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Boston Celtics rumors: Danny Ainge isn’t the problem

By Sam Minton

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: General manager and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics attends a game between the Celtics and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: General manager and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics attends a game between the Celtics and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Life hasn’t been great for Boston Celtics fans as of late. The team is struggling with a 13-13 record. They are underperforming but Danny Ainge doesn’t deserve the blame.

The fact that this team is standing at .500 is a travesty. With Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the roster, it is unacceptable.

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There’s no reason that the team should be playing so poorly. Tatum is continuing to play well, but key players such as Kemba Walker appear to be holding the team back.

Danny Ainge spoke to the Boston Globe and took the blame for Boston’s struggles.

"“We’re not playing with the passion that we need. I think that’s on the players. And the players on the team are on me,” the Celtics’ president of basketball operations told The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy on Monday.“… This is a team that was put together by me, and we’re not playing with enough consistency and urgency, and it’s my job to look to see what we can do to improve the team, but that’s always much harder than improving from within.”"

Now, this is a great move by Ainge. He shows players that he isn’t simply going to blame them. That would be the easy way out. It’s just another way that Ainge has made Boston a desirable place for upcoming free agents.

So is Ainge really the problem or is it somewhere else?

Who really is the problem for the Boston Celtics?

Now Ainge mentioned that players aren’t showing enough urgency. This is a fact but maybe it’s not their fault?

Brad Stevens deserves to be criticized. He needs to have the players ready to play each and every night. If they aren’t showing urgency it’s on him.

There have also been times when Stevens has made some questionable decisions. Whether it be tinkering with the lineup or refusing to take a necessary timeout, Stevens is not perfect.

Frankly, if the Celtics continue to play like this, Stevens’ status as head coach needs to be reevaluated. Some might devalue the importance of a good head coach but it’s an important part of a championship-caliber team.

Ainge helped construct the big three. Without him, Boston doesn’t have a 17th championship banner. There’s also the fact that Ainge has been great at signing key players to long term deals. Tatum and Brown are locked up for the foreseeable future and for a relatively decent price.

So it might surprise some Celtics fans but Ainge doesn’t deserve the blame. If anyone does it’s the head coach. He needs to do a better job of preparing the team night in and night out.

Next. Why future of C's is in jeopardy. dark

If Boston doesn’t start playing better, Brad could be feeling the pressure and worrying about if he will have a job next season. The C’s can’t waste the futures of Brown and Tatum by not having the right pieces to help these two guys flourish

Man has 2021 been a rough year for the Celtics.

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