Doc Rivers: Danny Ainge Doing ‘Masterful Job’ Of Rebuilding Celtics

http://nesn.com/2015/01/doc-rivers-danny-ainge-doing-masterful-job-of-rebuilding-celtics/





It likely will be a few years before the Boston Celtics see the fruits of the myriad deals president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has pulled this season.

The Celtics’ former coach, however, believes they are well on their way toward regaining their status as a championship contender.

Doc Rivers, who took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers last season after nearly a decade in Boston, praised Ainge’s efforts ahead of Monday’s Celtics-Clippers matchup in L.A.

“It takes time. It’s hard,” Rivers said, via the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett. “I’ve been through it with Danny. It’s not a one- or two-year build. I knew that when they decided to do it, and Danny did, too. But I think it’s a city that can handle it, because they’ve done it before and people there know the game. You do have to get a little lucky, but, man, they have so many picks.

“I think they’ve done a masterful job with the way they’re doing it. Danny has put himself into a position to take the risk he wants to take at some point — to gather enough assets to go get that one guy that then gets the second guy that then gets the third guy. Eventually Danny’s going to get that one piece and then that second piece. But they’re set up to do it. Look at all the rebuilding teams, the Celtics are so far ahead of the game than everyone else, in my opinion, from what they’ve done.”

How Rivers’ Clippers fare this season will have a direct impact on said rebuilding plan. Boston netted L.A.’s first-round pick in the 2015 NBA draft as part of a rare coaching trade involving Rivers, meaning a disappointing Clippers finish (they entered Monday with the sixth-best record in the Western Conference) would benefit the C’s come draft night.



bob
MY NOTE:  Considering the tension between Danny and Doc after the trade to LAC (and who ever heard of getting something for a coach before that, much less a 1st rounder?  Oh Danny, you big screwup, you!) as they both tried to avoid being blamed for it falling apart, this is quite a statement from Doc.

And, oh yeah, it's not a 1-2 year build (which we are only 1 1/2 years into), coming from a guy who hung in with Danny through one before and has this big, fat ring to wear to show for it.



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Doc has always seemed to know basketball. I liked him when he was on TV before getting hired by the Celtics.
He had (and may still have) good thoughts of how to run a franchise.

He and Ainge always seemed to get along when working together in Boston, so his statements about the Cs rebuild is not terribly surprising. Who cares about whom being blamed for Doc leaving Boston at this point?

Obviously with the Celtics having the Clippers first pick this year, I certainly hope that the Clippers fall completely a part in the second half of this year and do not make the playoffs.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.  Ainge has not done a "masterful job" of rebuilding---yet.

He's piled up assets that increases the odds of a masterful rebuild.  We'll see if Ainge can effectively exploit all the assets he's amassed.

Ainge certainly does have confidence in his choices. When Doc was here Ainge stuck it out with him despite much criticism. How many coaches stick around after a record setting 18 game losing streak?

Ainge also has guts. When he became the GM the team was a mid 40's game winner and could be counted on to make the playoffs--and be eliminated early. Ainge tore that team down and it bottomed out with that 18 game losing streak.

The guy's aim is a championship contender.

Doc has a habit of handing out early accolades. I seem to remember him referring to the Clippers as the best team he's had. They aren't even the best team in their conference.

As for Ainge, if he can turn this team into a title contender, I'd have to say it would be more impressive than the 2007-08 season.


KJ