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Big day for Grandpa Ainge

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Danny Ainge was announced yesterday as NBA Executive of the Year, but the Celtics director of basketball operations had more important things on his plate. There was, of course, the critical Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals that the C's were preparing to play last night at the Garden against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then there was the fact Ainge was running around with a smile on his face because daughter Ashley had just given birth to his sixth grandchild, a girl.

Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, AP Boston Celtics, AP
May 15, 2008  08:06 AM ET

I hate to say this because I've been on his case a lot, but it should have been Mitch Kupchak. Mitch took the same roster that had everybody up in arms about talent and they were in first place. He then orchestrated what could turn out to be the hiest of the century (depending on what Marc Gasol, Crittenton and the draft picks turn out to be) in landing a a great post player in Pau Gasol while only losing a young pg that didn't play much and a HORRIBLE center who shouldn't have played much. He (seemingly) didn't give much up, and he stood pat when the demand was out there to trade Kobe Bryant. He should have won the award.

May 15, 2008  08:34 AM ET

That trade between the Lakers and Memphis is to fishy for Kupchak to win. Ainge made a bold move and changed the direction of the franchise he traded some decent young pieces away to bring in veterans Garnett and Allen so they could win now.

May 15, 2008  09:02 AM ET

From the outhouse to the penthouse. Last year this time, he was an inept incompetent. He must have really applied himself in summer school.

May 15, 2008  09:06 AM ET

Ainge a grandpa ?! Wow !! He must be the youngest-looking grandpa ever.
And he already has 6 grandchildren. Incredible.
Time really flies. I remember when he was just a young guy playing with the Celtics. I guess his family breeds well. Good for him!
Now, back to the picture. That has got to be one of the strangest basketball pictures I've seen. Davis is showing the leg flexibility required to play professional basketball. If his legs were a little wider apart, he would almost be doing the splits. It's a good thing that these players all stretch before taking the court.
- JL

May 15, 2008  10:05 AM ET

Davis and Szczerbiak need to get a room.... Jeesh!

May 15, 2008  10:13 AM ET

Whew, that was a nail-biter last night but IT'S LOVELY IN LAKERLAND!!!

May 15, 2008  10:22 AM ET

Mitch Kupchak should have got it

May 15, 2008  10:39 AM ET

That trade between the Lakers and Memphis is to fishy for Kupchak to win.
notbychoice | 05/15/08, 08:34 AM

And the trade with McHale to get Garnett?

May 15, 2008  10:42 AM ET

What difference does it make? Did you see the size of that trophy? I give out bigger trophies to my middle-school players

May 15, 2008  12:12 PM ET

That guy owes me big.

Regards,

Kevin McHale

May 15, 2008  12:15 PM ET

Was the grandchild another gift from Kevin McHale?

May 15, 2008  12:56 PM ET

That's fantastic you are the G.M. of the year and a new grandpa BUT will you please "put away" the Cavs sooner than later !!!

May 15, 2008  12:58 PM ET

Wht wasn't Kevin McHale co-executive of the year for the work he did with the Celtics. Oh right, he works for the Timberwolves. lol.

May 15, 2008  12:58 PM ET

Why wasn't Kevin McHale co-executive of the year for the work he did with the Celtics. Oh right, he works for the Timberwolves. lol.

May 15, 2008  01:31 PM ET

That trade between the Lakers and Memphis is to fishy for Kupchak to win. Ainge made a bold move and changed the direction of the franchise he traded some decent young pieces away to bring in veterans Garnett and Allen so they could win now.

notbychoice

Trade? bening over and giving your team away does not equal a trade.

May 15, 2008  01:41 PM ET

celtics should get an * damn cheaters

May 15, 2008  01:58 PM ET

At Minnesota got Jefferson in the KG deal....... Memphis just gave up Gasol.....for basically nothing

May 15, 2008  02:38 PM ET

Before you blast the Memphis trade, wait a couple of years. I think this will turn out to be a good trade for the Grizzlies. They got Marc Gasol (Pau's younger brother and a pretty good player), Javaris Crittenton and two first round picks.

Basically the Lakers sold their future to win now.

As for the Timberwolves, the Lakers offered Bynum and Odom for KG. A far better deal than what Boston gave. Give me a break.

May 15, 2008  02:45 PM ET

Ainge had to make a tough choice either continue trying to build with young players or trade them for veterans for short term success. He also had to part with Jefferson and a few other decent role players like Gomes.

Kupchak on the other hand couldn't trade Kobe because of his clause but also he isn't that stupid. He put together a bullsht package and for some reason Memphis took it. The reason why I think its fishy is because that trade was made 3 weeks before the deadline and I just don't buy that they couldn't have got more for Gasol.

So to break it down Ainge did a total 180 with the direction of the team while parting ways with a promising young talent in Jefferson.

Kupchak really couldn't trade Kobe even if he wanted to and somehow pulled of the most lopsided trade in NBA history. So I guess if your opinion of GM of year is pulling a lopsided trade then Kupchak should win but to me it didn't seem right. Either Jerry West had some sort of play there or there was money exchanged under the table. Its probably best Kupchak didn't win or there would be more attention being focused on that trade and then the next thing you know Phil Jackson is testifying before congress.

 
May 15, 2008  03:42 PM ET

NOW HOW CAN AINGE WIN AN EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR HOW? If his buddy did not help him Celts would be lucky to get into playoffs. And what he is bragging that the got Allen. Jee Lets look it the Sonics side - YOu have a 32 shooting guard that maybe got another 2 good years left in him but he is due what 70 mil and you can ship his arse to a team that is willing to give up #5 in a deep draft to get him. THe team is rebuilding and had no future for the next 3-5 years HMMMM no brainer. Ship his Arse to Boston.

What Kupchak did was a creative trade. Who elese would have thought of singning Key to make this trade work. Brain power and being creative. To all that think that the Lakers stole Pau maybe and maybe not. The Lakers did this because they had to shut up Kobe and because Bynum was done for the year. They gave up a very promissing combo guard, best Center in Euro League and potential future allstars if you know what to do with those 2 picks (SA MAVS even Lakers know how to draft well at the bottom of the Draft) So in the Long run Lakers might have overpaid for Pau. But the Lakers HAVE TO WIN NOW because Kobe is not getting any younger.
So how does this compare with Ainge's acquisitions - IT DOES NOT! If it was not for his buddy in Minni.

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