Danny Ainge takes responsibility for recent Celtics fights

February 15, 2021 | 2:09 p.m.

The Celtics’ game couldn’t be much worse lately.

After an 8-3 start to the season, Boston have lost 10 of their last 15 games, giving the team a 13-13 record as the season nears halfway.

Perhaps the lowest point of the season for the Celtics came on Sunday when they were embarrassed by the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Wizards, 104-91. Sunday’s loss came less than 48 hours after their loss to the Pistons, who hold the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics’ game has not been encouraging lately. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge seems to know that as well. In an interview with The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy, Ainge has been blamed for the team’s recent play and said the coaching staff was not at fault.

“Sure!” Ainge said in response to a question if it was time to start criticizing him. “We don’t play with the passion we need. I think it’s about the players. And the team’s players are on me.

Ainge told Shaughnessy that “there are things I could have done better” and he “will take that responsibility”.

“It’s a team that was put together by me, and we don’t play with enough consistency and urgency,” said Ainge, “and it’s my job to watch to see what we can do to improve. the team, but it’s still a lot more difficult than improving from within.

With the March 25 trade deadline just over a month away, some are speculating if it’s time for the Celtics to trade in order to get them out of their slippage. Ainge did not rule out the possibility of an exchange.

“Just changing your face doesn’t always change things,” Ainge said, “but it might just have to come to that.”

If the Celtics decide to trade, they have assets at their disposal. They have the $ 28.5 million trade exception they received when Gordon Hayward left for the Hornets in November. They also have five players who were selected in the first round of the last three drafts, plus Tristan Thompson, who is now eligible to be traded after signing a two-year, $ 19 million deal during the offseason.

While the Celtics have avenues for a trade if they decide to pursue one, Ainge doesn’t seem ready to go yet. He told Shaughnessy that it’s definitely not the time to panic, but it is always the time to think.

Ainge said he saw a “constant lack of urgency” from his side at this point, but said the team’s recent playoffs and the 8-3 start to the season could be the point. cause. Because of that, the youth of the squad and the injuries they’ve faced this season, Ainge said he didn’t think “that was the bottom.”

“The bottom line would be if we expected to win a playoff series and lose to a team we were supposed to beat,” Ainge said. “It would be the lowest. I’ve seen too many bad times in regular season basketball to consider this rock bottom. But having said that, we have played very, very poorly and inconsistently and not urgent enough in the last few weeks.

Ainge knows his fan base has been tough during the struggles as well. However, he appreciates it.

“I like the fact that the fans are not patient,” Ainge said. “We need to have more urgency. I love it when players realize that our fans hold our players and all of us a high responsibility.

“To wear this uniform, there is a lot to do. People are fighting for you because of the success you have had, and in part, you have to go out and perform and live up to expectations.

You can read Ainge’s interview with Shaughnessy, here.