Once-green Ainge thriving in role

“I guess I was a little surprised,’’ Ainge said of the heart attack. “I’ve changed my eating habits, my exercise routine. I don’t think I’ve changed much else. I don’t feel any different.’’

Instead of fast food, Ainge is consuming tofu burgers these days. And, even if he has a slow food diet, Ainge still works swiftly. He was first in line in the Rasheed Wallace free agent recruiting race, and his acquisitions have made the Celtics among the championship favorites this season.

Ainge does have an impatient streak. Within days of undergoing surgery, he was playing golf and back on the job as president of basketball operations.

“Perseverance and tenaciousness,’’ managing partner Steve Pagliuca said of Ainge. “He had those qualities as a player and he has them as a GM. He never gives up. He’s always on the phone. He’s taking one more trip overseas. He’s looking at one more player, going to college games, watching tapes. He has that tenacity and competitive fire - he wants to win.’’

Good judge of talent

Ainge’s edge might well be the result of hard work. But when it comes to evaluating talent and developing a team, plus managing situations during a season, other qualities come into play.

“Danny was the key that unlocked the championship for us,’’ managing partner Wyc Grousbeck said. “When we bought the team we didn’t have a roster that was going to win, in our opinion, so it was part of the plan to build up the team with youth and investment. We needed a GM who could make draft picks wisely.

“Steve knew Danny and when we interviewed him, he convinced me and my dad he knew his stuff. He knew every player in the league, he knew our roster. He told us, ‘I’ll be a partner with you, a part of the team. I’ve checked on you and I think I can work with you guys.’ And that’s what it’s been - a partnership.’’

Indeed, Ainge and the Celtics owners appear to be kindred spirits. If Ainge is a risk-taking wheeler-dealer in player personnel matters, that is the style Grousbeck was seeking. But before raising the stakes, Ainge needed to collect some chips.