Danny Ainge, Celtics GM

I joining us on the yeah fault line on the AT&T hotline brought Cuba AT&T everything possible is itself as director of basketball operations Danny -- -- Danny how are you. Jerry -- to pay out we we all know I think personally what your favor as a -- Access Hollywood. For your Hollywood information we're Mel Gibson up yet meet a brawls the big access -- it was done what's your favorite. What's -- guilty pleasure than planned golf what do you do what do you do. When you sit there and and when you do when you say I should be working. -- I'll watch what. 24. Acting like having extra -- kind. What forced him between incidents over yet done with this now all you do work. Work a lot. What is your down time basketball watch what. It's like and the calendar wise what is your downtime when you take two weeks and don't talk to anybody about basketball. Hopefully aired within the next oh yeah oh August to use it right. He's still single digits and he can't. I am. It away that are up near the double digits and how well we. Now they're at it except play at last June 1. And who wins your dock. So I can still handle -- you can still have -- -- me shots. A couple of side what about you re. I can handle -- outrage is spring is in Lake Tahoe this week -- and liberty golf tournament. Read these and some. Money back from our little we know you can handle the enemy. That you know who do you know what that our organization that really huge it's great yeah. But there's a lot of people -- I don't quite -- repair the. And a good idea aren't we we we let's turn it into basketball here. We think we know with the overall reaction in this country was among NBA fans to the LeBron decision on Thursday night and about talking about Miami them out publicly and in general. People weren't happy with this thing as an NBA lifer Danny one. What was your visceral reaction to what LeBron did but not just what he did how he did. Yes. There. On well. Are there remarkable. This it was on ESPN like they won't they generally make fun of other ESPN things but they just figured this was. A lost cause and everybody knew the whole thing was a joke so this is that they piled on. Now part anyway. You know the same -- but he -- it was over the top. Much. You know I think he should've pulled the cavaliers well -- when. A lot of work. It was. Not on Watson's. -- So -- after use green and it. I like that would be spat out like the Celtics about it in our players -- -- at all laser like -- -- -- -- -- its current contract. Yeah that seemed to me that defeat if he just took an easy path EP you know if -- if you're going to lead Cleveland you can't do it on a show if the -- call a press conference and you show up. And the first thing you'd do well first you make good point called Dan Gilbert talked to a man demand element day at a time what's gonna happen in the press conference -- spent the first you know five minutes. Banking Cleveland banking Ohio and saying I'm sorry have to leave because what not that's not nobody would care about not care about it nobody would be upset with LeBron if we have a look that way fair to say. You're right I mean I think that everybody respects the decisions -- you free agent. Certain that right in and. You're thoughts about Dan Gilbert's comments coming back to him inappropriate and appropriate understandable what do you think. It appropriate I don't think that. -- understandable but. -- Not like he was thrown -- towel while Leo -- the controller and and and -- Is this insists make life tougher for the Boston Celtics obviously. They were good team in Cleveland when he was there and Cleveland's not as good but you handled them. In the playoffs you just handle them. Is it gonna be tough to handle this loaded he team. They're -- no matter where the problems though it is going to be in the Eastern Conference they gonna be really good at least in New York users. In -- Butte creek regardless. We have the top ten players and the top two players only. As good a handle. And I think there are. Out. -- -- I think you have Tony Allen around away you don't have. Well I don't let him get away Danny after the playoffs seem like invaluable peace not all that expensive. And with guys like wade in and and LeBron out there and it'll be in your conference. It seem like you could really use that a stopper like Tony Allen. He spoke in right away and words he'd -- at play he saw his role here. Can answer that question more we we were in the same ballpark -- wives. And now like now it. Our players are. OK. Fine -- wireless. So keep. -- remember complaints art. -- You know our prestige and the performance. Tires -- to prop up the thirteenth of thirty -- should. And want to expand. His career where -- rule shortly -- more as a -- And obviously. I don't have access to your in season schedule but I can only assume that you run a European scouting trip. During Miami's five game elimination by the Celtics -- Jermaine O'Neal went nine for 44. He was getting killed. Everywhere and I was I was shocked. To my socks when I heard you signed him what do you know about -- Oren O'Neal that no one else who watched that series happens to believe. Aren't out there. Robots that don't end up. You know Jermaine did not play well again that's what happened is -- -- -- eight ankle and that it expects they'll. Use them. -- We. -- to get better as he's. Here for serious ankle injury as playing. A audience. In this process started and bring. Senator nobody more so -- her. Kirk came into my office said in sent. In a couple things and name -- and it. -- -- -- -- Or at a decent year -- struggled a per -- mean. On hold that against them. Repeat at great etiquette pretty. And then you know right out alive -- -- Gardner. On the team felt like -- We -- available at. Pretty. Old. In a -- to -- I think it was pretty and at. But frankly he seemed and maybe I'm just looking at too small sample here can you said he was injured against the Celtics. He seemed for lack of a better term euphemistically. On motivated against the Celtics a 23 million dollars a year. Do you think -- be will be motivated with the Celtics at six. You know what I don't think he was done on a page -- I think there's one got hurt. -- the play that might seem an inspired and motivated. Oh you. Mean a lot about Oprah's career. I think you'll be very motivated. And there's lot of good teams out there -- -- -- -- and that's an indication of troops. That that's small -- eyes of the shoot out here is an indication you work. How far down the road did you get at least in your mind with the other -- Shaquille as a possibility. Well. We -- conversation and ever since which. You know in order to -- -- it would it would have to be V sign and trade relations. That -- has been. Ample vote courier like. We conversation. And is so you're still talking Shaquille O'Neal or his representatives. Or the -- and the cavs. Right -- we have that top observations. Out and we. Secure. Is the door closed on Rasheed and does that impact whether. Shaquille becomes more possibility. So I think I don't want him a little adults think that. C news. Much. That's not -- or not shut I don't think it's -- Right now not -- another top priority. I received -- -- is art yes there's yes he's gonna retire. And an upgrade going from Rasheed Wallace and I was older. But Rasheed Wallace to Jermaine O'Neal did you just upgrade at that position. You know I think it and -- young. And Rashied Davis the kind of performance. In the playoffs and stretches the whole. You want regular season but I hope that you mean without a little more left in the tank. Which. And we asked this earlier and I I guess the tough question for you to answer but as a GM just in -- -- there's some small sense of disappointment. When you don't change anything you just go into the next season with the same team and hope for the best -- don't you. As a GM as a -- -- -- -- our president vice president as a as a personal basketball operations and that you live for that day that you. Want to. Overhaul which -- upgrade change. What you have to change every you change something to keep things fresh to keep moving forward. -- Everybody likes to use that word change but I mean hopefully you're progressing. And you don't make change for change sake but you'd tried to make upgrades to system. -- I think. To -- dispute -- Where that challenges they don't want to get stagnant pale pink. We can't make changes are significant at the same -- -- it changes because I think the reason that we at. Or. Especially -- here. On our -- that ought to the fact RT. And together. And or guys get together and -- system. It's turned up a little bit. Our -- playoff series. Against my aunt in Cleveland and -- steps in and. And you think you can do that again you see another run you right last year when you predicted and docs and you were close you -- right. -- you gonna go on record as saying that can happen again. For two reasons actually let's a much thirteen key. Where you've seen all year EG. OC's over a much better now. -- year in -- start strength training very late and so I think I am encouraged by the possibility. -- and be better this year. Very good Ray Allen Ray Allen got hurt. -- beer. We've talked about. You on after that is acting early next. Yet the -- art bruises. Back to figure it all black. And finals. And that Red Hat trick here edit last year here. Shooting inside the -- And any really stepped up shot the ball outside the 3 point line. I am encouraged raced a lot. All -- -- all not so. He's 100%. All great last year and at -- at all PG. -- there's no reason they can get help these players. Should be should be market players now. But Denny at at and with the age of the Big Three totaling a hundred now is it realistic realistic to expect. That they and Jermaine O'Neal can go through much of next season about somebody having some sort of a local major injury but significant injury. Well all right I understand that that's. What we need. Yeah but it arts -- beat these airing of the vote. We need another big mayor we need to back -- for all race -- our roster. -- -- -- I'm not worried about. Two Wii injury you're. Injury we can. Survive and post and the -- pain he's. Oh. It's. It did which decision came closer to not happening the way it did. -- coming back or Ray Allen coming back. It. Aren't all all the long miserable commute patent although I have stood up. And iPad app. Really am not sure. That fox decision as much different than it -- in. The year or. Aaron and what that in fact it was publicized. And so the -- talked about. I think it -- That at least a year evaluate the situation and them it's a very strong. Compact all oh. -- -- -- -- I felt like -- strap. And then it was a half a year a lot of reason. And so at that time I concede that happening that it -- on -- play out started responding in. Well I I felt. -- -- What made it's so tough I don't know what -- Obviously was a veteran crew was there one thing was that Rasheed Wallace what why did he have a tough time you know mentally emotionally this year. Underachieving. And I think it's with all the entries and and I think. Saw some -- wondered maybe which what direction they go. Courage to all in all players. And now. Elect you come back but again it all -- as -- the story came out. And it's common that kind of what the story. I guess what the story because because he says that all the time but -- elections -- And sort -- Did did you talk a minute come -- back. I did not -- -- -- -- -- that org and become acting. You'd organization on him and I think it's matter of him doing what he usually does acutely without. And attention. Anywhere instead of the freeagent fraught with Josh Howard and possibly JJ Redick who as a sign in Brasilia. Contract offer from Chicago but is you've got your interest and and. It -- Redick is out of the picture for everybody except for and Chicago so he signed a contract. With Chicago and and the action -- in there and -- out. Does Matt Barnes make more sense defensive minded Celtics look -- help behind Paul Pierce is that happening. Well the problem out. Street lawyer start for the last student opt out of his contract. Yes expertise of making more money last year and alt opt opt for a it. I know this is this is back to the limited sample of valuations so maybe this is that a fair question but based on what you've scene of -- -- -- Give us some idea of what if things progressed the way they normally would with the rookie what kind of role if any he would have on this team next year. -- -- John you know here we are talking about current -- -- breaking news new -- You played really well. Made first team all summer league -- and ego. Optional. And you know he's got them. Oh game. Mostly sides -- pre positioned should all -- them all off he would. You are not like. And so we anticipate that you'll be on the roster this year a significant. Role. Will be this to be deterrent. What what can we expect to see Kendrick Perkins back in the starting line up. -- -- ought I don't know -- that it -- -- objective. -- -- -- Be gaps and -- late February. Long. You know -- will be will be very careful with her. And not being rushed. Him back. Against which can't be -- earlier it that realistic. While -- Jermaine O'Neal though is starting. -- that he's making enough money to be a stunning senator in this -- I don't know. I'm now out as -- -- -- It any thought -- question for me looking back. And obviously -- that being twentieth when he is signing Rajon Rondo to that contract extension. See you make considerable amount of money. Had he gone to a limited free agency you have the right to -- something somebody else would have given him did you save the owners some money with a deal. I think we did it yet on the money. Unbelievable out of anybody could. -- that I save it yeah I agree I think a lot of I think on have been ought to this summer. Although it would have been restricted and we would've been matching. So maybe that kept upright a little bit. I think it was good because. It's a different John last year and I think it's. Some pressure off them. People able acts as a trio playing I think it is our relationship. Maturity leadership and -- -- at so. -- most important we. Spent on. What do you think the number would be if you were -- restricted free agent at a numbers would somebody be tossing a result -- you gave what 55. Five but you know what it's hard to -- because I think that it would -- she would get a number. That he would be excited that out as. I think everybody in the league right now with no that we were in -- match which one I lot of money in -- restrict it. So I think result might make -- but but you'd never know because of that restrict its. He is the -- public director of basketball operations Denny thanks for the time two more weeks and aperture feet up and take a well deserved rest. Thanks Betty arrangement doesn't -- element AT&T hot -- brought to you by AT&T rethink possible.