Danny Ainge on his health, Kyrie Irving, and the Celtics' off season

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Celtics basketball president Danny Ainge spoke to the media for the first time since a heart attack in the playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks in early May.

He touched on various topics, including the state of his state of health as a result of the heart attack, as well as topics related to the team as part of what he called a " off season from A to Z ยป.

His health

When asked how he was recovering from the May 3 heart attack, Ainge was optimistic, even referring to former teammate Bill Walton.

"Yeah, I mean I'm eating more plants, and not the kind of plants in Walton's garden by the way," said Ainge.

The assistants filled in during Ainge's absence, assembling much of the team's draft program.

"I have an excellent bench here too," said Ainge at the Celtics' reception staff. On the question of whether this would affect his future or not, the architect of the current list of Celtics was unequivocal.

"My role will not change," said Ainge.

Kyrie Irving

The team's most urgent question is the future of Kyrie Irving, who can (and likely will) retire from the last year of her contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

Prior to the season, Irving told Celtics season ticket holders that he was considering signing back to Boston for the long term. However, the team's disappointing season seemed to provoke a change in Irving's intentions. Ainge did not seem sure to say too much about the fact that the star player from Boston would hold his commitment before the return season.

"I do not know," Ainge said, wondering if Irving was still planning to sign again. "Honestly, I can not say much about it. But there are conversations going on. We just have to wait and see what happens there. "

Nevertheless, Ainge said he had no news from Irving camp that the 27-year-old guard was planning to leave.

"I have not received this indication, no," Ainge said.

Ainge supported Irving following the team's exit for the second round of playoffs.

"I just think it's unfortunate that a person gets a credit or a fault for a team's failures," Ainge said. "We had a lot of reasons why the team did not succeed this year. Kyrie deserves his share of responsibility, but no more than anyone. There are a lot of guys who have not managed things well and made the necessary sacrifices for the benefit of the team. They will all learn from it, including Kyrie. He is still a young player and I think Kyrie will come back even better next year. "

And on the trade that brought Irving to Boston in 2017, Ainge has no regrets.

"There is always a risk to doing business," Ainge noted. "We are not afraid of risk. We took a risk by exchanging for Kyrie and, anyway, I will never regret it. You have just moved on to the next case. "

The complicated off-season and other thoughts

Ainge has also answered a range of questions about other players and issues, including the impending season. Here are his thoughts on several topics:

Brad Stevens"There is no other coach I would like to have than Brad Stevens," Ainge said. "It's the least of our worries."

Gordon Hayward"I'm really excited for Gordon's upcoming season. He works hard at the gym. He's here every day with five or six coaches, "said Ainge. "I'm expecting great things from Gordon next year."

Restructuring of Al Horford's contract: "This will be discussed."

The 2018-2019 season disappointing: "I think we all have to learn from last season."

In addition, Ainge admitted his surprise that the team has never been shy: "It did not really work where we had a 100% buy-in from the players. And I did not plan that.

The decision not to make a major move deadline: "There was nothing really exciting at the trade deadline."

Ainge also added on the subject: "I do not regret not moving."

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