Ainge as Coach

[Frederick Hurley]

I know Danny Ainge, and his role in the Celtics future, is a hot-button
issue on the list.  I also don't want to start a crazy argument.  I do
have a question, though.

In Bill Simmons' "Doc's Been Fired," column, he talks about Ainge being
forced into coaching the team (or choosing to do so) after Doc is let go.

He claims that Ainge was seen as one of the best young coaches in the
league when he was with the Suns, before stepping down for family reasons.

He also said that this success came with a team that, while not without
talent, was hardly a juggernaut.

I honestly don't have strong memories of the Suns during that period.  How
good a coach WAS Ainge?  Was he actually a really promising young coach,
that could manage a game and get the most out of his players?  If so, is
it not actually a promising idea to have him coach the team?  I've seen it
referred to as a punishment, a la Isiah Thomas in New York, but is it
really?  Might it actually be the best possible option?