From: wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Reply-To: Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: celtics@xxxxxxxx Subject: Other GMs Critical Of Ainge's Comments Date: 11 Mar 2004 08:49:13 -0500
Ainge's honesty nets negative reaction among other GMs
By Mike McGraw Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted 3/8/2004
Danny Ainge has taken considerable heat for his dismantling of the Celtics, but give him credit for honesty.
Ainge might be the first executive in NBA history to admit he wouldn't mind losing games so Boston can get better odds in the draft lottery.
"That's a tough question," the first-year general manager said. "I think the playoffs are great for the players, coaches and fans. But I'm not going to lie about it. For the long term, it's obviously better for us to get a higher draft pick. That's just the truth."
Granted, this is the same Danny Ainge who was excited to obtain first-round draft picks from Dallas and Detroit because he feels this will be a deep draft. Right now, those picks would be No. 23 and 25.
"You have to understand how much I hate to lose," he added. "I'd never do anything that would purposely hurt us on the court. (But) we want to contend for a championship, not just be in the playoffs for a round or two.
"I understand that it's good for your players to get playoff experience. But I'd rather take a hit on that if it means getting us better players so we can get to the postseason and then make a serious run."
Ironically, Boston seemed like a lottery lock after losing 13 of 14. But now the Celtics have won four straight and are back in a tie for seventh in the East.
This generally has not been an issue with the Bulls, where the losses take care of themselves. The problem with losing on purpose is the draft lottery doesn't guarantee any team one of the first three picks.
Asked whether the Bulls would be better off finishing the season with one of the league's two worst records, coach Scott Skiles insisted that his top goal is to try to win each game.
But he also acknowledged that if the Bulls catch a break in the lottery and draft a talented player, next year he could look back and say, "It's a good thing we lost as many times as we did."
Some other general managers strongly disagreed with Ainge.
"I don't think you ever go into sports and say you want to lose basketball games," Philadelphia's Billy King said. "Our fans pay too much money for that. Why be in sports? Play the game to win."
Utah's Kevin O'Connor was particularly adamant about the subject. The Jazz should be in a rebuilding mode but was just 2 games behind Denver for eighth place in the West heading into Sunday's action.
"Absolutely not. Not for a second. Not for half a second," he said. "Anyone who thinks (owner) Larry (Miller) or (coach) Jerry (Sloan) would ever say, 'Well, we're better off in the lottery,' doesn't know our franchise and our people and how we do business.
"We play hard every night, work hard, do the right things. How could you ever look these kids in the eye if you weren't trying to win just as hard as they are? That's crazy."
Oddly enough, Utah is the only NBA team that has never participated in the draft lottery, which began in 1985. Portland's never been in either, but traded for Detroit's lottery pick in 1995.