ECSF GM Interview Series: Red Auerbach
Jun 13, 2017 16:42:51 GMT -5
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Post by Adrian Wojnarowski on Jun 13, 2017 16:42:51 GMT -5
After last night's intense Game 5 between Boston and Orlando that saw the Magic eliminated from playoff contention, I knew it was the perfect time to talk with Red Auerbach, the GM of the Boston Celtics, and discuss the year his team has had, everything they've gone through in the playoffs, his championship aspirations, and what his goals are for this offseason. With the few days off from being the first team to advance to the Conference Finals, Red was gracious enough to find the time to sit down with me.
Woj: Red, you easily have one of the most talented teams in the league, but this was the first season you really lived up to expectations. From this previous offseason, I'd like to hear your perspective on the year played out. What was your plan, and how much of it did you accomplish?
Red: First, I want to thank you for the compliment of you thinking the Boston Celtics are one of the most talented teams. Our front office has really worked hard to put good talent on the floor. Being able to find those quality players, we have tried to let them build the chemistry needed to pursue a championship. Looking over the 2015-16 season compared to this season we made a lot fewer trades. I really thought we might have a shot at Durant or another big name free agent last summer but we were not able to land one. The previous summer we brought in Paul Millsap. We feel he is a valuable part of the team and I hope to have him on our team going forward.
Beginning the season, I knew I had a good team, but I also knew we might be missing a few pieces. We were able to find one of those pieces, Jonas Valanciunas, when we made a deal sending a couple of our free agent signees from the summer, Rodney Stuckey and Wilson Chandler, along with veteran all-star and team leader Dirk Nowitzki. We were able to pull Dirk and Dwyane in from Toronto in a 2016 deal. However, we also brought in an albatross of a salary, Tyson Chandler. Looking back, there are a few trades, I wish I would not have made. Trading him and the two picks to Washington is one of them. But that is hindsight - I did not know how free agency would turn out when the deal was made.
Woj: How happy are you with where you're at now?
Red: Every contending team shoots to win their conference and play for a championship. Looking at all the teams before the season began, I felt that both of these goals were realistic. New York and Cleveland have both put together quality teams who are competing for the same thing as the Celtics. They want to win the Eastern Conference Finals and be able to represent the East in the NBA Finals. As General Manager of the Boston Celtics, I am very pleased with both the growth of my team and individual players. I feel we had two players who were in competition for the MVP award, Mr. Westbrook and Mr. Thomas. That is something which truly shows on our team, players willing to play in a different spot for the betterment of the team.
Woj: With some hard work to build your current team, you find yourself in a great position as the first team to advance to the Conference Finals. What is your strategy from here on out? Do you feel confident about your chances through the rest of the playoffs? What are your thoughts on the Magic and the other teams you might encounter going forward?
Red: It did take some work to build our current team. We are thankful to be in the position we are, still competing in the playoffs. Orlando is a very good team with Paul, McCullom, Derozan, Randolph, and Lopez. That is a stout team and our guys had to play some of their best basketball in order to pull out the series and get the opportunity to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. My team has competed and proved successful throughout the season. My plan is to allow them to play their established roles and show their toughness, in working to win the upcoming series. I feel we are a really good team, but at this stage, they're all good teams. The Cavaliers have Antetokoumnpo, who I think can be a generational star. The Knicks have a solid set of three players in Walker, Jokic, and Jordan. These players cause both of their teams to be tough, and we know either team would give us a dogfight of a series. As you mentioned, we have a lot of talent, though, and I feel we have a really good chance of making it to the Finals.
There are a couple of past moves I wish I would not have made that I think would put us in an even better position right now, but that's water under the bridge. I realize I have to be careful with the moves I make, but the only thing I can do now is focus on helping my team win the games left in front of us.
Woj: Win or lose, what are your goals this offseason? If this season doesn't end in your favor, do you have a time frame for a winning a championship with this core that you think is reachable? Do you plan to be active in free agency? If not, how do you plan to improve between now and then?
Red: I may have tipped my hand a little early for the offseason. There is a trade on the books, already, but there may be more happening with that trade. We will just have to stay tuned and find out. This past offseason, we signed a couple of guys who I felt would add to the team, but have regressed in their games. I feel our window is now, and to help build for that championship we hopefully will be able to bring in one player to help our team, and possibly find a few more who want to play for a championship. We have a strong starting five and a good 6th man. They will have to add quality depth if they want to improve beyond where we are now. We will be looking for that depth through free agency. At this point with the way the Celtics are playing, I will have to be strategic in what the best plan of attack is moving forward.
After talking with Red, he seemed proud of his team and capable of taking a step back and enjoying the moment despite expressing some regret about past actions that may have left his Celtics in a worse place today. Regardless of his opponent in the Conference Finals, I think it is safe to say his Celtics have proven they shouldn't be counted out among the contenders to win a championship.
Woj: Red, you easily have one of the most talented teams in the league, but this was the first season you really lived up to expectations. From this previous offseason, I'd like to hear your perspective on the year played out. What was your plan, and how much of it did you accomplish?
Red: First, I want to thank you for the compliment of you thinking the Boston Celtics are one of the most talented teams. Our front office has really worked hard to put good talent on the floor. Being able to find those quality players, we have tried to let them build the chemistry needed to pursue a championship. Looking over the 2015-16 season compared to this season we made a lot fewer trades. I really thought we might have a shot at Durant or another big name free agent last summer but we were not able to land one. The previous summer we brought in Paul Millsap. We feel he is a valuable part of the team and I hope to have him on our team going forward.
Beginning the season, I knew I had a good team, but I also knew we might be missing a few pieces. We were able to find one of those pieces, Jonas Valanciunas, when we made a deal sending a couple of our free agent signees from the summer, Rodney Stuckey and Wilson Chandler, along with veteran all-star and team leader Dirk Nowitzki. We were able to pull Dirk and Dwyane in from Toronto in a 2016 deal. However, we also brought in an albatross of a salary, Tyson Chandler. Looking back, there are a few trades, I wish I would not have made. Trading him and the two picks to Washington is one of them. But that is hindsight - I did not know how free agency would turn out when the deal was made.
Woj: How happy are you with where you're at now?
Red: Every contending team shoots to win their conference and play for a championship. Looking at all the teams before the season began, I felt that both of these goals were realistic. New York and Cleveland have both put together quality teams who are competing for the same thing as the Celtics. They want to win the Eastern Conference Finals and be able to represent the East in the NBA Finals. As General Manager of the Boston Celtics, I am very pleased with both the growth of my team and individual players. I feel we had two players who were in competition for the MVP award, Mr. Westbrook and Mr. Thomas. That is something which truly shows on our team, players willing to play in a different spot for the betterment of the team.
Woj: With some hard work to build your current team, you find yourself in a great position as the first team to advance to the Conference Finals. What is your strategy from here on out? Do you feel confident about your chances through the rest of the playoffs? What are your thoughts on the Magic and the other teams you might encounter going forward?
Red: It did take some work to build our current team. We are thankful to be in the position we are, still competing in the playoffs. Orlando is a very good team with Paul, McCullom, Derozan, Randolph, and Lopez. That is a stout team and our guys had to play some of their best basketball in order to pull out the series and get the opportunity to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. My team has competed and proved successful throughout the season. My plan is to allow them to play their established roles and show their toughness, in working to win the upcoming series. I feel we are a really good team, but at this stage, they're all good teams. The Cavaliers have Antetokoumnpo, who I think can be a generational star. The Knicks have a solid set of three players in Walker, Jokic, and Jordan. These players cause both of their teams to be tough, and we know either team would give us a dogfight of a series. As you mentioned, we have a lot of talent, though, and I feel we have a really good chance of making it to the Finals.
There are a couple of past moves I wish I would not have made that I think would put us in an even better position right now, but that's water under the bridge. I realize I have to be careful with the moves I make, but the only thing I can do now is focus on helping my team win the games left in front of us.
Woj: Win or lose, what are your goals this offseason? If this season doesn't end in your favor, do you have a time frame for a winning a championship with this core that you think is reachable? Do you plan to be active in free agency? If not, how do you plan to improve between now and then?
Red: I may have tipped my hand a little early for the offseason. There is a trade on the books, already, but there may be more happening with that trade. We will just have to stay tuned and find out. This past offseason, we signed a couple of guys who I felt would add to the team, but have regressed in their games. I feel our window is now, and to help build for that championship we hopefully will be able to bring in one player to help our team, and possibly find a few more who want to play for a championship. We have a strong starting five and a good 6th man. They will have to add quality depth if they want to improve beyond where we are now. We will be looking for that depth through free agency. At this point with the way the Celtics are playing, I will have to be strategic in what the best plan of attack is moving forward.
After talking with Red, he seemed proud of his team and capable of taking a step back and enjoying the moment despite expressing some regret about past actions that may have left his Celtics in a worse place today. Regardless of his opponent in the Conference Finals, I think it is safe to say his Celtics have proven they shouldn't be counted out among the contenders to win a championship.