Tag: Danny Ainge

How the Boston Celtics built the new Big Three and changed the NBA for years to come

Drawing on his time playing with Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, GM Danny Ainge brought together Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

At the start of summer in 2007, the Boston Celtics were a fun team that in no way reflected the greatness of the franchise’s storied past. But by the start of the 2007-08 NBA season, President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge had transformed the team into the juggernaut that would win the 2008 NBA championship.

Ainge had been a part of the team helmed by the last so-called big three in Celtics history, playing alongside Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. By adding future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to a third, Paul Pierce, Boston was back in business, and three-star super teams were back on the scene.

To tell you the tale of how it happened, the folks over at The Score put together this short documentary embedded below.

Follow us on Facebook and check out the Celtics Lab podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

[lawrence-related id=106168,106136,106166,106154,106158,106118]

[listicle id=106159]

[listicle id=106139]

[listicle id=106121]

[listicle id=106093]

Ray Allen wants us to remember Danny Ainge’s hand in hanging Banner 18

“People need to give credit to Danny Ainge,” said Allen.

The Boston Celtics are your 2024 NBA Champions. But we should not forget that former Celtics (and current Utah Jazz) President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge had a major hand in assembling some of the key parts that made it possible, including hiring the CURRENT Boston team president, Brad Stevens.

And 2008 title team member Ray Allen wants to make sure we remember that. Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso in a recent interview, the UConn alum said “People need to give credit to Danny Ainge,” said Allen. “Brad Stevens did a great job, but it doesn’t happen without Danny sending (fellow 2008 titlists) Paul (Pierce) and Kevin (Garnett) to (the Brooklyn Nets in a trade).

“That secured the future for the Celtics. They’re going to carry this team for the next 10 years,” he added.

“I love Jrue Holiday,” Allen shared. “He’s a mature leader. I love Derrick White there, too. Picking up (Kristaps) Porzingis was huge. You can tell that’s a team that really likes playing together.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Danny Ainge, Kendrick Perkins talk 2008 title team genesis, chemistry

Ex-Celtics team president Danny Ainge and former Celtics big man Kendrick Perkins spoke on the 2008 title team’s early days and chemistry.

Boston Celtics team president Danny Ainge appeared on ESPN’s “Hoop Streams” — hosted by Cassidy Hubbarth and joined by former Celtics center Kendrick Perkins and Amin Elhassan — to talk on Boston’s 2008 NBA Championship among several topics.

Spurred by Garnett’s Hall of Fame election, Hubbarth soon arrived at the foundation story of the “new Big Three”, as KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have been called in deference to the 1980s frontcourt trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Asked about the conversation in which the BYU product convinced the Big Ticket to accept a trade to Boston, Ainge replied at length.

“KG was very polite, letting me in his home,” began the former Celtics president.

To hear the historic conversation about the formation of the 2008 title team in full for yourself, take a look at the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Re-tracing how the Boston Celtics roster was constructed

How the Boston Celtics went from a young and rebuilding team to the most dominant roster in the NBA.

The Boston Celtics roster has the fingerprints of Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens. Ainge laid out the initial blueprint after receiving a haul of draft picks from the Brooklyn Nets in the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trade. He also drafted Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, three players who became the foundation of Boston’s roster.

Stevens took things a step further. He traded Smart as part of the Kristaps Porzingis deal. He reunited Al Horford with the Celtics after he had left in 2019. He also brought Jrue Holiday and Derrick White to Boston, forming the most versatile backcourt pairing in the NBA.

Both Stevens and Ainge deserve credit for their work in building a championship team over the years. In a recent video by ClutchPoints, the host looks at every step the Celtics took that led to their 2024 NBA Championship and to position themselves as a dominant force in the league for years to come.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/u5O2cKjGSiU

You can watch the vide by clicking on the embedded link above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387929]

Brad Stevens is a genius, but Danny Ainge deserves a Celtics championship ring, too

Danny Ainge started it, and Brad Stevens finished the job.

Years ago, while writing for this very website, I delivered an extremely cold take.

Back in 2019, I wondered if then-Celtics GM Danny Ainge ultimately botched the now-infamous Nets trade that built what is now an NBA title-winning team.

Obviously, he didn’t. But you had to wonder back then if the Celtics should have traded one of their young centerpieces for, say, Paul George as an all-in move.

But sometimes, it’s the moves you DON’T make that win championships. And Ainge refused to deal Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, sticking with a long-term plan that banked on both of them becoming stars (and maybe even superstars).

Sure, the Kyrie Irving trade didn’t work out before Ainge left for the Utah Jazz, but then came Brad Stevens moving from the bench to the front office, where he brought back Al Horford, dealt for Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and the rest is history.

But let’s give Ainge his flowers too. I’m not the only one who feels that way:

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1373]

 

 

Robert Parish on the Boston Celtics’ only letdown in the 1986 championship

As odd as it sounds, we know it is true after hearing it from one of the key members of the team, Hall of Fame Boston big man Robert Parish.

The 1985-86 Boston Celtics are widely considered to have been one of the best (if not THE best) full-season and playoffs ball clubs to have been assembled in the nearly eight-decade history of the league. And you will find few analysts or fans of the team who would elevate another season’s roster and results above them in the hierarchy of greatest Celtics squads of all time.

But even after having said all of this, there are still some things about that team that members of that historic squad have letdowns to look back on. As odd as it may sound, we know it is true after hearing it from one of the key members of the team, Hall of Fame Boston big man Robert Parish.

Chief broke down the story on a recent episode of the “NBA History and Storytellers” show vial CLNS Media. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Danny Ainge reflects on the late Bill Walton

Former Boston Celtics champion Danny Ainge reflected on the legacy of Bill Walton during a recent appearance on SportsCenter.

Bill Walton won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1986. He spent the final two years of his career with the franchise, playing a total of 90 regular-season games and making 28 postseason appearances. Walton passed away on Monday (May 27) after a battle with cancer; he was 71 years old.

In a recent appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, former Celtics President of Basketball Operation Danny Ainge reflected on the life and legacy of his former teammate and friend. Ainge was part of the 86 Celtics that Walton helped to a championship. They remained friends throughout their retirement.

Walton leaves behind a legacy. Not just as an elite basketball player but as a man that lived his life to the fullest at every moment. And as somebody who always held an intense love for the game of basketball.

You can watch Ainge’s reflection on Walton’s life and basketball career by clicking on the embedded link above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387045]

Report: Avery Bradley joining Utah Jazz front office

Bradley will join the Utah Jazz front office helmed by Jazz team president Danny Ainge, who drafted Bradley for the Celtics.

Former Boston Celtics shooting guard Avery Bradley is making the leap to the other side of the clipboard with an old friend from his days with the Celtics, according to recent reporting from Deseret News’ Sarah Todd. Bradley will join the Utah Jazz front office helmed by Jazz team president Danny Ainge, who drafted Bradley for the Celtics.

The former Boston shooting guard will be Utah’s new vice president of player development, and has been around the team since at least December, per Todd. “Avery Bradley is somebody that I’ve developed a relationship with, and he obviously played for Danny (Ainge). He’s somebody that wanted to come spend some time and see what we’ve got going on,” said Jazz head coach Will Hardy at that time.

“It’s good to have him in the gym hanging out with the guys and hanging out with the coaching staff,” added Hardy. “It’s good to have him in the gym hanging out with the guys and hanging out with the coaching staff.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Tom Thibodeau give Boston Celtics alumni tribute to Mike Gorman

Current and former members of the Celtics put together a video tribute to Gorman’s time calling the storied ball club. 

On this past Sunday (April 12), Hall of Fame Boston Celtics broadcaster Mike Gorman was feted by the city and league he spent the last 43 years calling Celtics games in. The Mayor of the City of Boston, Michelle Wu, declared it “Mike Gorman Day,” and Gorman’s peers, co-workers, and members of the Celtics organization and their fans united to give him the send-off he deserves.

Current and former members of the Celtics also put together a video tribute to Gorman’s time calling the storied ball club. 

Take a look at the clip embedded below to see it for yourself, courtesy of the CLNS Media “Celtics All Access” YouTube channel.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

On this day: Danny Ainge hits 1000th 3-pointer, Robert Parish plays 1561st game

On this day, Celtics Danny Ainge hit his 1,000th career 3-pointer, and Robert Parish played his 1,561st game, an NBA record.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtic shooting guard and team president Danny Ainge became the third NBA player in league history to reach 1,000 made 3-point shots in 1995. He was no longer with Boston at the time, having been traded to the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers before landing with the Phoenix Suns, the team with whom he was playing when he passed that lofty record.

Only Dale Ellis and Reggie Miller had shot as many 3-pointers at that time in NBA history, the dynamics of the game still focused on near-basket makes with shots from the midrange being taken in abundance still being the norm.

The game has changed a LOT since Ainge’s era as a player.

Continue reading “On this day: Danny Ainge hits 1000th 3-pointer, Robert Parish plays 1561st game”