Danny Talks About The Roster

by Jeff Clark on Oct 6, 2008 8:02 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Here are some quotes from Danny Ainge from Bulpett's article this weekend.

The question is whether the club will get from 16 players to 15 by a cut or a trade.
"We don’t know," said Ainge as he watched the players go through Day 5 of training camp at Salve Regina University. "I’ve had many conversations (with other teams), but I have no idea what’s real or what might happen or what might not happen. I know who has value and who doesn’t.
"Is there anything I need to do to tweak the roster? No. I’m planning on this being our team. If we feel like we can improve our team, we’ll look to do that."
Asked if he’d still like to have a veteran big man backing up Kendrick Perkins, Ainge said, "I don’t think so, no."

Sure. I don't mean to sound harsh or call Danny a liar or anything. But right now, you simply can't believe everything he says about the roster. Or maybe he's just telling the truth from a certain point of view like Obie-Wan.

Think about it: He admits that he's having conversations all the time with other teams. If you were talking trade with anyone, would you tell the world who you were going to cut? Would you tell the world that you desperately needed help in the post (and would overpay someone to get that help)? No. You would say that you are prefectly happy with the team you have and feel no pressure at all to make any changes. You can always point to the banner and say "looks like we did fine last year."

This strategy also has the side benefit of encouraging all the players trying to make your roster. Unless you are trying to light a fire under someone, it is best to give them praise and talk about how they are coming along fine and will be very good players in the league.

The bottom line is that this isn't last year. Kedrick's health has to be a concern even if he'll be 100% by the first game because you never know when he's going down again. O'Bryant may be a diamond in the rough, but you don't go from bust to solid 2nd option overnight.

So while Doc may be happy with 4 point guards and Danny may be happy with what we have at center, I would bet that they'd be a lot happier with another solid big man in the rotation.

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Comments

I think Sam goes off roster and stays as coach and is there just in case one of the 3 point guards goes down. Giddens seems to be behind Walker so he’s probably in the 14-15 spot as well as a “pick-em”- Scal, Pruitt, Miles. We really only need 10-11 bodies ready to go so as long as Eddie, Tony, OBryant, Walker/Leon/Big Baby are good to go, there just aren’t minutes for those other guys. Good gamble on Miles but if he isn’t generating “WOWs” he probably won’t beat the others for a spot.

by Wildblu1 on Oct 6, 2008 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

paul pierce might be “the truth,” but nobody would ever label danny ainge with this same moniker…

by Andy Jick on Oct 6, 2008 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think Danny’s lying. He is always talking to teams, so that’s not a surprise. I would not be surprised if Danny has an agreement with PJ in case of an injury to Perk. I don’t think Danny would have signed 16 players if he was hoping to still land a big man. But you have to believe that with Powe and BBDs contracts expiring at the end of this season that he is having to deal with those two.

by amenhotep04 on Oct 6, 2008 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

I think I’m the only guy on this blog that that generally believes what Ainge says. I don’t believe in all the “smokescreen” theories. If a good deal comes along, he’ll take it. But I don’t think it’s a necessity if nothing good comes along.

by moiso on Oct 6, 2008 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

i wouldn’t call him an abject liar, but let’s be honest here, he’s never been quite “truthful” all the time. afterall, how many times has he made a move after saying (ie. the words came out of his own lips) he wouldn’t? countless times during his tenure as gm.

it’s best if he just keeps his mouth shut… :D

by Andy Jick on Oct 6, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

His job isn’t to be truthful to the fans. It is to build as good a roster as he can for the short and long term. A good GM
plays his hand very close to the vest, for reasons I think are
fairly obvious.

by Greg37 on Oct 6, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Call me crazy…in 2010 Perk will be the 3rd guy on the cap.Perk’s value is OK & his $$$$$ is reasonable…Danny needs caproom,maybe a trade of Perk???

by Motown on Oct 6, 2008 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

Actually Jeff, you do sound harsh and you are calling Danny a liar. I am rather surprised.

If there is one thing we have learned in Danny’s tenure here, he ALWAYS keeps his options open. And while he occasionally walks the line regarding the truth, I don’t believe he has ever actually crossed the line. What he says is generally as much as he is willing to share and is what he feels tp be true at that time.

by Steve from Milford on Oct 6, 2008 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

If Danny had a deal, the deal would be done. He is the ultimate options guy. Just like in the draft, he is constantly in motion in terms of his options and thinking. And when the pot’s ripe, he makes his move very quickly. I do believe he does not know specifically what he is going to do, because he does not know what others are going to specifically offer or do. That goes for other managers, and the players that are in play.

Doc seems to be happy with POB and his performance with the starters. (Which Is the group you are ultimately going to use him with). Danny probably does feel that the big need for a veteran big, has dropped off somewhat as a primary concern.

With each observation, and each discussion he is adjusting. I do believe, from all the conversations, he has a good assessment of the value of the players he may consider trading. Essentially he is saying he is ready, and will know when that pot’s right and ripe.

by Bozo on Oct 6, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions