The Boston Celtics have been blessed with two impeccable general managers, but who is better between the two?
The Boston Celtics have long sustained their success. Other than having the most NBA titles in league history with 18 banners, they’ve now built out a decade of being a playoff-caliber club. They’ve spent that decade in pursuit of their first championship victory since 2008.
In 2024, they accomplished such as head coach Joe Mazzulla helped them to the mountaintop of the NBA. It wasn’t without the help of former head coach and current general manager Brad Stevens, who put together a juggernaut of a roster to help them dominate in the NBA Finals.
The club’s foundation in their sustained success was built by Danny Ainge, their general manager prior to Stevens’ promotion from coach to executive. Which of the two is a better executive for the Celtics? Paul Pierce answered the question recently.
Paul Pierce played most of his career with Ainge as the lead decision-maker, with the exception of the end of his career where he played for a few extra teams. He was essential to the team winning their 2008 title, though Ainge did roll the dice and acquire Kevin Garnett to help them deliver the championship.
Pierce has also been able to have a front-row seat to watching Stevens’ success with the franchise, and it’s been rapid. On a recent episode of “The Truth Lounge,” Pierce was unable to pick which of the two have had better stints with the team when asked directly about it.
“Brad Stevens is an amazing GM,” Pierce said. “I think [Ainge] molded Brad. I know they probably spent a lot of time in the office together as general manager and coach, and picking each other’s brain about philosophies and players, what it’s like to build a team.
“That’s why, when Brad stepped away from the bench, he went right upstairs. I bet it was a lot of meetings with Danny… he was groomed for that role.”
Both Ainge and Stevens made bold, calculated trades to acquire players that would eventually complement their superstars and help the Celtics raise a trophy and add another banner to the rafters.
Ainge spent 19 years with the Celtics, as mentioned, posting an overall record of 806-633. Along the way, Ainge helped the club to a title in 2008 and an NBA Finals loss to the LA Lakers in 2010. After that, he was in a continuous hunt for another title until he stepped down in his role in 2021, taking his ability to the Utah Jazz.
In just four seasons as the decision-maker, Stevens has achieved two NBA Finals appearances and one victory. The team has had a 193-79 record as the Celtics are among the league’s best teams, if not the NBA’s best team, at this point in time.
Stevens hasn’t had to undergo a rebuild, but his time as the executive in Boston has gone quite superb.
It’s unfair to make any real comparison, though it’s safe to say the two have etched their names into the club’s rich history having taken the team to the mountaintop and raising the Larry O’Brien.
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