoffs this year. He aquired a better pg in Chucky Atkins, with only giving away Mike James. I'd say that was a nice move. Ricky Davis (although seemed to be a mistake) wasn't one at all. Arguably the best 6th man in the east. He aquired a young center, Chris Mihm. With a solid off season, he could be a huge factor in the post in the future. Ainge is thinking future, not win it all now. Not making the playoffs would have helped this team rebuild other than making it and trading Pierce tho.
You're wasting your breath Mr_Infante. Those who only live in the present will take all kinds of solice in the fact that the Celtics presently are vastly underachieving. Our solice lies in the fact that thier team has never won a championship and this year will be no exception. You know why the Pacer official site has no history link? Because they have none. Let them relish in this mometary victory and let them taunt, harrass and make all the inane comments they want, because when all is said and done, they will be in the same place they always have been: Nothing more than a footnote in the history of the NBA.
Danny Ainge is a moron? Why? Is it because he's rebuilding a successful franchise? How can you even judge his success at this point? HE'S REBUILDING! This isn't likely to be his final roster or his final coaching staff, infact he's probably another season or two from reaching that point. Yet people are already saying it's a failure, and I honestly don't understand that theory because it's entirely too early. Rebuilding is setting your team in the right direction, primarily for the future. Look at what Danny Ainge as done thus far. He's stockpiled young talent (Welsch, Banks, Hunter, Mihm, Perkins, etc.) he's stockpiled draft picks (3 first round selections this summer), and he's still got his team in the playoffs! Where's the downside to this? He still has his franchise player, their cap is still relatively low, and he's doing all the right things to set this franchise up for success in the future. What's the problem? As for Pierce, I would hope Ainge was willing to listen to trades involving Pierce. You never know what teams are willing to move, and when your rebuilding it's a good thing to examine every option in the best interest of the team. Some teams in the league deal out more talent than they receive, whether it's because they're looking for draft selections, looking to move contracts, or whatever the situation is. If teams understand that your at least willing to listen to deals involving Pierce, than you certainly open up more options for your franchise and that's certainly a good thing.
Read my comments above. Danny Ainge does nothing but say things to cover his own behind. Now IF he trades Paul Pierce away instead of rebuilding around him I would consider him a moron. That is my opinion and I'll leave it at that. BTW Hagrid: I am not a Pacers fan. I'm an Artest fan. Thanks for the history lesson though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Danny Ainge is a moron? Why? Is it because he's rebuilding a successful franchise? How can you even judge his success at this point? HE'S REBUILDING! This isn't likely to be his final roster or his final coaching staff, infact he's probably another season or two from reaching that point. Yet people are already saying it's a failure, and I honestly don't understand that theory because it's entirely too early. Rebuilding is setting your team in the right direction, primarily for the future. Look at what Danny Ainge as done thus far. He's stockpiled young talent (Welsch, Banks, Hunter, Mihm, Perkins, etc.) he's stockpiled draft picks (3 first round selections this summer), and he's still got his team in the playoffs! Where's the downside to this? He still has his franchise player, their cap is still relatively low, and he's doing all the right things to set this franchise up for success in the future. What's the problem? As for Pierce, I would hope Ainge was willing to listen to trades involving Pierce. You never know what teams are willing to move, and when your rebuilding it's a good thing to examine every option in the best interest of the team. Some teams in the league deal out more talent than they receive, whether it's because they're looking for draft selections, looking to move contracts, or whatever the situation is. If teams understand that your at least willing to listen to deals involving Pierce, than you certainly open up more options for your franchise and that's certainly a good thing.</div> :thumbsup: :beerchug: Thank you for explaining this KJX3, I don't think anyone understands this. A team that's rebuilding ans has a lot of young players will get some playoff experience while still being able to rebuild with all their first round draft picks.
BC: First before they made the playoffs you said that aiming for a lottery pick is a good thing. And then you change you story later to say that the playoffs is a good thing not the lottery. And now you say that playoffs with young players is the way to go now? Why do you change stories so much? Me personally I would want to improve my team while still being competitive. Danny Ainge didn't have any idea these guys would make the playoffs in the first place after his trades. He could have kept Walker and built around him and Pierce while still improving his team to make it to the finals. I think he did those trades to improve his team but when it didn't work out at the beginning he made an excuse about rebuilding. I don't want to bring up the "what ifs" anymore. But I just don't agree with the major moves that Danny did (with the exception of Ricky....pending). BTW if Danny wanted to rebuild then why trade Mike James for Chucky Atkins? Doesn't this contradict what he's doing? Don't give me that veteran presence bull either. You guys HAVE a good young team right now. But I really believe in continous improvement rather than taking steps back. I can see where you are coming from but thats just not me. Danny Ainge could have improved his team while keeping a solid nucleus to go deep into the playoffs.
