Post by Deleted on May 29, 2006 17:24:18 GMT -5
Over the last two seasons I have heard an increasing amount of criticism directed towards Danny Ainge. Most of that criticism centers on the Walker deals and last off-seasons acquisition of Brian Scalabrine. Critics have come out with guns blazing, often referring to the Walker deals as the crown jewel of this regime’s inability to get it right. I’m more pragmatic about the Walker deals, and much less willing to funnel blatant unfettered criticism in the direction of Danny Ainge.
To be honest I think Danny has made some very wise moves in his tenure. Perhaps it should be noted that the Celtic roster has been in a constant state of upheaval since the run made to the Eastern Conference Finals. Not to mention that bringing marquee free agents to a northeast team that has been in a state of nearly constant chaos since the tragic death of Reggie Lewis has not been an easy one. As far as the Walker deals, to consider them follies is a little short sighted. Walker and Tony Delk went to Dallas for Raef LaFrentz, Chris Mills, Jiri Welsch, and the Mavericks' No. 1 pick in 2004. LaFrentz starts and contributes for the Celtics. Welsch was traded to Cleveland for a No. 1 pick in 2007 (protected for the first 10 spots). Considering the Cavs later sent Welsch to Milwaukee for a second-round pick you have to consider that a minor coup by Ainge. The No. 1 pick from Dallas in 2004 was used to draft Delonte West. So that deal now works out to Walker and Delk for LaFrentz, Mills, West, and a No. 1 pick in 2007.
Ainge subsequently packaged Mills in a three-team trade with Detroit and Atlanta in which he parted with Mills and Mike James and wound up with Chucky Atkins and the Pistons' No. 1 pick in 2004, which translated into Tony Allen on draft night.
Let’s not forget that the move to re-acquire Walker didn’t originate from Ainge himself, but came from ownership; ownership that wanted a boost in ticket sales bolstered by a playoff berth. To get Walker back Ainge gave up Tom Gugliotta, Gary Payton, Michael Stewart, and a No. 1 pick, a No. 1 pick the Celtics received from the Lakers in the Payton deal (you may remember that Payton’s separation from the Celtics was short lived). Getting Walker back had a very positive impact on the Celtics organization, and indeed yielded a playoff berth.
The short of it is this:
Ainge gave up: Walker Delk, Gugliotta, Stewart, Mills, Mike James, Welsch, and a No. 1 pick.
Ainge got: LaFrentz, West, Allen, Dickau, the rights to Albert Miralles, a No. 1 pick in 2007, a trade exception worth $2.7 million that expires in August, (Atkins and Borchardt are the only two that can no longer be considered assets).
With all that Ainge was able to get for #8, I have a hard time vilifying the guy. Quite the contrary, I think the job he did was amazing. Granted I think the Veal signing was too much for too little, but if that’s the only dark cloud hanging over his front office then Danny is still going to need his Oakley's and SPF-35 sunscreen.
--Fin
To be honest I think Danny has made some very wise moves in his tenure. Perhaps it should be noted that the Celtic roster has been in a constant state of upheaval since the run made to the Eastern Conference Finals. Not to mention that bringing marquee free agents to a northeast team that has been in a state of nearly constant chaos since the tragic death of Reggie Lewis has not been an easy one. As far as the Walker deals, to consider them follies is a little short sighted. Walker and Tony Delk went to Dallas for Raef LaFrentz, Chris Mills, Jiri Welsch, and the Mavericks' No. 1 pick in 2004. LaFrentz starts and contributes for the Celtics. Welsch was traded to Cleveland for a No. 1 pick in 2007 (protected for the first 10 spots). Considering the Cavs later sent Welsch to Milwaukee for a second-round pick you have to consider that a minor coup by Ainge. The No. 1 pick from Dallas in 2004 was used to draft Delonte West. So that deal now works out to Walker and Delk for LaFrentz, Mills, West, and a No. 1 pick in 2007.
Ainge subsequently packaged Mills in a three-team trade with Detroit and Atlanta in which he parted with Mills and Mike James and wound up with Chucky Atkins and the Pistons' No. 1 pick in 2004, which translated into Tony Allen on draft night.
Let’s not forget that the move to re-acquire Walker didn’t originate from Ainge himself, but came from ownership; ownership that wanted a boost in ticket sales bolstered by a playoff berth. To get Walker back Ainge gave up Tom Gugliotta, Gary Payton, Michael Stewart, and a No. 1 pick, a No. 1 pick the Celtics received from the Lakers in the Payton deal (you may remember that Payton’s separation from the Celtics was short lived). Getting Walker back had a very positive impact on the Celtics organization, and indeed yielded a playoff berth.
The short of it is this:
Ainge gave up: Walker Delk, Gugliotta, Stewart, Mills, Mike James, Welsch, and a No. 1 pick.
Ainge got: LaFrentz, West, Allen, Dickau, the rights to Albert Miralles, a No. 1 pick in 2007, a trade exception worth $2.7 million that expires in August, (Atkins and Borchardt are the only two that can no longer be considered assets).
With all that Ainge was able to get for #8, I have a hard time vilifying the guy. Quite the contrary, I think the job he did was amazing. Granted I think the Veal signing was too much for too little, but if that’s the only dark cloud hanging over his front office then Danny is still going to need his Oakley's and SPF-35 sunscreen.
--Fin