The Boston Celtics have been blessed with two impeccable normal managers, however who is healthier between the 2?
The Boston Celtics have lengthy sustained their success. Aside from having probably the most NBA titles in league historical past with 18 banners, they’ve now constructed out a decade of being a playoff-caliber membership. They’ve spent that decade in pursuit of their first championship victory since 2008.
In 2024, they completed similar to head coach Joe Mazzulla helped them to the mountaintop of the NBA. It wasn’t with out the assistance of former head coach and present normal supervisor Brad Stevens, who put collectively a juggernaut of a roster to assist them dominate within the NBA Finals.
The membership’s basis of their sustained success was constructed by Danny Ainge, their normal supervisor previous to Stevens’ promotion from coach to government. Which of the 2 is a greater government for the Celtics? Paul Pierce answered the query lately.
Paul Pierce performed most of his profession with Ainge because the lead decision-maker, aside from the tip of his profession the place he performed for a couple of further groups. He was important to the crew successful their 2008 title, although Ainge did roll the cube and purchase Kevin Garnett to assist them ship the championship.
Pierce has additionally been capable of have a front-row seat to watching Stevens’ success with the franchise, and it’s been fast. On a latest episode of “The Fact Lounge,” Pierce was unable to choose which of the 2 have had higher stints with the crew when requested instantly about it.
“Brad Stevens is a tremendous GM,” Pierce mentioned. “I feel [Ainge] molded Brad. I do know they most likely spent a number of time within the workplace collectively as normal supervisor and coach, and choosing one another’s mind about philosophies and gamers, what it’s wish to construct a crew.
“That’s why, when Brad stepped away from the bench, he went proper upstairs. I wager it was a number of conferences with Danny… he was groomed for that position.”
Each Ainge and Stevens made daring, calculated trades to accumulate gamers that might ultimately complement their superstars and assist the Celtics elevate a trophy and add one other banner to the rafters.
Ainge spent 19 years with the Celtics, as talked about, posting an general document of 806-633. Alongside the best way, Ainge helped the membership to a title in 2008 and an NBA Finals loss to the LA Lakers in 2010. After that, he was in a steady hunt for an additional title till he stepped down in his position in 2021, taking his skill to the Utah Jazz.
In simply 4 seasons because the decision-maker, Stevens has achieved two NBA Finals appearances and one victory. The crew has had a 193-79 document because the Celtics are among the many league’s finest groups, if not the NBA’s finest crew, at this cut-off date.
Stevens hasn’t needed to bear a rebuild, however his time as the manager in Boston has gone fairly excellent.
It’s unfair to make any actual comparability, although it’s secure to say the 2 have etched their names into the membership’s wealthy historical past having taken the crew to the mountaintop and elevating the Larry O’Brien.
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