Danny Ainge plays Bigger and Better, teaches us how to love again


You're familiar with the game Bigger and Better, right?

In it, the participant starts with something small and nearly worthless like a paperclip then tries to progressively trade up for items of greater value until scoring some quality treasure.

My children did this a few years ago. Started out with a pencil and ended up with some large pool toy that's sat on the back lawn unused for too long.

But enough about Gerald Wallace.

Danny Ainge has had to negotiate personnel decisions in the NBA in much the same manner. After cleaning out what he determined to be liabilities in getting back to championship status, he had been, of late, busy acquiring paperclips, pencils and other handy, yet common office supplies.

But now he's got something he wants. And rather than satiate his appetite, I'm sure it only made him more hungry.

I'm sure it's made all of us more hungry.

A piece by Scott Souza suggests we are starting to see the beginning of some relationships that might move beyond casual dating to more serious commitment.

For the first time since Ainge began a wholesale roster deconstruction the day of the 2013 NBA Draft...Thursday’s trade deadline day was one of immediate gratification with the acquisition of guard Isaiah Thomas from the Phoenix Suns.

The 26-year-old Thomas represents the most significant trade addition Ainge has made during a stretch that has seen him deal future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo, leading scorer Jeff Green, as well as veterans Jordan Crawford, Courtney Lee, Jason Terry, Kris Humphries, Jameer Nelson and Brandan Wright.

Perhaps now we can begin giving more of our hearts to the some of the Celtics, not guarding ourselves for fear that one day soon someone we support will be gone.

Photo:Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

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