Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

C's Ainge: More roster moves needed last year

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 26 November 2019 11:41

Expectations were sky high for last year's Boston Celtics, but a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference and second-round playoff loss forced president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to reflect on the decisions he made.

"I think that in hindsight we should have cleaned out the roster a little bit to make it easier for (coach) Brad (Stevens), more joy for him to coach," Ainge told ESPN's Rachel Nichols.

The Celtics were expected to be title contenders in 2018-19 after losing in Game 7 of the conference finals the year before with a team devoid of injured stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. However, the duo's return to a rotation that featured Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown, Al Horford, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart led to a logjam of players.

"It just didn't mesh," Ainge said. "You know, it just didn't and I knew, and we talked about it."

Ultimately, Ainge said he refrained from trading any players last season because, after an uneven start, the team entered the All-Star break 37-21.

"So that's why I didn't do any deals, but in hindsight, you know, I would," Ainge told ESPN.

Going forward, Ainge said he'd be "a little bit more careful ... building another team that had such equal depth."

This year's Celtics are tied for the second-best record in the East at 12-4. They've done that without Irving and Horford, who each left in free agency, or Rozier, who was traded to Charlotte as part of a deal to acquire Kemba Walker.

And while some have attempted to cast blame on Irving for the failing of last year's Celtics, Ainge says that's unfair.

"I think it's silly that Kyrie is targeted as the guy just because he's not with us this year," said Ainge, who thinks he was also part of the problem.

"I'll blame all the players and I'll blame myself and we'll go from there."

Read 373 times

Soccer

Sources: Police question player amid rape claims

Sources: Police question player amid rape claims

EmailPrintA Premier League footballer accused of rape has been questioned by police for a second tim...

Vinícius is a star at Real Madrid, but why not for Brazil?

Vinícius is a star at Real Madrid, but why not for Brazil?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAdditional reporting by Gustavo Hofman.Vinícius Júnior didn't win t...

Laporte open to joining injury-hit Real Madrid

Laporte open to joining injury-hit Real Madrid

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAl Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte has said he would listen to an ap...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Standings: Biggest surprises and underperformers of the season so far

Standings: Biggest surprises and underperformers of the season so far

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2024-25 NBA season is just a few weeks old, and teams are alrea...

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- LeBron James recorded the 40th 30-point triple-doubl...

Baseball

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- Ted Williams' Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was pr...

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made some tweaks to Cle...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated