Utah Jazz CEO and BYU Hall of Famer Danny Ainge

BYU Hall of Famer and Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge spent an hour with us here in the studio. He lives by the mantra, “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” He is also the only student-athlete in BYU history to play professional baseball in the summer, and be a star for BYU Cougar basketball during the winter-and he did that for three years. He led BYU to the Sweet Sixteen in 1981 and was named National Basketball Player of the Year. He played 14 seasons in the NBA and has three world championships, two as a player and one as an executive. His No. 22 jersey hangs in the rafters at the Marriott Center. It is a pleasure to welcome Danny Ainge to Y’s Guys.

[@jeromemark2509]

Ainge was a tough son of a gun! He didn’t back down from anyone! The 80s Celtics ran the show

[@ysguyslive]

You’re right, Jerome. Thanks for your comment.

[@karmaisreal261]

His brother Doug taught history at my high school, always been a fan of both!

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks, Karma, for your comment and for supporting our show. We appreciate it.

[@dwseawell]

Enjoyed the conversation. I was on a mission in Oregon when Danny chose BYU. At more than one door I had to listen to irate people argue about Danny not staying home. Have fun memories of playing horse at the Smith Field House. When he found out that I was from NC, he was very complimentary and told me about Dean Smith visiting his home. Watching the WAC was great. There were all the Cougars, Ya’ll missed mentioning Timo, Allen Taylor, et al. There was Vranes and company in SLC, Charles Bradley at Wyoming, (who looked just like his brother Dudley who was a Tarheel and absolutely shut down Magic in college), Tony G at SDSU. THOSE WERE GREAT TIMES.

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks, dwseawell, for your comment. We will be sure to pass it along to Danny, Blaine and Dave. Thank you for also being a supporter of the show. We appreciate it.

[@johnheer3059]

Still love watching any game film of Ainge. He was electric and was always in the middle of everything. He made Basketball special for so many years. He has always been a great ambassador of the Y and we are all fortunate that he chose to come to Provo.

[@ysguyslive]

We couldn’t agree more, John. And thanks for supporting our livestream!

[@patrickroy3380]

Excellent interview of a wonderful man in and out of sport . #44

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks for your comment, Patrick.

[@josephhinkle3454]

Great interview for people of a certain age. Didn't expect to hear Thurman Munson's or Billy Martin's names. We miss Danny in Boston. I wish he was still with the C's but wish him the best in Utah.

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks, Joseph, for taking your time to comment. We appreciate it and thanks for supporting the show. We understand why you would miss Danny in Boston.

[@dirkpalmer1067]

7 seconds left when Ainge took the ball out of bounds against ND.
That game wasn't on tv in Provo, had to listen on radio to Paul James & at end, AL McGuire joined in for last few minutes of the call.
If you've never heard it (radio replay), it's worth a replay if available.
And yes, Ainge was a 3x AA. I'm same age, was there same time.
Greatest Days of BYU Sports to date! 😀

[@cjmorientes4346]

Best athlete in the history of Oregon, period.

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks, Cj, for your comment.

[@samfulton435]

Did he mention anything on here about North Eugene high school? I couldn't watch the full video today. That was my Alma Mater and I live around the corner from his old place. He's a legend in my neck of the woods as well lol

[@ysguyslive]

Hi Sam. Thanks for asking. I am not sure. I don’t think so... but I will ask Dave and Blaine if they remember anything about him mentioning it. Thank you for supporting our show. We appreciate it.

[@cdnelson-ct8lb]

Danny Ainge, all you ever do is trade great Jazz players. Go back to BYU where they tolerate you. I'm sick of you!!!

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks for commenting and expressing your opinion, @cdnelson-ct8lb

[@MJWill1]

blame zach wilson's failures on the Jets...hahahah yah right.

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks, MJWill1 for expressing your opinion. We know you are not alone with that thought. 🙂

[@lewisfrost1815]

BYU Sucks! (🤣) go Utah! '90

[@ysguyslive]

Thanks for taking the time to chime in, Lewis, and express your opinion! We appreciate it, and we appreciate that you noticed our show.

[@uy6324]

"world champion" more like nba champion

[@ysguyslive]

🙂

[@MrAitraining]

No international teams would compete with those Celtic teams c'mon. Today I get not using world champion maybe. Though I still feel no 1 team could beat an NBA title team anywhere.