Re: Ainge On WEEI with Dernnis & Callahan Says:

[Sean Giovanello <sgiovanello@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

So Lafrenz is French for Okur?

wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> 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