Danny Ainge says he’s not panicking
One day after threatening to shake up Boston’s roster if the Celtics did not show signs of improvement, Danny Ainge said he’s not panicking after a slow start. (CSNNE)
“Our team’s success is going to be determined by the play of our four all-stars,” Ainge said. “I always believe that. KG and Paul need to play at a certain level. Rajon and Ray have been playing at a high level. That’s going to be the determining factor.”
Ainge added, “I’m seriously not panicked. I want to see our team play as well as we’re capable of playing, and we haven’t. I’m not going to focus as much on the record, as what I see on the court. I have a lot of faith in Paul, Ray and KG. And obviously Rondo, who has consistently been our best player.
“I’ve just seen the pride; I’ve seen the way they go about their business. Paul had zero training camp, and is basically working his way back into shape in games, trying to do what he can to help our team. As he gets healthier and we get closer to being at full strength, I like our team and our chances at success.”
If you ask me, all this panic talk is foolish. The Celtics played their best ball of the season during certain stretches against Dallas. Yeah, they also made mistakes and went through droughts, but there was real progress during parts of that Dallas game, including a bench that showed signs of being a defensive terror, in a good way.
If Dirk didn’t hit a ridiculous and-one, or even if Ray Allen had caught Rondo’s low pass in the corner and sent the game into overtime, the Celtics might be 5-4 right now and we’d be talking about their gritty win against the Mavericks. Instead, Jackie MacMullan wrote a column about how it’s time to press the panic button, Ainge started discussing the possibility of making moves and Celtics nation is freaking out.
Relax, people. Even Garnett, who has rightfully taken a lot of criticism for slowing down, outplayed Dirk on Wednesday night. He got beat by a superstar in crunch time, but that happens. The Celtics are okay. They’re better than the way they’ve played so far.
I think. I hope. I believe. And if I’m wrong, well, damn.
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Celtics Blog | Tommy King | January 13, 2012
I don’t agree with the panic either. Anyone who thought we were going to blaze through this season was crazy. This team is a work in progress. What scares me is that neither Ainge nor Doc seems willing to state the obvious – that a lot of the work that needs to happen involves the Big Three learning to play secondary roles to the guy who by now should be recognized by all as our main guy – Rondo. Why is this so freaking hard for people to wrap their minds around? THIS IS NOT 2008!!!!! The 2008 Big Three are not going to walk through that door, people. But the guy walking through that door right now is a possible 2012 superstar named Rajon Rondo, and three HOF guys who could be the three best role players in history, and a surprisingly strong bench. If all that gels, we can win a lot with that.
Regarding that low pass that ended the game on Wednesday: Rondo appeared to throw the only possible pass in that situation. Allen should have dug it out. It’s no blame on him that he didn’t, as it would have taken an exceptional play. But the pass appeared to be the right pass for the situation.
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Agreed. No reason to panic just yet, even though we are at the 9th seed in the EC. rankings (behind fucking Cleveland) I still believe the Celtics will finish this season at least in the 5th or 6th seed.
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If DA is basing his plans on what he sees then he is going to make a move sooner than later because what I see on the floor basically SUCKS. Go Cs…
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