Danny Ainge

Announcement of a joining us a couple lines the eggs video of the year Danny -- the morning Dan. Mortgage on. We're don't want to carry on vacation now on how we wake you up when you first down vacation.

Actually no not a vacation yet -- and we has. I'm on vacation. Out on the west coast and I'm going to join them shortly.

And what does and and how long does a vacation constitute for somebody is going to have his nose back to the grindstone shortly week to what.

Well I'll -- I get away for a couple of weeks but it still has some things that finished output. Coaching staff and yeah I think like that's all be opposed to be -- on the phone.

different is this year when you take vacation in the last last year amid you're holding your breath you were made you had just completed. The deal right on the July 31 from Garnett. You couldn't go on vacation before that that you went away I'm guessing you -- wake every night -- wonderment wondering if it was going to work.

It didn't have much of a vacation a matter of fact last year in the Stanley goes to San Diego that's what -- like -- from the we have a lot of friends -- back. They were all on the beach and I remember sitting in my are on the ocean on the beach spare and making phone calls for hours and hours -- Not much a family vacation although it is better than sitting in Waltham looking out my window.

It getting how is life different as an executive of a team that is just on the NBA championship. Verses the year before last through the year before that of the year before that are the phone calls different do people treat you differently is our cachet that comes along with winning a title that you are just experiencing the first time now.

Not really even I think that we get less phone calls. Because teams are just assuming that he's out. Things well we're diamond where were -- in -- ways whereas before people were trying to get our players went. When you're struggling you have a lot of teams trying to call to get all your players from music and that you want to make wholesale changes and we connecting it to you're. You're so you have -- Elton. -- gotten very few calls. He's trying to giving -- our players. Over the biggest that it will probably the biggest difference then get a big differences we have a lot of players that. They want to -- place so we we have an opportunity to get. The players that maybe slipped the cracks. There looking for a lot more money it might not get it and that they don't get it there they would like to come to the team played on national TV oh.

another benefit -- is probably one that not probably one that you definitely don't care about but it would be the public perception of view and any deal that you do or don't make. And and and my guess is based on the phone calls here in response to the reaction. By the paying customer. Two as an example. Allowing Posey to move on you know maybe hurts Ogilvy was -- whoa whoa whoa whoa -- what is daddy Dolan who's going to defend LeBron. Next year -- defend Colby next year and that -- as a result of winning the NBA championship I think you've acquired a certain cachet of certain. Old dare I say Scott pioli. Theo Epstein -- they want championships he obviously knows what he's doing.

Leadoff. I don't know anything about that because well I don't pay as much intensity when it's going Weller was going bad back. You know see the fact that the Patriots and the Red Sox have -- lot of difficult decisions that we had like the -- he probably does help. Down in the way. Unseen that the teams still goes on teams still can't win and it's it's opt to -- you are managing payroll -- your advantage in the present and future -- the same time. What think that those kind of things do help us our situations while.

how much discipline did it take to allow Posey to walk I'm guessing. Emotionally you would love to have me -- keep -- keep this team intact but you had to think of 34 years down on the road and just uh oh oh. Valuable he would be how effective would be at that point and Goosen if you would like to keep and you just it just didn't make good business sense.

Yet that's true Jerry and I think he. The hardest part for my position has just making sure the players and coaches and owners know. And that we have a plan and this is -- and that you know how far we go and we we have a conversation we went over and over with everybody. What we're going to do and what it. Stan and -- it does take discipline that is all too linemen and they have an armistice that ended the powers that oppose these agents trying to get them. You are way. But neither side really budged much in the entire time discussion and now as a mindset on getting what state they wanted to get and and they were able to do it.

Do you think. Did you did you almost half an amended was their point we said. I think we got a much did he do you want to start to -- want to score that you want more minutes.

I think he wants security and I really think that's what is the obvious he's going to be 32 next year in. And I think that he felt like this was his last chance to -- free agency last summer and really. There weren't nobody was knocking down store last summer and so I think that he just felt like a a championship made big shot finals. You know. We can bring a lot to an up and coming team and he wanted to maximize that.

Direct quote from you what I found interesting the day after Posey made -- decision I think is that something they'll compare prisoner and have with the enemy up may be we replaced James Posey. Not necessarily with -- James Posey type a player may be we do it in some other way did you do that yesterday with -- the resigning of -- Tony Allen and Eddie House that Eddie House who provided. The shooting that Posey takes away and Tony Allen will provide the defense that James Posey has taken with him.

Well -- what -- thing about Tony Allen's first is that only as a player that. Stop law. -- and I love Tony. And I think that and his teammates to meet Paul Pierce in particular is a big big Tony Allen and if all has been with. Group -- Tony it went in practice and see him. Play well in games. And most of most of the fans aren't as don't understand a good player told he has yet because they keep him in. You know and -- that he has not succeeded in yet is that wall where he plays three or four minutes at a time he's he's. He's really struggled to. But he's arrived in the world I'm starting and playing a lot of minutes. And he brings great value to our team that the defensive end. But particularly when he gets chance to play he didn't play last year mostly because of the injury. And then in the second half the season because of Posey in the second half of the season we rarely if it if ever played Posey. Until the end BA finals and -- one afforded the -- played for a position. I'm strictly play the two and three which got de Paula Jones met. We we think its own and we placed potent a lot of ways he does not shooter but he's. Actually better perimeter defender. And he is it better athlete we feel like need to get more athletic as the Phillies in the Atlanta has given us trouble. And they're young enough explosive and so we draft to athletic wings we brought Tony Allen -- very athletic wing and and and you can perhaps you can and and that any houses are. The world are defined.

Is JR Gibbons ready to be eight NBA quality NBA caliber defender. I mean maybe. You know at -- the -- cover the scores the wing guys that the the tough guys that you -- that you play against.

So what -- we try to win the championship it's pretty tough typically expect. On -- guys drafted thirty would have to come in and do to play insignificant role. From a talent standpoint Jerry he's certainly can't he's athletic long -- Plays with the energy. Couldn't figure out. He can to schemes can -- get fooled by all the veteran players -- You know the LeBron James's and that yeah.

Joe Johnson's.

Johnson and Colby smoke guys yeah I probably there's definitely a learning curve for him so. We do we do help I hoped that he can't be -- defender and he's also has had a chance did a decent -- the player to even that we not spot up shooter. Little bit more like a young a -- Paul Pierce I would say in that regard. But he's. He's got a bright future if he can figure things out and and have a quick learning curve.

Deadlocked question little more interesting and fun things to watch last year was the development and the and the leadership role. That Rondo assimilated grasp and ran with a throughout the course of that season and I'm wondering in your estimation maybe this is an unanswerable question. In your mind how much I hate the word upside how much more room for improvement as army -- we see the same. Leaps and bounds forward next year from this kid as we saw last.

You will become a shooter ever likely be one of those Magic Johnson types of becomes the shooter later in his career.

I think so why you know the funny thing about that is that I didn't see the numbers. After. But the beginning of the NBA finals. Rondo was making more percentage -- his jump shot than anyone else on our team. And yet he was open because they want guardian to a lot of those threats keep making shots. And -- at that time that we were most desperate last. During this past season was game five against you cock against Cleveland at home and worked out fourteen points in the second quarter. And he scored ten straight points including back to back -- He has the ability to score the basketball he's proven that he can make shots and he can make big shots I think this last point sixteen of the twenty asking was is equivalent to at least a year of development for him. Of thinking of -- can understand and appreciate the magnitude of the pressure that was on you know. Throughout the NBA season with these three Hall of Fame players. All of a minute -- by the way you know trying to get him to do this -- in the coach is really tough on point guards. And you know in just his personality and understand the what he was going through. And I think this huge burden has been good. He's been lifted from their shoulders and I think he's going to have a very special year next year I think Perkins is going to have a special year next year. You know beyond a baby and Tony Allen they're all going to be a lot better the next year than they were this year. Just for all obvious reasons and -- I think those -- can be a better team.

Who's going to back up Ron obviously you don't have all the much faith in Eddie House as the as the -- Ekejiuba and to sell and his minutes throughout -- often he's not really a pure point guard who will back up --

When you know it's funny you went through that process last year we eat and that he'll block tell you that he does have faith in Eddie. Now it seems kind of went through the -- saying we have to do some things to alleviate the ball pressure. By having other people share that responsibility do a better job as a team that breaking pressure. But only mean Eddie is somebody that this doc really really want to ask. Did not want to lose and I think the holes and the experiment was was good and it was good insurance but I think if doc said the play the -- over again I think Eddie -- keep his job. And and be able to have played through that because he's certainly came back to Eddie when the when the chips were down.

Making if you had -- the playoffs again and had to play them now in your estimation -- if -- the conference finals against Cleveland. Who gets the LeBron assignment and if you're in the NBA finals against the Lakers tonight who gets the who gets the Kobe assignment.

Well first of all the in -- in all of our statistical postseason breakdowns. Our best our best perimeter defender was Paul Pierce by far. Our second best perimeter defender was Ray Allen and or third best perimeter defender was James Posey. Now. That's not to diminish James got to you know James does other things he takes charges who does some odd things have played bigger guys little better than that -- perimeter but as far as just perimeter defenses against pokey. Going into the season and going into the playoffs if you go out there remember on our team with the best perimeter defender every one of them -- on the mountain. And so be -- being the pollen -- really stepped up and played fantastic piece it's not just decent decent. They played amazing decent in the playoffs especially in stretches when they had to. Paul performance against LeBron. All performance against Colby raised performance against Colby. It -- it was really spectacular to see how those guys step up and played and so we believe that we're adding our best defender he's back healthy. Infraction. And we're adding our best to send -- back into the lineup and in getting that.

It -- you're experienced what is the psychological effect of winning a championship as as you look at the spectrum you know from one end to the other he could be -- that taste of an addictive narcotics like tasted the championship I have to have another and another and another little work even harder in this offseason that the other end of the spectrum there is -- well -- you know I drank from the cup. Up my thirst has been benched a little bit what your experience of a where it falls.

I think the ball both both things happened in in different individuals respond differently and typically. These superstars. Respond as an addiction and they needed they want it their best forward in a lot of times some of the role player to have to worry about -- kind of reached -- and they get a little old themselves. So far you know we've been very conscientious that and we I mean it's amazing how hard big baby is working right now. It minute he's he's got at least -- and he wants to contribute more resigned that they after the NBA finals than it is now 300 jump shots. You know he he's got a taste of it like if this -- they can't wait for next season. We have so many young fresh guys that are just dying to be part of what they've just experienced it didn't get to play big roles as they would like. And and and the least of my worries are are -- all in KG than those guys so. Well they've always loved the game and in that they'll be ready to move to meet the challenge secures everybody's gunning for us.

Every time team drafts a guy wherever it is first round second round still can't believe he was still on the board he's the guy we want and we Adam. -- so much higher. I get the sense what Bill Walker you actually meant -- If he didn't have the knee problem where do you think he would've gone. What kind of role if he makes the team kind of -- the think you'll play.

So I think they've -- this year would have definitely gone in the ones. In the drafting that you make your -- is eighteen in that neighborhood this year without injury. You know he keeps that he metallic both of the kids that we draft this year. And are similar to the guys that we drafted last year -- gave their guys but it's live in the draft for different reasons other than just sheer talent. And Bill Walker and -- kittens are -- of talent. And if they can get it they can develop a work ethic in and -- become great teammates. They have a chance and so there's there's also some risks as risks with character there's risks with -- with that injuries. Some of the cases but. We'd like the upside like the potential these guys.

Any final question for me on the subject of of of injuries and now that the season is over maybe could reveal some of the -- us. Can you comment on the nature the extent and the progress of Kendrick shoulder injury and pierce is knee injury assume surgery is required in neither case.

Well Kendrick -- surgery about three weeks ago was separated like the old injury. Yep but it was it was really -- whether we should do surgery or not. And it was back and forth and we got a few different opinions. Because it's not anything that's really serious but -- they ended up doing the surgery just. Because they felt like if they did this surgery that could present. He had these he had two incidents this year work. It doesn't pop out but it just it it loosened up a little -- and and it gets inflamed and you know he he -- or five days off each time. Well to prevent that from happening -- not a surgical procedure if you were also he's doing really good good excellence therapy in his rehab and if you'll beat. -- starting conditioning very soon and be back on the court by training camp and sent. And Paul and all. Also Paul was what we thought we thought it was out of bone bruise and it as sprained meniscus that's what was I mean a sprained a medial collateral ligament. And nose surgery is required in all to -- be just he's just a little bit sort -- Brazil is that should be a 100% in. And he's gone through all of them work out now I believe doing everything.

Are you in the market for another player we know you didn't use the whole mid level exception that was offered to Posey. Will you use it on somebody in the coming weeks.

You know it just depends on who who comes available we feel like we kind of have our roster in place right you know we have our top nine guys and and -- in place. You know ideally we have a young kid and Patrick O'Bryant we think as a bright future also seven -- that decent things that no one on our team can do right now. By -- force start in the playoffs to date. We would probably feel like we need to shore up that position although we think Kendrick in big baby and in the -- in KG can hold down afford it that it the power positions. But that's concerned that we have going in -- that would like to see those guys keep the development and it's early in the year and -- we need to tweak our roster as the season goes along like we did issue reflecting Hasselbeck and flexibility.

I'm sure I'm not breaking any news to you and certainly not to dock when I say as an NBA champion chances are you're not going to sneak up on anybody this year Danny.

The ball the United that we could sneak up by anybody last year either of either a lot of lot of hype around our team last year but yet this year we've proven it and I've been in this situation or my life and it's going to be a challenge and we -- to -- the -- in the -- sellout crowds and this is the best -- the teams have offered -- night in -- out and -- I think our guys will be up for the challenge.

AS AM Seattle at -- does nicely as a com. As a ball buster of former teammates when you were playing. Have you have a conversation with -- the Larry or Kevin about what you accomplished and what they have and at this point. As an executive.

Now. No I have not add that in. Says that this game can make you very very humble. And and so I think that Larry to have some good things in Indiana right now and you know Kevin took a lot of heat this year we won the championship with his guys and it was great for rust but I tell -- what. Minnesota is in a really good spot right now I'd like their team I'd like -- draft -- like the trade. Like the future. I think Minnesota. In an -- every year if not sooner. People are going to start saying that Kevin did some great being there in in finding a way to salvage something out of the tough situation now. There's so there's got bright future.

Yeah I wouldn't gloat to much with Kevan has and it'll be like retired -- back. On as a front Portugal -- Al Jefferson will be an MVP candidate for years tecumseh he will. Have his chance to Golden Globe back catcher to have before I go Denny Devean George -- You considering spending that create that mid level exception what you have left I believe was two point eight million on Devean George.

Now have had it really have had no conversations about that and George.

you know that we've got a lot of money for Doc Rivers Gatorade stained shirt and for charity for the -- the shamrock foundation. And we wondered do you have any stained clothing left over from the finals that you could.

And that would punish everybody thought that. I leave this on the first Edgar your vacation tomorrow the next day or whatever point later this week. Understanding that first tee for the first time penalized again until about where your handicap it is.

Right now I'm -- five point two index and probably need every bit that there hoped to get opted lower that a little bit at this -- goes along it's up to earn money is five point Sudan. Is tough yeah of course is about the only guided Billy got a regular -- money from right now that are my ATM machine doctor Brian McKeon.

What Charles Barkley did you get a match with Charles Barkley.

I couldn't stand watching are all that's that's a visual version of people saying this the S word you know -- want to hear people say the us -- you don't want to be Charles Felix and market to stop coop and run and swing the club. -- enjoy your time off congratulations. -- to opted on the road which are gear him up again. All right guys thanks a lot thanks Danny Yates exact year of the NBA the NBA champion formal.

noticed any panic when dean -- All over his case reviews -- and a democratic genteel setting an Atlantic had a plan and the whole time he had a plan it culminated in -- of the -- from beginning. And it can be no you figured it out -- figured out bitchy as like a grudge list of people he he wants to -- wanna judge you on that -- to an -- way in hell but you guys there was people it means to -- That's -- came Wallace.