Ainge On WEEI with Dernnis & Callahan Says:

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Ainge: "O'BRIEN IS GOING NOWHERE!"  Such speculations bother Ainge.

- Ainge expected to win more this year than they had last season. 
- LaFrentz's knee didn't react as it was hope;  long term fine.
- Callahan: LaFrentz take year off;  Ainge : He's playing in a  lot of pain.
- Ainge feels better about the trade than the day he made it.
- Highly critical John Dennis: Lafrentz  is one-legged three-point shooter.
- Ainge: Not one executive wouldn't have done the Walker deal.
- Ainge says he knew inside and outs of LaFrentz.
- Sympathetic Callahan: Antoine thriving in Dallas.
- Ainge knew skepticism about the trade:  We knew Antoine would get great
numbers. 
- Ainge:  We live in a world of fantasy league basketball/baseball where fans 
see  the boxscores.
- Ainge: Even with Toine, Celtics not as good as Ind, NJ, Detroit or West Coast clubs
- Ainge: Goal: Put the Celtics into the Top 5 -7 team level; then with luck, win a championship. 
- Ainge: Fans live in the moment, I live in the future.
- Dennis: Honeymoon over;  Fans wanted patience demonstrated by new GM after 
Pitino problems, should have waited on a Walker trade until value enhanced. 
- Dennis: Ainge wanted to put thumbprint on team before opening night; 
should have waited:  Market might have changed; Atlantic Division very weak
- Ainge: Walker a dilemma for last seven years: style, way he played, contract;
all discussed with thousands of words exchanged on the subject over the years. 
- Ainge: Antoine made it very clear to Ainge that he wanted out of Boston
- Ainge: Got significant more for Antoine than he would have gotten later; most 
teams wouldn't take on his contract.
- Dennis: Baker and Walker together.
- Ainge: Baker/Walker combo a defensive nightmare; not great athletes.
- Ainge: Doesn't care about Atlantic; it's becoming an elite team that's important.
- Dennis: Do owners fans have patience to let that happen?
- Ainge: Antoine stifled development of young players
- Ainge: Had long 2 conversations with Antoine abbout season goals.
- Ainge: Walker had a feeling of entitlement with the Celtics; attitude different 
in Dallas initially.
- Ainge on Pierce: Who's team it is is media talk; drives me crazy; it's everybody's team.
- Ainge: Pierce has taken on too much responsibility himself
- Ainge: The game of basketball is not give the ball to your best player - that's 
what we're trying to get away from
- Dennis: Pierce hasn't adjusted; Walker has in Dallas.
- Ainge: Dallas like Denver batting averages in baseball; unique style.
- Ainge: Are Dallas players having a better year after Walker showed up? Ainge says no.
- Ainge's intention was to keep Walker for the year and then trade him.
Callahgan: What turned the tide?
- Ainge:  Dallas stepping up with an offer.
- Ainge: Would have tolerated Walker sulking and his effect because he didn't have a choice.
- Ainge: Antoine dominates the ball, that's  how he retards rookie progress.
- Ainge: Nelson uses Toine the way he should play - Point forward;
Dallas coach and system best fits for Toine;  Celtics dont have offensive weapons to use
Walker that way.
- Ainge: Antoine: Emotional type might have opted out after season. 
- Ainge:  Rasheed Wallace more talented than Walker - but trouble trading player with one
year left; teams won't give up prospects and picks.

- Dennnis or Callahan: Projecting Celtics future year from now.
 Ainge; See from LaFrenz  stretched defenses, blocks
shots, 40 percent 3-point shooter, great compliment; stretched defense allows 
other to play basketball; compliment to Vin Baker; a  player difficult to find in NBA today,  compares to Okur on Pistons.
- Dennis: Fans coming down hard on Ainge.
 - Ainge: Doesn't care about critical fans; he loves the passion of Boston fans.
- Life would be easier says Callahan if Walker not traded - Ainge says half the executives
would be afraid to trade
- Ainge unsure about A Rod trade.
Will you be pulling the traigger on another deal, Ainge asked.
- Ainge:  Only if the trade helps us in the future; no band aid; no retarding 
development of younger players.

Ray