New Celtics Ownership Still Exhibits a Good Degree of Cluelessness

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

While they're making progress, the new Celtics ownership
still exhibits a good degree of cluelessness, as best
exemplified by the following blurb in Steve Bulpett's
article in Friday's Boston Herald:

"The new ownership expressed hope in private that Ainge's presence
in the organization would help the club sell tickets as the price
increases go
into effect for the new season.  The idea is that Ainge
is still a popular figure in the area...."

This reminds me of the naivette exhibited by ML Carr, who signed
Dana Barros as a free agent, thinking that fans would be drawn to the
team because Barros was a local Mattapan product.

It didn't work with Barros, and it won't work for the Ainge persona
either, because it's not the icon or the player that will increase
attendance and renewal of exorbitantly-raised season ticket prices, but
the perceived-and-true results on the court.

If the new ownership allows Ainge to use the mid-level exception to
bring in a quality free
agent -- wouldn't Gilbert Arenas be a nice sign and trade acquisition or
Gary Payton,
or a rebounder etc. -- then those overpriced tickets will sell.

If the new ownership allows Ainge to make dynamic changes -- like
dealing Walker --
rather than just tinkering with the facade, then the
fans will attend the game in abundance.

If Ainge holds true to his word of finding the Celtics a legitimate PF
rebounder and
impact point guard, then interest and season ticket renewals will
flourish.

If Ainge has a quality draft -- Luke Ridnour needs to be high on Ainge's
agenda --
then there's hope.


But adding the Ainge persona alone means little. Only the Bird
phenomena singularly would generate what the owner seem to perceive
with Ainge, and even Bird in time, would need to produce positive
results.
Ray