I trust Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, and I trust Celtics coach Doc Rivers. Still to this day, it amazes me how people were jumping down Ainge’s throat while he was in the midst of constructing a foundation for this team to be built on. You have to admit, when he came here, he was given a 100-year-old foundation that was destroyed by a one-man wrecking crew (Rick Pitino).

I know that Danny has made some unpopular moves in the past, especially when he traded forward Antoine Walker and guard Tony Delk to the Dallas Mavericks for center Raef LaFrentz, guard Jiri Welsch and forward Chris Mills during his inaugural 2003 campaign. But if you look back at it, he did what he needed to do; the combo of Walker and forward Paul Pierce was done, extinguished and downright tiresome. He also made a draft day trade in 2003 to get center Kendrick Perkins and point guard Marcus Banks from the Memphis Grizzlies.

In 2003, the trade of forwards Eric Williams and Kedrick Brown and center Tony Battie to the Cleveland Cavaliers for center Chris Mihm, guard Ricky Davis and salary dump Michael Stewart was deemed a fairly brilliant move. Davis at the time was a true scorer and still is, just not for us.

In 2004, he drafted forward Al Jefferson and guards Tony Allen and Delonte West.  He eventually traded for Gary Payton, and then used Payton in the reacquisition of Antoine in 2005.

In 2005, he grabbed Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes in the draft. Can you see the pieces building?

In 2006, he traded Davis, Banks, forward Justin Reed, center Mark Blount and two future second-round picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guard Wally Szczerbiak, center Michael Olowokandi and Dwayne Jones.  In the draft, he traded guard Dan Dickau, LaFrentz and the draft rights to Randy Foye to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Sebastian Telfair, center Theo Ratliff and a 2008 second-round pick. He then traded a future first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for the drafts rights to Rajon Rondo. Then traded a future second-round pick to the Denver Nuggets for the draft rights to forward Leon Powe.

In 2007, he traded West, Wally and the fifth overall pick (Jeff Green) to the Seattle Supersonics for guard Ray Allen and the 35th overall pick (Glen “Big Baby” Davis). He then traded Telfair, Gerald Green, Gomes, Jefferson, Ratliff, two first-round picks and cash for uber forward Kevin Garnett. Then he made the midseason signings of forward P.J. Brown and guard Sam Cassell to fortify an already strong roster.

Listen, Doc and Danny know what it takes to win. Once Danny had the pieces in place, the C’s started to win. I don’t know what this season will bring, hopefully a championship of course. But look at what is in front of you right now. This franchise was in such turmoil that it took Danny five years to rebuild. He signed Doc, he knew Doc could coach, now as we approach Game 3 against the Cavs in the second-round of the 2008 playoffs; Doc has devised a specific rotation that is absolutely capable of dismantling anyone. But there are still doubters, which is more than fine.

Take a look of what you have on the floor. You have a starting lineup that is capable of monumental things. Ainge signed players like forward James Posey, guard Eddie House, Cassell and Brown to play complimentary and productive roles. I would like to see House a bit more, but whatever it takes to win, Danny and Doc will do. Danny has surrounded the “Big Three” and Doc with players that can win, and have in the past.

Doc is using guys that fit specific roles. For instance, if there is a low-post, 6-foot-7 banger grabbing boards and sinking hook shots all night. Doc will throw in Big Baby, P.J. and “Perk.” A rotation that will attack the player and throw three different looks at him, then the next night, Davis and Brown may not even see the floor.

What I’m getting at here is that Danny and Doc must be trusted. They got the Celtics this far, so why wouldn’t we? Trust these guys folks, look at the 16 banners flowing in the in-house breeze and think positive. Don’t question these guys, winning is a culture in this town, and the Celtics know this. They will give it their all, so just sit back and enjoy, but most of all, just trust.

One Response to “In Danny and Doc We Trust”

1. Kevin Says:
   May 10th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

   Well, I got to agree thah it’s time we all give Danny Ainge some much deserved credit. Although it’s ultimately the player’s who decide win’s and losses, let’s not forget that the person who’s in charge of shopping for the groceries has a pretty important job. Danny Ainge has certainly done a great job at that. GO CELTICS!

Leave a Comment