NBA.com’s Ian Thomsen published an article Tuesday illustrating the “balancing act” Danny Ainge executed between his role as a bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and general manager of the Boston Celtics.
One of the highlights of Ainge’s front-office career came when he assembled the Boston Celtics team that eventually won the NBA championship in 2008.
But his deep-seated faith permeates all he does. Following his championship victories as a player, Ainge had different plans than many of his teammates.
“Ainge’s big plan for the night would be to go home to his wife and young family and celebrate over a glass of orange soda,” Thomsen’s article states.
When he suffered a heart attack in 2009, one of his sons noted that he should take a step back and stop serving as a bishop, but Ainge’s response to his son shows where his commitment lies.
“If I need to stop anything, it (is) not being bishop. It (is) everything else,” Ainge said.