An Open Letter To Danny Ainge

Dear Danny,

Glad to hear that you are recovering nicely. Now on to the business at hand.

When you were a player I hated you immensely; you were an annoying gnat that caused me to root against the Celtics.  I was glad when they traded you, but felt for you when "Big Shot Rob" threw a towel in your face when you coached the Phoenix Suns.

When you became the GM of the Celtics you surprised me how Auerbachian you were in the knowledge of the game and its personnel. You pulled a coup with the trade that brought to Boston Garnett and Allen to form the PGA tour with Pierce.  Banner 17 was raised ( I was there that October night when the banner was raised) with that crew.

Now the shine as worn of this vaunted threesome; Garnett has knee issues, Ray-Ray started out slowly in the playoffs this year and Pierce hasn't elevated his game.

The bench you have assembled has shown that you are relying to much on a one dimensional player that hurts you more often than not in crucial situations. 

Eddie House, the man who broke your three-point percentage record, has been more often missing than hitting in the first two playoff games.

Mikki Moore, a tin man if I ever saw one, lacks heart and smarts to understand that he is a legit 7-footer.  Patrick O'Bryant where are you now? 

Stephon Marbury has yet to rediscover his game averaging 1 ppg, he is the one person you desperately need to breakout of his slump.  Add to that the recent loss of Leon Powe to a torn ACL has your team is in a tailspin.

If this team wants to see another duckboat ride through Government Center, they have to play defense.  That in itself is a tall order when the only person that is fleet of foot in your starting lineup is Rondo.

As much as I would like to see that happen (last year I was only able to watch it at work online), it will not happen unless KG comes walking out on the parquet or the United Center floor.  

The Celtics won the majority of their championships without a legitimate seven-footer. Russell, at 6-foot-9, was the anchor of 11 of those the only man in any sport to ever accomplish that feat.

You Danny know what it was like to play with the original big three who brought three championships to the gah-den.   As well as winning one as the GM.

This modern day Celtic brotherhood, who invigorated the NBA and brought back Celtic Pride, must remember what that means. 

Yes, Danny it starts now, the Celtics have a new lease on life and the series is tied 1-1.    

They must gather, this band of brotherhood; and rally around the UBUNTU cry for defense. 

Sincerely,

An optimistic fan.