Danny Ainge

Danny Ainge had a mild heart attack. I wish Danny all the best and especially a speedy recovery. Ainge doesn't get the credit he deserves - not even from the fans in Boston.

Ainge returned to the Celtics in 2003 when he was hired as the Executive Director of Basketball Operations. Not the President - that title Ainge made sure was returned to Red Auerbach who had been stripped of the title during the reign of ego maniac Rick Pitino. Only after the death of Red did Ainge become President of Basketball Operations. That was the classy thing to do and Ainge did it with little or no fanfare.

Not all of his moves have been perfect but he brought Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to town and with them the Celtics were able to win the championship last year. When the Celtics won the championship - Ainge pretty much stayed in the shadows to allow Doc Rivers and the players the spotlight. Again - a classy thing to do that brought little fanfare.

It his his skill at judging talent that especially goes under-appreciated. Ainge traded for the rights to draft Rajon Rondo; he drafted high schooler Kendrick Perkins because he saw in him a future NBA starter at center; Leon Powe; Big Baby Davis, the number of diamonds in the rough goes on and on. Do you think the Celtics are able to acquire Kevin Garnett if Aigne first didn't recognize the value of an Al Jefferson and a Ryan Gomes?

Danny Ainge may be under-appreciated in some circles but not here. I wish him all the best and most of all a speedy recovery.