Ainge Happy

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Ainge likes what he sees in C's
By DEL N. JONES
The Patriot Ledger 
Danny Ainge is happy for Vin Baker, who appears to have cleaned up his life after a bout with personal issues that resulted in a suspension from the Boston Celtics last season. 
Ainge is also pleased with rookies Marcus Banks and Kendrick Perkins acquired on draft night back in June. 
Ainge has even offered applause to the entire roster for the way the players arrived at training camp this month noticeably toned and in shape for the start of another NBA regular season. 
But if you talk to the new Celtics executive director of basketball operations and former championship team member, it won't take long to realize that he wishes to put his old-school signature on Boston's team of the future. 
''(We) have a philosophy that it's the player's job to prove to the coach,'' Ainge said. ''I mean, I listen to talk radio and listen to the media who think that (Red Sox manager) Grady Little should go teach Byung-Hyun Kim how to throw the ball on the outside corner. Dang. 
''The players have a responsibility and these guys are getting paid lots of money and it's their job. Just like you have a job to do ... It's his job to prove that he has to be on the court.'' 
Ainge, starting his first full season as Boston's front-office heavy, left the TNT broadcast booth and agreed to take over a franchise successful in making the postseason the past two seasons only to be eliminated and exposed by the more athletic New Jersey Nets. 
Three big contract players in Baker, Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce also make operating the Celtics a challenge these days. 
When Ainge returned to Boston to join several former Celtics in coaching and boardrooms around the league, it was both a surprising and curious decision. Leave the gravy of television to be criticized and scrutinized after every loss, weak draft or late-night call involving another pro athlete indiscretion? The man simply wants to apply his aged philosophy on how the game should be played and managed. 
''I don't feel like I was ever given anything as a player,'' Ainge said. ''I think that there are some players that come on bad teams that are given political opportunities. 
''But in general over a long period of time, quality wins out and character typically wins out over potential and over intellect.'' 
It's too early to tell whether the new Ainge factor has made a significant contribution to this franchise. He agreed to terms with the Celtics' new ownership last May and watched them defeat Indiana in the first round of the playoffs before being swept by New Jersey in the Eastern Conference semifinals. 
Ainge scouted and determined what he believed Boston needed to be a true contender. He worked the phones and acquired a quick ball-pushing point guard in Banks and a raw high school forward/center in Perkins to fortify the inside. Point guard J.R. Bremer was sent to Cleveland in a trade for swingman Jumaine Jones, and guard Mike James came via free agency. 
During the offseason Ainge also faced questions about the future of Walker, whether they were trying to move the All-Star forward and if the roster needed rebuilding altogether. 
The signing of head coach Jim O'Brien to a two-year contract extension gave a strong answer that Ainge saw potential in the now - strategically at least. 
If he could only roll back in time before mega guaranteed contracts and endorsements deals polluted the game. Establishing a harder tone from the front office is how Ainge will try. 
''I know that it will be a great relationship, because he is a worker,'' said Celtics legendary president Red Auerbach, who helped raise Ainge as a NBA man back when he was a player. ''He has a great personality, he's smart and bleeds green.'' 
Suddenly Ainge bleeds power as well. 
Del N. Jones may be reached at djones@xxxxxxxxxxx 
Copyright 2003 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Saturday, October 11, 2003