Ainge is pissed at opposing GM's with loose lips

Boston Herald:

But the Celtics leader was upset that the allegedly private conversations had been revealed.

“Hogwash,” was his initial response. “You know what? I don’t comment on any trade rumors at all. It doesn’t do me any good to make any comments at all.”

Reminded that each report had come in perspective, with the Celts asking more than a Rondo’s ransom, Ainge said, “I understand, but it’s just people shouldn’t be talking about other people’s business, and I won’t talk about anybody else’s business. And I won’t talk about my business. So that’s not for other people to talk about, and the people that do talk about it, it shows a lack of integrity.”

Ainge then acknowledged that no Celtic has ever been entirely untouchable during his stewardship of the operation. He has always sought to determine the market value of all his players.

“Yeah,” he said. “I think I have to be that way. That’s my job.”

I don't blame Danny here. Everyone knows that GM's lie, especially at the trade deadline. It's also a GM's job to kick the tires on multiple options. That means guys like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen in previous years are going to come up in trade talks. Doesn't mean they have to be serious talks. I'm sure that 95% of the time it doesn't get to that stage. With that said there's a reason why GM's deny rumors. No one wants to alienate their star players.

I believe Ainge that he doesn't leak names of players being offered to him. And I think he has a right to be pissed at other GM's that keep their mouths shut. Speaking of stars, Danny had some high praise for Rondo in the same Herald column.

“I think Rondo is a special player, and those guys are really, really hard to find in our game. And to appreciate the most about Rondo’s career to this stage, you have to look at what he does in the playoffs. When I look at players, I think about playoff basketball. I think there’s a difference between playoffs and regular season basketball, and Rondo has been a Most Valuable Player in a handful of playoff series over the last five years with some of the best players in the world in those series, including players on his own team.

“He just has the ability to step his game up because of his intensity and determination. Most players can’t do what he does that way.”

Ainge does read my stuff on here after all! Playoff Rondo is a different beast. And I'd much rather have a guy who plays better in the playoffs than in the regular season. Who cares if you're the #1 or #2 seed if you're not going to win a championship. The key is to have a team that can win 4 series in the playoffs. You need players like Rondo to do that. Dennis Johnson was another guy like that. Interesting enough Larry Bird has said he loved both of these guards in the past.

I kind of like when Ainge gets a bit fiery. Hoping he can pull something off today.

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