Kings Fans Prepare to Cheer Ainge

February 24, 1989

Has anyone gotten used to the idea yet of Danny Ainge in a uniform other than the green and white of the Boston Celtics? Have Sacramento Kings fans, the same ones who booed Ainge so loudly just two nights ago, gotten used to the idea they will now applaud him in their starting backcourt?

Nothing was doing until late yesterday, when the Kings agreed to swap center Joe Kleine and forward Ed Pinckney for Ainge and second-year forward Brad Lohaus. It is a trade that should not send shock waves through the community, despite Ainge's longevity and popularity here.

For starters, the worst-kept secret in basketball was that Boston needed a backup center. Kleine, a burly 7-foot workhorse, is a prototype backup. His work habits are exemplary, he has developed a nice jump hook, he takes up a lot of room in the paint and works hard off the boards. In fact, he was working so hard for the Kings, they recently gave the 26-year-old Arkansas alumnus the starting nod in the pivot over Jim Petersen. Kleine is averaging 6.7 points and 5.1 boards a game. He is also one of the top foul shooters in the league (91.9 percent).

Now, the big redhead should not be mistaken for anything but a top reserve, but that's exactly what the Celtics were looking for. Kevin McHale and Robert Parish can cut down on their minutes, a particularly worrisome problem of late since Parish's chronic elbow problems have flared up.

Pinckney, the slender 6-9 forward who helped Villanova to its dream national championship in 1985, is a little harder to figure. He is obviously talented, yet has not flourished in the NBA. His offensive output has varied from night to night, and he has not improved on his perimeter shooting since he came into the league.

On the upside, Pinckney is only 25 and can run the floor like a racehorse. The sight of Pinckney, Brian Shaw, Reggie Lewis and Parish running the break together conjures up just the kind of images coach Jimmy Rodgers has been trying to create. The kid also has some sweet inside moves, when he has a notion to unleash them.

Now for the most pressing question: Why was Ainge the one to go?

There are a few reasons. No. 1, he and McHale were the most marketable, and the Celtics view No. 32 as too valuable a commodity to give up.

Of all the veterans, Ainge was struggling the most under the new regime of Rodgers. The two differed greatly in their approach to the game, a fact that became public when the two clashed over Ainge's shot selection during a game in Charlotte.

Ainge, a fiery competitor, wasn't thrilled about coming off the bench, and he was adamant about his right to shoot the three-pointer, despite often being discouraged.

In the last couple of weeks, Ainge met with general manager Jan Volk to discuss some of his concerns. As the trading deadline approached, Ainge joked that if he did stay in Boston, "it could be worse."

Doesn't sound like a guy who's dying to stick around, does it? With Brian Shaw coming along at point guard and Reggie Lewis able to fit in at the 2 slot, the Celtics finally determined Ainge could be expendable.

That is the gamble of this whole deal. With Larry Bird still out, and Lewis still logging most of his time at forward, Boston has traded its only true outside shooter. Together the starting backcourt of Shaw and Dennis Johnson are shooting 42.6 percent from the floor.

Ainge was also one of the best athletes on the team and could never be criticized for lack of effort. He was pesky, relentless, knowledgeable and emotional. He will be missed.

As for Lohaus, his demise was the biggest disappointment of the season. After a strong rookie season, he gave the Celtics plenty of reason to feel he would be a key contributor. Instead, he was inconsistent at best. He was not a reliable rebounder, had trouble playing with his back to the basket and was a weak link defensively. A 7-foot jump shooter is one thing, but Lohaus couldn't get those shots to fall, either.

In recent weeks, those close to Lohaus could see the frustration growing. He grew tired of McHale riding him in practice. His teammates quietly questioned his toughness when a bruised lower left leg kept him sidelined for three games. Some players maintain that Lohaus missed Bird, who believed in him and was good for his confidence.

Will Lohaus develop in a new environment? Possibly, but Boston cannot be blamed for giving up. The Celtics gave the forward enough chances.

Will Boston miss Ainge's outside shooting? Definitely. How much will depend on the development of their remaining personnel.

Finally, is this a deal that could ultimately take the Celtics back to the top? The answer is the same as it has been for months: not without Larry Bird.