I think it's fair to say that giving Danny a good grade and saying that the C's could use help at the 3 are mutually exclusive.  It's not like they are devoid of options at the 3, but to me, the A+ for Danny's offeseason would have been if he could've brought a defensive-minded 3 who can also score a bit.  But given his options and the fact that he got Shaq and West for peanuts, it's not really fair to expect miracles.  Not to mention that Danny could just as easily trade for a missing piece or clear a roster spot for a vet that gets bought out.  This roster is fluid somewhat no matter how set we think it is. 

 

I think Danny has done a great job.  Going into the offseason, if anyone told me we would add both O'Neals and Delonte while keeping Pierce, Ray and Nate, I would have laughed in his face.

The Celtics biggest weaknesses last season were rebounding and those dang scoring droughts.  We got some nice bigs and some quality shooters and have a nice 2nd unit of Shaq, Davis, Marquis, Delonte and Nate.  Pierce and Ray can now retire from 2nd unit baby-sitting.

I won't miss TA and his trick-or-treat game.  The Marquis signing is a little bit reaction to losing TA and a little bit the fact that he was the best option with what Danny had to work with, sal-cap wise.

Von Wafer may or may not help, but he has hops and may turn out a fair substitute to what TA brought.  Wafer, Harangody, Davis, Avery or Delonte may be OK to back up Marquis (who backs up Pierce) for the regular season (backup by committee?), but in the long run, Danny willget the backup 3 that everyone is dieing for. 

Flame me if you want, but in the playoffs, with the better, bigger threes playing every game, we need more protection for the quick fouls given to Pierce and/or injuries to Pierce or Marquis.  Later in the season, after the New Year, it will also be nice to rest Pierce a little. He absolutely cannot rack up huge amounts of minutes during the regular season and then have what he needs in reserve come playoff time.   Marquis hasn't escaped the injury bug from what I've seen, so he is not the final answer.

With that said, not having the backup 3 on board for the first part of the season doesn't affect Danny's grade for this offseason.  That player that fills that bill wasn't available for what we could pay, once JO'N signed for full MLE.

Hi,
Re: West vs TA. First, he's listed at 190#, so it's only 23# difference. Second, he's tough as nails and a very good defender. Third, whatever he looses on defense (vs TA) he'll compensate +some on the offense. Fourth, don't forget the difference in $$.

As for DA performance, I give him solid 9.  His primary and, probably secondary, goal was to assemble a team that'd play until mid-June '11 and bring #18. He had a very limited budget and not many players to choose from. Good job, Danny.
Just my $0.02.

AK

Overall I'd say Ainge did a decent job.  He brought the core back and signed capable big men to shore up the front line in Perk's absence.  However, the other signings seem to be live or die acquisitions.  Between Wafer, Quis, and West, it may blow up in Danny's face due to their high risk reputation.  Moreover, I'm worried about the defense off the bench.

It's a strong statement, but I'm leaning towards calling this the dumbest thing I have ever seen on this forum: 

In Response to Re: How's Danny Done?:


:-)

I am with you there.  And I am not just visualizing.  I am enjoying it.  I visualize them dominating the league and flaunting it in the face of the experts who did not give the Celts their due, even when they won the championship.

And in Danny I trust.  If he does something more,it will improve the team further.

Ainge did great except on the draft. Bradley is a good player but will rot on the Celtics bench.

Breaking news:  this just in:  5 % (.05) of so-called Celtic fans think that Danny Ainge did a poor or worse job in the off-season.

Who are these people and what are they thinking?

Intelligent minds want to know.

In Response to Re: How's Danny Done?:

Yeah, and maybe one other loser (or maybe not). 

It's a good thing you can only vote once (under each name).

In Response to Re: How's Danny Done?:


As opposed to last year when they had Finley?  Finley is NOT hard to replace citizens. Outside of the pre-mature signing of Wafer DA did an exceptional job.

Barnes got more money with LA b/c of a S&T the Magic would not have done with the C's. Quis can take on Barnes in any event.

I think he gets a B+.  Shaq is going to have a higher FG% than Sheed did.
And he is still a better rebounder than Sheed was. Shaq will still get the other team in foul trouble, especially against 2nd line centers.  Hopefully Wafer or
Daniels can be the backup small forward.  I think Harangody will be a good player for them on the 2nd unit.  He showed good shooting range in the summer league. He boxes out on defense and makes the outlet pass.  A nice pick by Danny.  And Bradley is very athletic and will disrupt 2nd unit PGs. I think Ainge had a nice off season.  The decision to make another run with Allen, Pierce and
Garnett was the right one, I believe. 

In Response to Re: How's Danny Done?:


you read my mind there! unlike last season, this year when the trade deadline rolls around we're going to have some nice tradeable assets( good players on small contracts). so once we do get the rotations set, and see wat our strengths and weaknesses are, dont be surprised if theres alot of rumors surrounding us. Im gonna be watchin Charlotte personally, with Chandler and Felton gone they could struggle this year after finally makin a playoff berth last year. If that happens maybe either Gerald Wallace or Stephen Jackson will look to get moved and either would fit in nicely here!

To my recollection, both Wallace and Jackson have big contracts. Remember in a trade, contracts have to come close to matching. I don't know the amount of their contracts, but let's say 12 million per season. If that were the case, the C's would have to have a combined salary of players to approx. equal 12 million dollars for a trade to happen.

The nay-sayers are now down to .04%.

Ya can't look at much, can ya man.

-

.045  

Danny better start looking for a new job. 

Because .045 percent of voting fans think he's done a lousy job.