Danny Ainge quite happy with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/05/bulpett_danny_ainge_quite_happy_with_isaiah_thomas_and_al_horford



Bulpett: Danny Ainge quite happy with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford



Steve Bulpett



Sunday, May 28, 2017




Credit: Stuart Cahill
ISAIAH THOMAS, PG, (21.5 ppg, 6.6 apg, .347 3-pt., plus-4.0)
     


I’m sure if New Orleans calls and offers Anthony Davis, draft picks and Mardi Gras beads for life, the Celtics will likely be willing to part with Isaiah Thomas.

But Danny Ainge doesn’t believe the Little Guy is going anywhere — not now nor when his contract expires after next season.

The questions from the outside of whether Thomas can be a major part of a title-contending team are almost too silly to answer. But some people wonder whether the Celts will be able to keep all their desired pieces together as Thomas, Avery Bradley and others come up for renewal in this new marketplace.

“Yeah, we can fit everybody in,” said Ainge. “But, listen, those are questions that I don’t even have answers for yet. That’s part of the difficult puzzle that is all hard.

“All I’m saying is those are things I have to worry about that even I don’t like to think about. And I know that those are going to be difficult decisions at some point. But we want to keep Isaiah.

“All I know is that he’s had an amazing year, and who doesn’t want Isaiah Thomas on their team? Like, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Ainge laughed at public concern that Thomas will be too expensive.

“Why do the fans need to worry about how much money he makes?” he said. “I can understand if Isaiah and his wife and his agent are worried about that, but I don’t understand why that’s a conversation that needs to be had in the media.”

And as far as Thomas as a player, the Celts’ president of basketball operations doesn’t get the whole comparison game — especially how it would tend to devalue someone who’s 5-foot-9.

“Listen, Isaiah has had one of the most impressive seasons in Celtics history in so many ways with what he was able to accomplish,” Ainge said. “I don’t know why people can’t see that. I don’t know why that then all of a sudden they have to jump to the next question of is he as good as Larry Bird or Bill Russell. Why can’t we just enjoy the fact that he had a great year?

“I don’t understand the world that we live in. I get asked everywhere I go, ‘Who’s better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?’ And nobody knows the answer. Everybody has an opinion, but there is no definite answer. They’re both great. Why can’t we just enjoy them both?

“And I feel the same way with Isaiah. Why do we have to compare him to Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett or Larry Bird or Bill Russell? Why can’t we just enjoy what we’re seeing? I mean, that’s what I’m able to do. I don’t need the comparison. What he has done is incredible, and it’s fun to be a part of and fun to witness. I don’t know what else we need to answer, other than saying that was incredible what happened.”

What happened was that Thomas finished third in the NBA with a 28.9 points per game scoring average, just two-tenths of a point behind James Harden. And Thomas was voted second team All-NBA.

Al Horford didn’t make any of those three squads, and while he faced heat all season long, largely because of his big free agent contract, the center showed more of what he can do in terms of production in the postseason. Ainge doesn’t understand questions about his value, either.

“Al had a fantastic year from the first day, and, yeah, in the playoffs he had some remarkable moments in games and stretches,” Ainge said. “He seems to be able to go a little bit more when we need him to, where he didn’t need to do that as much in the regular season when he was more of a facilitator. He reminds me so much of KG in that he can go and get you more if you need it, but he loves being part of a team. He reminds me a little bit of (Bill) Walton, too. They love to pass, they love to play, and they love to play the game the right way. He is a joy for every single guy on our team. Like, every guy on our team, you know, Al Horford may be their favorite teammate. It’s been a pleasure having him around, and he’s made our team better.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Isaiah and Avery and Jae (Crowder) all had better years. Al has helped facilitate that in a lot of ways.”



bob


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good for Danny

does that mean you are not happy with them?  I just watched an interview with DA on ESPN, he said he has alot of "good" players, but he wants some "great" players. That has to have alot of guys worried on this team.  I am really beginning to think we are going to see a KG kind of trade with alot of players going all over, three way deal.

Who is he shooting for? Only Danny knows that.  This morning talk radio had them going after the big guy in NY, I had to laugh.  Then it was Anthony Davis. What makes people think that, just because they think it is a good idea, that it is.  Some of these trades make no sense. Anthony Davis has to get good and sick of NO before we would have a shot at him, and that is not happening right now. Maybe Cousens will drive he crazy ant he will demand a trade!!!  Wishful thinking.

This net month is going to drive us all nuts waiting for the draft and free agency. Some wild ideas are going to be flying around we just have to be patient, not really easy if you are a die hard Celtic fan

I guess my reply was rather ambiguous. When I say good for Danny I mean that I am happy he addressed the " we must trade Isaiah because we have too many guards and  he is short and we`ll never wina title with a 5~9 star and the fooking sky is falling " crowd. Ainge will make whatever moves he deems appropriate, but the idea that the first thing we have to do is get rid of  our 29 point 7 assist per game point guard with the 4th quarter Midas touch who,btw, just had an epic season is ludicrous , especially given his offer to forgo an extension to leave cap space for a star player.  DA made clear that he has every intention of  keeping Thomas , as he should unless presented with an offer he can`t refuse.

Some are basing it on IT's size.
I say let's just look at the results.

53 wins.
East finals appearance.

2nd team All-NBA.
Another All-Star appearance in 2017.

If the Celts continue to win and improve and IT keeps playing well, give him what he deserves in the summer of 2018.

fierce wrote:Some are basing it on IT's size.
I say let's just look at the results.

53 wins.
East finals appearance.

2nd team All-NBA.
Another All-Star appearance in 2017.

If the Celts continue to win and improve and IT keeps playing well, give him what he deserves in the summer of 2018.

+1

I totally agree with keeping IT. Then last night I listened to Dan (ugh) Shaunessey saying that the only way this season will e a success if it we trade the first round pick, "the Celtics don't need a rookie who has not proved himself of anything. Sick of all these guys thinking they are smarter than Danny and Wyc. Not their money, they can throw the thoughts around but I don't see Anthony Davis sitting at the signing table any time too soon. They were ready to give half the team for him, Bradley, Smart, Crowder, never mentioned Kelly???? And of course the first pick this year and next.

I love Davis, but are we to believe that we could gut this team, and succeed????
So, I am going to sit back, wait for Draft day and see what they pull out of the hat, if anything. He may just take the pick.