DJ and Ainge aren't Garnering much Respect

April 24, 1985

SIMPLY NO RESPECT FOR THE BACKCOURT

RICHFIELD, Ohio

Going into last night's game, Boston's starting guards, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge, had made only 19 of 49 shots in the series. Neither player was getting much respect from the Cavaliers or the Cleveland media.

World B. Free said he "owned DJ," even though World was shooting less than 40 percent.

"He must own me, because I can't find my birth certificate," laughed DJ.

Ainge was characterized as a crybaby and Boston's "least talented" starter by one Cleveland columnist, and Cavaliers coach George Karl said that Ray Williams was a better defender than Ainge.

NBA Comr. David Stern held a news conference yesterday afternoon. He said 14 or 15 of the NBA's 23 teams would show a profit this year and the league might expand in two years. Stern listed Minneapolis, Tampa, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver and St. Louis as potential sites . . . Rookie Rick Carlisle is with the team. He is on the injured list, but said, "I came along so these guys would remember what a healthy person looks like." . . . The league office said yesterday that if the Celtics and Pistons eliminate Cleveland and New Jersey before Friday, Boston might play host to Detroit as early as Saturday afternoon . . . Twenty-two years ago today, the Celtics won their fifth consecutive world championship in Los Angeles. It was Bob Cousy's last game with the green.