Celtics' Danny Ainge named NBA Executive of Year

Sporting News

Sporting News has named Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics Executive Director, Basketball Operations and General Manager, the 2007-2008 NBA Executive of the Year.

Sporting News polled general managers and other executives from all 30 teams, and Ainge received 18 of the 47 votes cast. He beat out Los Angeles Lakers general manager, Mitch Kupchak, who had 14 votes, and New Orleans Hornets general manager Jeff Bower who had 12.

"He orchestrated a stunning and record setting turnaround of a struggling team with two great trades and various other roster acquisitions," said Brian Colangelo, President and General Manger of the Toronto Raptors and the 2005 Executive of the Year.

Pat Williams, Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic added, "Ainge was the architect of the most dramatic NBA turnaround ever."

Ainge, the first member of the Boston Celtics to receive Sporting News' Executive of the Year award since its inception in the 1972-73 season, engineered offseason trades for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The team posted an NBA-best 66-16 record this season.

Stan McNeal, Sporting News NBA writer, presented the Executive of the Year award to Ainge prior to Wednesday's game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Celtics and Cavaliers.


wil.

It's well deserved. Danny really did pull a rabbit out of his hat. Threw in Posey and Cassell for good measure.

amazing..the guy did a terrible job for years and then struck gold this year. Key players are older so lets see what he does in the future. He probably deserves it this year. Agreed.

Celtics might have won another title or two, if Larry would have passed to a wide open Danny instead of shooting over double teams.

If they lose Sunday this is going to be one hell of a disaster is all I can say. They are going to be REALLY bad REALLY soon.