Danny Ainge has conditioned Celtics fans to eagerly anticipate the run-up to the draft and free agency over the last few years.
It all started in 2008, when the news of the Kevin Garnett trade dropped on a perfect summer evening and changed the destiny of the franchise instantly. The summers following the 2008 championship were pretty quiet, though, featuring a few tweaks to a championship-caliber roster.
Ten years after that franchise-altering offseason, Ainge should chart a similar course. A little touch-up and a little paint, as The Boss once crooned in "Human Touch." A better choice for this summer's theme song would come from the Guns 'N Roses catalogue -- "Patience."
Ainge has masterfully and relentlessly reinvented the Celtics during his tenure, but the roster assembled during the Brad Stevens era has been downright Auerbachian. From the endless acquisition of top draft picks, to moving off players like Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley at the exact right time, his moves have been exceptional.
The reason is that Ainge, like Patriots mastermind Bill Belichick, just devours his sport. He lives and breathes basketball and every thought that goes into every move is another piece in the process that will ultimately inch the Celtics closer to Banner 18. That is his sole mission, and he's obsessed. Playing on the 1980s championship teams will breed that into you and it certainly has with Ainge. However, here's where it gets tricky -- the current roster is the one he actually needs, and my concern is that Ainge gets bored.
Ainge is a gunslinger who enjoys the action. Why wouldn't he? He's a gifted executive and the adrenaline rush that comes with pulling off a franchise-changing deal must be downright euphoric. Practicing patience isn't always easy. Craving the action can be addicting. Asking a guy like Ainge not to make a deal is like telling a smoker to quit before they're ready.
Making matters worse, one player we're talking about acquiring is LeBron James! Yeah, him!
Rumors have been circling since the season ended that the Celtics are in the mix for both LeBron James and the disgruntled Kawhi Leonard. Three to five years ago, I would have salivated at the thought of picking up The King or an All-Star like Leonard, but I've got to be honest, I'm just not that interested. Count me in as being fully invested in this current Celtics team that features a young core that has gripped Celtics Nation with its grit, skill and desire.
In 2013, the Celtics held a summer press conference introducing their newest acquisitions. The presser featured the likes of Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and Keith Bogans. It was forgettable at best. Fast forward five years and the thought that the Celtics would actually be knocking on the door of serious championship contention was nothing but a distant pipe dream. Ainge has not only built a championship contender right now, but seemingly has a championship path for the next several years. Isn't this what all those years of building were for?
The ride to the championship is always the most fun. Think about how you felt about the 2008 Celtics or better yet the 2001 Pats leading into their first Super Bowl. The journey of this young and lovable Celtics team is still on an upward trajectory. That means more fun and exhilaration await. The idea of watching Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum for the next decade is far more intriguing and exciting than moving for LeBron James, no matter how spectacular he is. Look, I certainly wouldn't complain if the Celtics picked up LeBron James, but I'd rather see the Celtics win with these young core guys. You know, our guys. Celtics guys.
This is a gritty, hungry, focused, prepared and talented young core that includes a superstar in his prime in Kyrie Irving and an All-Star we've barely seen in Gordon Hayward. The plan is working. Both the present and the future are bright. Ainge has worked really hard to plant the championship seeds needed and I for one would like to see this particular garden grow and bare its own local fruit. LeBron James? Kawhi Leonard? None for me, thanks. I like this team just fine and unlike the underwhelming reaction to the 2013 off-season transactions that featured the arrivals of Messrs. Humphries, Brooks and Bogans, I think this time around guys like that to fill in the holes will be greeted just fine. Welcome to Boston, Brad Wanamaker!
If you're looking for fireworks, check out Boston-central.com, which has listings of all available fireworks displays across the state for your local Independence Day celebration. If you're looking to win a championship and enjoy the ride to the fullest possible extent, then ride with this Celtics team as is.
Here's hoping Danny is listening. Don't mess up the future for a short-term fix. Just so you know, I'm not desperate to win Banner 18. I'm more excited about winning it with the current core players. Just sayin'.
