Danny Ainge feeling pressure, staying patient

General Manager Danny Ainge dreams of Banner 18

For an organization so accustomed to success, impatience inevitably mounts when the reality of a gradual rebuild sets in. The Celtics have a variety of assets, including promising young guns, high-potential rookies, key role players, a slew of future picks and even an established star. Despite toting all kinds of alluring value, it seems the big "fireworks" move has been unavailable to GM Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics. Ainge wants to bring the C's back to prominence, but he knows patience for the right moves remains key to the organization's future. Via the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett:

“I feel pressure from within,” Ainge said. “I have this fear of failing. But I’m also very content. I want desperately to put up more banners in Boston, but I know that I can’t be impatient and that I can’t listen to those that don’t really know what’s going on. I have to listen to the people I trust and trust my own instincts. I think just being patient is key."

Though the fireworks Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck wished for never came to fruition, Ainge avoids getting caught up in the disappointment:

“It would be complaining and whining about things that you really don’t have any control over,” Ainge said. “The competition is fierce. There’s a limited number of superstars available to try to build around. The challenge is building through the draft."

Despite feeling pressure, Ainge's job is not in jeopardy, and why would it be? The Celts' GM is no stranger to rebuilding, as his efforts throughout the early 2000s culminated in the 2008 NBA championship and the 2010 finalists.

Ainge expressed excitement and curiosity with the roster he's assembled, noting that no line-up is set in stone:

“I guess in the day of 20-man camps and 15-man rosters, it’s not perfectly balanced,” Ainge said. “But I like all the players that we have. It’s hard to even know who’s going to win jobs and win all the minutes on the team, and that’s fun in a way. . .I enjoy it. I really like watching our guys play. I’m really excited about the season and to see what sort of strides guys have made over the offseason and what our new guys can do, as well. I’m looking forward to it.”

Though this roster may be fun, it seems nobody is truly safe. For now, Ainge and Celtics fans will continue to play the waiting game.