What do Danny and the Boston Pops have in common?

This year's Boston Pops Fourth of July concert had to modify the program because of threatening weather (which arrive right on time, sending thousands for the Charles Street MBTA stop.  They did squeeze in the fireworks, but only at the expense of the 1812 Overture, which always provides a great accompaniment for the fireworks.

In similar fashion, I believe Danny has realized that his promised fireworks this summer will have to take on a moderated tone. Short of a Kevin Love bonanza (which is a possibility, even if hanging by a thread), Danny has altered his plan to a very familiar modus operandi of opportunistic but unspectacular moves.  And, in the process, he parted with only one asset of any note, which would have expired within a couple of days anyway—the TPE from the Brooklyn trade.

Rather than parting with any of his #1 draft picks in trades, he has actually added a #1 pick as well as replacing the traded TPE which should be valid for another year and offers half the value of the previous one.  He also added Thornton, who may have defensive and personality problems but should give them added firepower (and possibly flexibility to trade others in the backcourt).  Oh, by the way, he also brought aboard a starting genuine center, who will probably never make the Hall of Fame but should be sufficient to create a more balanced roster than they've had in years as they go through the process of developing and learning how to play together.

Danny's work this summer is the essence of the phrase, "Making something out of nothing."  Or "Making a silk purse out of a sow's ear" (whatever the hell that means).  He still has his assets pretty much intact and, in fact, reinforced, as he (apparently) continues his quest for Kevin Love.  Failing that (or even if he accomplishes the unlikely), he'll still have assets to sweeten other trades—most of which will probably have an opportunistic element to them, because that's how Danny Ainge works.

Of course, it's easy to spout the trite truism that the results of Danny's work cannot be judged accurately until some time in 2023 when all the fallout from his moves during the summer of 2014 has taken place.  But how many people would have predicted any of these moves and the glimmers they collectively represent?  No, I'm serious, and I'm asking everyone to be honest with him- or herself. How many forecast in advance even one of these moves, to say nothing of their entirety?

Go Danny, and Go Celtics!

Sam