THE BEST AND WORST DRAFT DAYS OF DANNY ANIGE

FIVE BEST CELTICS DRAFT DAY MOVES OF DANNY AINGE ERA
By Stephen Hewitt - WEEI

Through his bold draft day decision-making, Danny Ainge has been largely responsible for making the Celtics a championship contender over the last five seasons. (AP)

When he was hired as Celtics president of basketball operations in 2003, Danny Ainge was asked to bring the team back to its glory days from when he was a player on the team in the 1980s.

It may have taken a few years to fit the right pieces together, but it’s hard to argue Ainge’s success in his nine-year tenure as president. He’s made some questionable decisions, but he’s also responsible for bringing the Celtics their first championship in over two decades. With the NBA draft taking place Thursday night, here’s a look at five of Ainge’s best draft day moves.

5. Kendrick Perkins, 27th pick, 2003 – In the same deal that brought Boston one of its most disappointing acquisitions of the Ainge era in Marcus Banks, the Celtics also acquired Perkins, who proved to be one of the Celtics’ most valuable additions of the Ainge era. After barely getting playing time during his rookie season, he slowly moved into the rotation and developed into a dominant defensive center who repeatedly shut down the league’s best big men.

After Mark Blount was traded in 2006, Perkins became the regular starting center for the Celtics. He went on to start 78 games in 2007-08 and was a big contributor to the championship team that season. He was such a key contributor that in 2010, when the Celtics reached the NBA finals again, his inactivity in Game 7 after tearing his MCL and PCL in Game 6 has been argued to be the reason why the Celtics didn’t win their second championship in three seasons.

Where is he now?: Perkins was traded to the Thunder in 2011 in what is considered to be a questionable move by Ainge. Perkins signed a multi-year extension with Oklahoma City and this month made an NBA finals appearance against the Heat.


4. Avery Bradley, 19th pick, 2010 – Bradley has only been in the league for two seasons – and only one seeing consistent playing time with the Celtics – but he makes this list due in large part to his value toward the end of this season. He saw 5.2 minutes per game as a rookie and spent most of his time with the Maine Red Claws in the development league, but he quickly developed into a consistent producer in the Celtics rotation in 2011-12.

That was in large part due to the aging Ray Allen and the need for young, fresh legs off the bench to complement Rajon Rondo. Bradley provided that, and when Allen was sidelined with an ankle injury late in the regular season, he was promoted to the starting lineup, where he asserted himself as a top defender of the team for the remainder of the season, which was highlighted by an impressive block on Dwyane Wade in a regular-season game. Bradley quickly became a headache for opposing teams’ top scorers with his aggressive defensive style.

In the second round against the 76ers, Bradley suffered a dislocated shoulder, which forced him to end his season prematurely and undergo surgery. His presence was sorely missed, as an ailing Allen was forced back into the starting lineup and struggled for the most part.

Where is he now?: While several members of the Celtics are currently exploring their options for next season, Bradley is considered a shoe-in to return from surgery successfully and resume his role in the starting lineup in 2012-13.

3. Al Jefferson, 15th pick, 2004 – In a successful 2004 draft in which the Celtics also took Delonte West and Tony Allen in the first round, Jefferson was selected straight out of high school and didn’t seem to suffer any setbacks in his transition to the pros. As the first high schooler drafted in Celtics history (Perkins technically was drafted by the Grizzlies), Jefferson didn’t disappoint.

Jefferson played quality minutes off the bench during his first two seasons in the league but was suddenly shifted into a starting role in 2006-07 when Perkins went down with an injury. Jefferson made the most of his opportunity and averaged 16.3 points and 11.1 rebounds in his first seven games as a starter, which included a game in which he scored 29 points and 14 rebounds and put himself on the map as one of the top emerging big men.

Where is he now?: In light of his breakout performances, Ainge used Jefferson’s trade value as part of the blockbuster deal that brought Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. Jefferson played three seasons in Minnesota before moving on to Utah, where he has spent the last two seasons. For his career, “Big Al” is averaging 16.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.



After being selected with 21st pick in the 2006 draft, Rajon Rondo is continuing to prove why he's one of the biggest draft steals in recent history. (AP)

2. Rajon Rondo, 21st pick, 2006 – In the same draft in which Ainge made a trade he would rather forget, to land Sebastian Telfair, he also made a trade with the Suns to bring Rondo to the Celtics. That is something Ainge would like to remember all of. The story of Rondo is much-documented. After Rondo shared time during his rookie season with Telfair and West, both were traded to make room for the 6-foot-1 point guard out of Kentucky.

The rest is history. Rondo has blossomed into one of the NBA’s best point guards and was one of the biggest reasons why the Celtics were able to reach the Finals twice in the last five seasons, including taking home the title in 2008. Rondo consistently puts up double figures in points and assists and is no stranger to triple-doubles, a category in which he ranks among the best in NBA history.

Rondo also seems to step up his game in the playoffs. In 92 career postseason games, he averages 14.5 points, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. This season, Rondo had the best statistical postseason of his career, averaging 17.3 points, 11.9 assists and 2.4 steals in 19 games as he led an aging and injury-depleted Celtics team to the doorstep of the NBA finals.

Where is he now?: Rondo is signed with the Celtics through 2014-15. At 26 years old, he is just entering the prime of his career and figures to be part of the Celtics’ plans for the long-term future.

1. Trade for Ray Allen and Glen Davis, 2007 – In what was arguably the best Celtics draft day move since Paul Pierce was drafted in 1998, Ainge pulled the trigger on the first of two blockbuster trades in the summer of 2007 that has shaped the Celtics ever since. With the No. 5 pick, the Celtics selected Jeff Green but quickly shipped him to Seattle (now Oklahoma City) for Allen and Davis.

The trade was just as important as the one that came after, as Ainge pulled off another blockbuster deal to bring Garnett to Boston and form the Big Three with Pierce. The trio, of course, went on to win 66 games and the team’s first championship since 1986. During his career in Boston, Allen has further cemented himself as one of the best 3-point shooters of all-time. He passed Reggie Miller for the most all-time 3-point field goals made in 2011.

Overlooked in the 2007 draft day trade was the acquisition of Davis, who provided minutes off the bench during the championship run. He became even important in the 2009 postseason, filling in for the injured Garnett as he averaged 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, which prompted trade demands from the unsatisfied forward.

Where are they now?: Allen is a free agent and is exploring options between returning to the Celtics and going elsewhere, possibly to the Heat. Davis is signed with the Magic through 2014-15.

Honorable mention: Ryan Gomes, 50th pick, 2005; Delonte West, 24th pick, 2004; Tony Allen, 25th pick, 2004; Leon Powe, 49th pick, 2006





FIVE WORST CELTICS DRAFT DAY MOVES OF DANNY AINGE ERA
By Stephen Hewitt - WEEI

Danny Ainge has made a number of head-scratching draft day moves during his time as team president of the Celtics. (AP)

When Danny Ainge was hired as Celtics president of operations in 2003, he inherited a team on the upswing that had just come off of a pair of playoff exits following six straight seasons missing the playoffs.

Nine years later, Ainge has become known across the league for his bold decision-making, something that has helped the Celtics rise back to the elite of the NBA over the last five seasons. But despite the success, it hasn’t gone without some controversy and questionable moves.

As Ainge enters his 10th NBA draft in the Celtics front office, here’s a look at the top five worst draft day moves Ainge has made and how they’ve panned out.

5. J.R. Giddens, 30th pick, 2008 – Heralded as one of the best scorers in the 2008 draft class, Giddens simply just never panned out in the NBA. Considered to be a potential replacement for Tony Allen, who eventually left the Celtics in free agency, Giddens couldn’t live up to the defensive standards that Doc Rivers stresses and never received much playing time.

It didn’t begin well for Giddens, who declined to participate in minicamp after being drafted because he hadn’t agreed to a contract. After finally signing, the 6-foot-5 guard was put on assignment with the Utah Flash of the NBA D-League before getting called up to the Celtics in February 2009. He saw very limited action and saw eight minutes during the season.

In 2009-10, Giddens saw an increased role but still didn’t see much playing time. He played 4.7 minutes per game in 21 appearances, which even included a start on Jan. 2, 2010. He scored a career-high 10 points and posted nine rebounds against the 76ers on March 19, 2010, as a member of the Knicks after being traded by the Celtics. For his career, Giddens averaged 1.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 6.5 minutes per game.

Where is he now?: On Feb. 18, 2010, Giddens was traded by the Celtics as part of a deal that sent him, Bill Walker and Eddie House to the Knicks in exchange for Nate Robinson and Marcus Landry. He saw an increased role with the Knicks but chose to leave the NBA after the season to pursue a career overseas. He spent 2010-11 in Poland before signing with PAOK Thessaloniki, in Greece, where he currently plays.


4. Gabe Pruitt, 32nd pick, 2007 – Ainge followed up his masterful trade of bringing Ray Allen to the Celtics by drafting Pruitt in the second round of the 2007 draft looking to create some backcourt depth. Unfortunately for Ainge, the Pruitt pick didn’t exactly pan out as well as his trade for Allen. After an impressive career at USC, Pruitt rarely saw the floor with the Celtics.

Pruitt, a 6-foot-4 point guard, was stuck behind Rajon Rondo, Sam Cassell and Eddie House in the rotation during the 2007-08 championship season and played most of his time with the Utah Flash in the D-League. In 2008-09, he received an increased role with the Celtics, appearing in 47 games and earning almost eight minutes per game. While he did serve as a backup for Rondo, Pruitt was largely a disappointment and a draft pick Ainge would like to forget. In his two-year NBA career, Pruitt played a total of 461 minutes and scored only 125 points.

Where is he now?: After being waived by the Celtics in the summer of 2009, Pruitt joined the Knicks during their training camp, but he was waived shortly after. After stints with the Los Angeles D-Fenders and the Utah Flash in the D-League, he started 2011-12 with the Sioux Falls Skyforce and then signed with the Magic. He appeared in two preseason games with them before being waived again.

3. Marcus Banks, 13th pick, 2003 – Ainge’s first big move included one of his biggest mistakes when he traded 2003 first-round picks Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones to the Grizzlies for Kendrick Perkins and Banks. While Perkins certainly panned out, the same cannot be said for Banks. Very athletic and quick, the 6-foot-2 point guard never reached his potential with the Celtics.

Considered a good defender and ball handler, Banks couldn’t use those traits to become a consistent NBA point guard. He consistently made poor decisions with the ball and couldn’t hit outside shots. He played a lot of minutes with the Celtics and appeared in 81 games in both of his first two seasons. In his rookie year, he averaged 17.1 minutes, 5.9 points, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game, but he couldn’t top those numbers in his final two seasons in Boston and ultimately was traded to make room for Delonte West.

Where is he now?: Banks has been a product of trade bait throughout his career. Including draft night in 2003, he’s been shipped five times, seeing time with the Timberwolves (where he averaged career-highs with 12.0 ppg and 4.7 apg in 2005-06), Suns, Heat and Raptors. In 2012, he played for the Idaho Stampede in the D-League.

2. Gerald Green, 18th pick, 2005 – Projected to be a lottery pick in the 2005 draft, Green kept falling and falling until the Celtics took him with the 18th pick. Ainge, like many others, considered the selection to be a steal, but the high-flying guard only showed glimpses of his potential during his short stay in Boston.

The youthfulness of Green, who entered the league out of high school, may have gotten the best of him as he could have used some seasoning to complement his raw and athletic skillset. The 6-foot-8 winger made the most of his noise with the Celtics through the form of dunks, winning the 2007 Dunk Contest, which was one of the Celtics’ lone bright spots during their dreadful 2006-07 campaign in which they lost a franchise-record 18 games in a row.

Despite his rawness and immaturity, Green displayed flashes of his potential toward the end of the 2006-07 season, when he received an increased starting role. He went off for a career-high 33 points on April 10, 2007, and averaged 10.4 points per game for the season, but he wasn’t able to find consistency. He was later traded in 2007 in a package deal that brought Kevin Garnett to the Celtics.

Where is he now?: After brief stops in Russia and China, Green is back in the NBA, now with the Nets. He played in 31 games with them in 2011-12, averaging 12.9 points per game. With some experience and seasoning under his belt, Green could figure to be a key contributor next season as the Nets move to Brooklyn.

1. Trade for Sebastian Telfair, 2006 – After drafting Randy Foye with the No. 7 pick in the 2006 draft, Ainge opted to trade him along with Raef LaFrentz and Dan Dickau to the Blazers for Telfair, Theo Ratliff and a 2008 second-round pick. Telfair proved to be more hype for his own good and never panned out the way he was predicted to after a stellar high school career.

In 78 games – 30 of which he started – for the Celtics in 2006-07, Telfair averaged an underwhelming 6.1 points and 2.8 assists per game. Adding on to the disappointment, Telfair had several brushes with the law during his time with the Celtics. In October 2006, his $50,000 chain was stolen outside of a restaurant owned by rapper P. Diddy in New York, and in April 2007, Telfair and his friend were arrested and charged with felony possession of a weapon. During the 2007 offseason, Telfair was traded to Minnesota as part of the deal that brought Garnett to the Celtics.

What makes the trade for Telfair even more perplexing for Ainge was that Foye was eventually traded by the Blazers to the Timberwolves for Brandon Roy, who became the Rookie of the Year in 2006-07 and a three-time All-Star.

Where is he now?: Telfair spent 2011-12 with the Suns, playing in 60 games and averaging 6.1 points and 2.3 assists per game. He has a team option to return to Phoenix next season.

Perk played in the Finals with OKC, but didn't shine. Against a team with no center, he couldn't and didn't dominate his position. He just bitched about the coach's rotations.

Marcus Banks in the D-league? Ouch.

Yep, the draft is a crap shoot, no doubt about it. I'll bet if someone did a comparable analysis of the rest of the league's GMs they'd be hard-pressed, though, to find one whose overall success rate is as good as Danny's. The thing about Danny that I love is that he knows what it takes to field a championship team, he just doesn't always make a bee-line for it. Sometimes he stockpiles talent that he knows isn't going to grow into a champion (like Ryan Gomes. A very nice complementary player, but not much more than a place holder for the starter). He also has a very good eye, overall, for young talent. Sure, there was the debacle with Gerald Green (who has had his chances with other teams too) but there was Perk (out of high school), Rondo (one and done at Kentucky) and Avery Bradley (one and done at Texas. Supposedly Danny had been tracking him since high school). That's two players considered among the best at their positions (one of them destined for the HOF) and another that's on the way up.

btw, Rondo was drafted by the Suns and traded to us for almost nothing. Leon "The Junkyard Dog" was drafted by Denver and traded to us for a song. Those were draft day picks, not Danny's picks, but that might even be better. He saw talent, wherever it was going in the draft, and went after it.

Go Danny! Today's YOUR day!

bob

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