Danny Checks In
by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 6, 2009 5:28 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
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It feels like we're bombarding the membership with content today, but USA Today has a good story focused on Danny Ainge, in particular his recovery from his heart attack. I'd encourage everyone to check it out. Some tidbits follow.
On his health:
"I feel great," Ainge, 50, says. "I try to get 45 minutes to an hour of cardio each day. Nothing fanatical. How can I not work out? I practically live in a health facility."
Ainge has lost 25 pounds since the heart attack and says he's more conscious about what he eats. He also sleeps better at night.
"He just looks healthy," Boston coach Doc Rivers says. "He's in great shape. I'm jealous."
On KG and the "staples" issue:
Even with a clean bill of health and a smarter lifestyle, Ainge knows his job comes with aggravations. This summer he dealt with questions on the status of superstar Kevin Garnett's knee, including whether the 33-year-old forward had tendons stapled to bone (Ainge says he does not).
"It's like this thing created a life of its own," Ainge says. "I've had so many crazy questions. People say, 'He tore his (anterior cruciate ligament) and you didn't want to say it.' My gosh.
"He had an aggravating bone spur on the back of his knee. It was a good-sized one. There was no structural thing there. I think KG is going to be fine. He looks good right now. He's just got to get his confidence back, his strength, all that."
On Rondo (and bloggers):
"People were trying to read between the lines," Ainge said. "All of a sudden the talk shows and the bloggers are saying, 'Oh! (Ainge) said he's not a (maximum-contract) player! What does that mean? How come he doesn't like him?'
"I was stating some things that Rondo needs to improve. He needs to be a better leader. He needs to be a little bit more consistent. He needs to improve the shooting. And the next thing I know, it's like I'm ripping Rondo. I mean, I love the kid. We're hopeful that Rondo will be our point guard for a decade."
There's a lot more (including Danny's thoughts on the over-sensitivity of our society, the media, and his family. There are some thoughts from Doc about how Danny's heart attack changed his routine, as well.
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Danny, minus 25 lbs.
I think he looks terrific, too. Suit him up. He can back up Ray.
wow
Very candid interview. He goes into a lot of detail. Thanks for posting.
Yea I never bought the staple thing
But if it was just a bone spur, then how did it take so long to diagnose and cut out. It seems like there was a better chance of him recovering quickly from bone spur removal surgery than hoping he could gut it out in the playoffs.
Thanks For This Link
It’s a great article about Danny. I was particularly interested in his reaction to overblown media reports. On this Blog, no one takes Danny at his word. I guess it comes with the territory. It could be the hardest part of his job is his communication with his players. Things are said (the Rondo stuff) and it’s really important for Danny to keep talking to his players and making sure that what they may read is not really what Danny is talking about.
Danny is very honest and candid. He can also say things ‘tongue in cheek" which is easy to recognize if it’s a TV thing and you see the grin. I very much believe that KG is here because Danny got permission to speak with him directly and KG knows when someone is being honest and straight forward. I think that’s the incident that moved KG in our direction (in addition to his talks with players from this and other teams) that satisfied him that this was an okay place to live. Danny made him believe the team was committed to winning and that this was an OK place to play.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Well, Danny shouldn't be taken at his word...
Danny has repeatedly misled the media about his intentions in the past, and Wyc recently bragged about the team intentionally misleading the media about the nature of KG’s injury to gain a competitive advantage. Therefore, yeah, people aren’t going to believe the guy.
Danny is a decent and honest guy, but it’s impossible to be 100% truthful when you’re a GM.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Its the sad truth of Boston sports...
Any head honcho is going to come under duress…Theo lucked out and won early, so he gets little heavy criticism, but Danny had to build up his assets over 4 years. Boston fans are just not that patient – intelligent and idiotic alike – they don’t have the stomach for waiting on a winner because they are entitled by nature.
Of all the teams, the Celtics are probably the most difficult franchise to operate because of their history of success. It died down for a while, but the moment something stirred the masses, the pressure cooker built up.
Even after the first title in 20 years DA is still subjected to every subtle detail of his job being scrutinized and “arch chair” QBd to death. Its all a part of the job description for a lead exec in this town though and he’s handled it very well.
What aggravates me is the perspective people use to judge his conduct during negotiations, disclosure of information, free agent spending, etc….even the draft picks have come into question at times.
A broader perspective of business around the league should give everyone heart when it comes to evaluating the job Ainge has done at constructing and organization – staff through roster.
He gets excellent support from his ownership group, but he in turn has given them the clarity and direction that smart investors look for before approving direction. If he has bridged the gap in personality between both execs and player personnel alike, I see no reason to hit the panic button over trivial issues.
The media coverage of the Rondo situation and the disclosure on the KG injury are case examples of incidents that arise all the time in the business of the NBA. The turnover for NBA front office jobs is fairly quick at the top of the pecking order. The less success the faster the axe falls.
Considering the market, the support, and the end result, I think Ainge has proven he should be considered one of the best in the buisness.
by BillfromBoston on Oct 7, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions
TrueGreen says
“on this Blog no one takes DA at his word” That may be a bit of hyperbole TG ; -) apparently you do and I am sure a few others do.
DA owes me (the fan) nothing. ZERO.
I don’t watch the Celtics because of DA, and I would not quit watching the Celtics because of DA. I really don’t care much of what DA has to say about anything unless he is unnecessarily yapping his mouth when he shouldn’t be and publicly creating controversy or drama about a private Celtic matter when he should just shut up
He has got his good points as a GM and his bad points .
My hope is that DA just mostly shuts up and keeps trying to get best players he can, for the best price, and under the smartest terms that can be arranged – then just get out of the way.
Is it Soup Yet?
I wish someone would staple the brains
of those questing DA. Especially Simmons what a dolt.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
The posters here just don't know any better
Simmons is actually supposed to be some pseudo journalist.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
You read Simmons only because he's funny, not for anything else.
The Subject Title above says it all.
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