Danny Ainge vs. the Colangelos

[BC867]

Last season, the Suns and Celtics finished the regular season with identical 44-38 records.

When Danny Ainge left as Head Coach of the Suns, he attributed it to his family. Many of us didn't accept that as the primary reason.

I believe it's just not his nature to accept the role of yes-man which is required of Suns coaches.

Now that Danny is calling the shots for the Celtics, he has already made a dynamic change in their makeup. Apparently, Red Auerbach has given him the latitude to do what he thinks is right.

Danny Ainge calling the shots for Boston vs. Jerry Colangelo for Phoenix. It will be interesting to compare the final 62-game record of each team.

'See you next year.

 

[Chaplin]

Interesting? Maybe.

But keep in mind where the Celtics play vs. where the Suns play.

 

[slinslin]

Next time Paul Pierce gets out of control and jumps into Amare it would be funny if Ainge jumped out of his seat, ran across the court up the ranks on the other side and starts a fist-fight with Jerry and Bryan.

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Interesting? Maybe.

But keep in mind where the Celtics play vs. where the Suns play.

OK. Then let's watch how each of them lead their team to be successful within their own division or conference.

 

[elindholm]

I'm not at all concerned that the Celtics will be better than the Suns next season. They'll probably finish with a better record and may get further in the playoffs, but they won't be a better team.

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by elindholm
I'm not at all concerned that the Celtics will be better than the Suns next season. They'll probably finish with a better record and may get further in the playoffs, but they won't be a better team.

Granted a W-L record can be jaded by the Division against whom a team plays more games. Although, whether a team improves is certainly a leading measure of management's success.

My point, however (being a huge believer that the Suns are in dire need of a fresh approach), is . . . did they let a good one get away?

Will the wholesome Luke beat the evil Darth Vader?

 

[elindholm]

My point, however (being a huge believer that the Suns are in dire need of a fresh approach), is . . . did they let a good one get away?

Do you mean Ainge or LaFrentz? The Walker trade might work, and it might not, but either way I don't see how it's a referendum on what Ainge brings to his position. It's just one decision of what will be many.

I'm certainly not crying my eyes out that some other team has Danny Ainge in its front office.

 

[Dr. Dumas]

Originally posted by BC867
My point, however (being a huge believer that the Suns are in dire need of a fresh approach), is . . . did they let a good one get away?

I'm not sure that Ainge or any other coach has anything to do with a, "fresh approach." It might have to do with upper management.

 

[newfan101]

Originally posted by BC867


My point, however (being a huge believer that the Suns are in dire need of a fresh approach), is . . . did they let a good one get away?

Dire Need??? Are you sure you didn't mean to post that on the Cardinals board in reference to Bill Bidwill? I've seen this team since its inception, and wish they'd won a championship, as well as wish they could get a decent big man now and then, but I can't name 5 teams that consistantly run an organization as well as the Colangelo's. The only fresh approach that would yield this team a championship would be to tank the next season a franchise center becomes available in the draft. It certainly worked for Houston and San Antonio.

I also wouldn't label trading for Raef Lafrenz as "dynamic."

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by Dr. Dumas
I'm not sure that Ainge or any other coach has anything to do with a, "fresh approach." It might have to do with upper management.

Exactly! Now that Ainge is #2 man in the Celtics organization, running the show for Red Auerbach, we'll see how his approach compares to that of the Colangelos.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by BC867
Exactly! Now that Ainge is #2 man in the Celtics organization, running the show for Red Auerbach, we'll see how his approach compares to that of the Colangelos.

I don't think you can compare it. The Celtics have a lot less talent on their squad then we do, Danny Ainge is a different kind of executive... It's a given that the Celtics will be run differently, but because of where they play and the type of media coverage they will get, it will be virtually impossible to make any solid comparisons.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It would be fun, though, to run a thread on all the past Suns-Celtics trades. I think the Suns have made more deals with the Celtics than with any other team.

BTW, who did the Suns trade to the Celtics to get Westy? I can't seem to remember, was it Goodrich?

 

[scotsman13]

i dont know the suns have made a lot of trades with dallas. nash for the pick that became marion. finley, a.c. green, and williams for kidd. kidd became marbury. we have done a couple with orlando hardaway for manning, garrity and some draft picks. cleveland has a couple with us. marjele for hot rod. nance for jk and west. laker and the cederick ceballos for the draft pick that became finley. then horry for ced again. we have even done a trade with new york for treat tucker and mustfa for x-man. tucker never reported for the trade and we ended up giving him to cleveland or chicago (i dont remember) and then mustfa just never showed up except to have his girlfriend killed.

 

[Dr. Dumas]

There was even that pick the Suns did with Philly. Can't seem to remember hwo we got though?

 

[Errntknght]

I don't think Ainge is going to be any great shakes as a GM... imagine when he has to hire a coach! My recollection is that when he stepped down as coach here, he said that if anyone was ever born to be an NBA head coach it was Scott Skiles! Though maybe it just meant he had a sense of humor. Hmmm... I wonder if the Colangeli laughed at his joke when they got it a couple of years down the road.

 

[BC867]

Originally posted by Errntknght
I don't think Ainge is going to be any great shakes as a GM... imagine when he has to hire a coach! My recollection is that when he stepped down as coach here, he said that if anyone was ever born to be an NBA head coach it was Scott Skiles! Though maybe it just meant he had a sense of humor. Hmmm... I wonder if the Colangeli laughed at his joke when they got it a couple of years down the road.

Jerry brought John MacLeod back as Sr. Asst. Coach to tutor Scott Skiles . . . and Skiles did what he was taught.

Distance yourself from the players; force the team to adapt to your rigid coaching syle, rather than coaching to maximize the skills of your players; talk in circles to the Press; give playing time to your most obedient players, rather than the creative ones, who present a greater challenge, but who have what it takes to excel on the court; etc.

Scott Skiles may, or may not, have had the skills to be a good Coach but, with the MacLeod curse upon him, we never found out.
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I'll never forget one typical John MacLeod interview I heard with his straight man, Al McCoy.

McCoy: "What can you tell us about tonight's game with the Bucks, Coach?"

MacLeod: "Al, the last time we played Milwaukee, Al, they beat us, Al, by a score of 123-85, Al. Here's hoping, Al, that we do better this time, Al."

McCoy: "Thanks for that insight, Coach."

 

[Joe Mama]

You'll never convince me that John MacLeod had a very big influence on Scott Skiles, his coaching, and especially his people skills. He was an cornholio before MacLeod got there at.

Joe Mama