With all three members of the Boston Celtics “Big 3“ consisting of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce beginning to show their age, there’s no doubting that Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge will have to either make some changes or get creative in helping to make the Celtics World Title contenders again next season. But in a recent interview the former Celtic stand-out made some rather stunning comments.
With coach Doc Rivers back in the fold by agreeing to a 5 year extension and virtually their entire core once again returning, Boston must get an infusion of youth rather quickly before their window of opportunity slams shut. Surely their main objective this offseason is to extend a qualifying offer to the 24 year old Jeff Green, acquired in the Perkins trade, and further bolster their under-performing bench.
At a season ending news conference, just one day after being eliminated by the Heat I might add, Ainge probably allowed his emotions to come through in some of his answers. Most notable was his statements on leading scorer and Celtic Captain Paul Pierce, possible changes to the starting line-up, and his regret in not resigning current Grizzly Tony Allen.
When asked about some possible lineup changes involving the “Big 3“ for next season, he responded:
“Knowing father time never loses, I think their being able to carry a team day in and out might be over,” Ainge said. “But their ability to be contributors to very good basketball teams is still there. we have to surround them with good players if we have any chance of winning a championship next year … “
Nothing too over the top there. Surely most unbiased basketball fans will agree with those statements(with Garnett’s 28pt, 18 board performance in Game 3 not withstanding). But what Ainge responded specifically when asked about Pierce’s future going forward has gotten the attention of quite a few of the Boston faithful:
“Maybe there’s a change of roles. Maybe Paul comes off the bench, cuts down on his minutes. Maybe we find a way to get Jeff more minutes. His role will expand if he’s back here next year. There’s no question about that … ” “It wouldn’t totally shock me if there’s a change in the starting lineup, but that’s just way too tough to tell.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, and maybe I’m a bit biased as a Pierce fan, but of all of the things that could possibly be wrong with the Celts, surely it isn’t Pierce. Hasn’t he led the team in scoring for the last, oh I don’t know, forever? And doesn’t it sound like “The Truth” is getting thrown a bit under the bus for an underwhelming finish against Miami, after a painful Achillies strain ion Game 2?
More surprising comments followed when Ainge was questioned about his biggest regret as the Celtics GM. No, it wasn’t the Kendrick Perkins trade……..
“I would have fought harder to bring Tony Allen back,” Ainge said. “We tried to sign Tony, we tried to come within our rules of staying in our two-year program. I think that Tony would have helped us. “We offered Tony a two-year deal out of the gate, but then when Memphis showed him some love and he started thinking about the idea of more playing time … Then, he wanted a change of scenery.”
Hindsight is 20-20 Danny. Ainge was apparently willing to take the fallout from the trade. No doubt, Boston lacked some toughness and lock down perimeter defense in the postseason, two traits inherent in Allen who signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Memphis Grizzles, who caused fits for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
And lastly, he was very uncommitted on the possibilities of listening to offers for the oft injured Rajon Rondo:
“I would have to look into that if a good trade came about” “Probably not. I can’t ever say never, but that’s not our plan right now, probably not.”
While I don’t see Boston parting with Rondo anytime soon, Danny definitely left open the possibility of at least hearing what teams have to offer. Outside of a major deal for say Chris Paul or Deron Williams, I don’t see any way Rondo isn’t back running the show in Beantown. With that being said, the Celtic staff definitely needs to work with Rajon on his shooting, or at least getting him in a more aggressive mind-set offensively as teams literally sagged off of him during the post season and it wasn’t all because of the unfortunate elbow injury.
Ainge also added that it is a “strong possibility” that Shaquille O’Neal will consider retirement and that Jermaine O’Neal plans on returning next season. He also insinuated that the newly resigned Doc Rivers isn’t tied to the hips of the “Big 3“ and is only the Celtics coach for their duration with the team but will be on the sidelines past his newest deal because coaching is in his blood. At least Danny is sure of who is coach will be.
Looking forward, the demise of the Lakers and Celtics has been greatly exaggerated. Between the two franchises, they have won more than half of the NBA’s World Titles and more than virtually every other teams have an amazing legacy to uphold. Just like other clubs, they have some ups and downs but somehow, some way figure out how to become the top dogs year in and year out. The sky is not yet falling in Beantown. Cut Danny Ainge some slack, he is the architect of bringing Playoff basketball back to Boston and has already brought the city title number 17. Odds are, number 18 isn’t too far away.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com,? ?in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
