The Boston Celtics, dispatched from the playoffs by a hungrier, more talented New Jersey Nets squad, have begun to look toward next year and beyond. Enter former player and TNT commentator Danny Ainge, the new Head of Basketball Operations for the Green.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Ainge, he was a pivotal player on two championship Boston Celtics teams in the 1980s. The multi-talented Ainge, who was also a baseball player with the Toronto Blue Jays, has experience as a head coach (Phoenix Suns). He is much admired by the Celtic fanbase.

So else thinks that this move by the new ownership is nothing more than patchwork on the frayed quilt that is the current Boston Celtics?

Prior ownerships of Boston sports team have played the heartstrings of its fans before. Nostalgia clouds the minds of the clear thinking in respect to the present and future. If one looks impartially at the current roster, there are serious concerns in several areas. The shell lacking that the Celtics took in the second round will draw the ire of its fans. My thinking is that the owners wish to distract the fans by inserting a member of one of the greatest teams in NBA history into upper management.

It isn’t Ainge that raises my concern. He may or may not have the ability to head a NBA team and lead it to the Promised Land. Chris Wallace, the former general manager, has made questionable personnel in recent years (see Vin Baker) and he was placed in financial restraints when it came to signing free agents. I do agree that Wallace’s time has come to an end. I am merely concerned that Ainge’s arrival gives the fans a false hope about a quick turn around of the Celtics’ fortunes.

Because the immediate future is not as rosy as it once was as little as a year ago. The team has serious holes at the point guard and center positions. Free agency is not an option for the Celtics because 1) the team has very little cap room maneuverability and 2) ownership is not willing to spend money in order to not pay the dreaded luxury tax. The NBA draft is unlikely to produce quality players after the lottery picks (numbers 1-13) unless a player falls through the cracks. The Celtics have two first round picks this upcoming draft at number 16 and 20.

Ainge could be the answer to the Celtics’ future. He has the personality and the cache. However, his gritty nature and fiery nature does not necessarily translate from the court into the office. If nothing else, he will need some time to learn the ins and outs of his new job. The Celtic fans must have patience with Ainge and not expect him to produce championship caliber clubs anytime soon because he won’t be able to do it.