Celtics Fined For Ainge's Seat Location

by Jeff Clark on Mar 16, 2007 5:59 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

For those that missed it, Ainge was seen on air sitting next to and talking to Kevin Durant's mom during a game a week or so ago.Â To those (like me) who thought "hmm, that's probably not legal, I wonder if they'll do anything about it," here's your answer.Â

SI Reports:

With March Madness upon us, the NBA is cracking down on loose-lipped team executives who can't help but talk about -- or to the families of -- Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, the likely top picks in this year's draft.
According to a memo dispersed to all GMs and team counsel Friday by NBA general counsel Rick Buchanan, three teams were fined a total of $60,000:
The Boston Celtics were fined $30,000 as a result of contact that took place between executive director Danny Ainge and Durant's family members at a Big 12 tournament game on March 10.

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Shoulden’t Ainge have known this…

by Michael on Mar 16, 2007 7:13 PM EDT reply actions

Shoulden’t Ainge have known this…

Ainge didn’t request the seats, and didn’t introduce himself as a member of the Celtics. Durant’s mother didn’t know who he was. Because of all that, Danny probably didn’t think he was breaking any rules. Basically, the NBA is enforcing a strict “no contact except the absolute minimum” rule, which seems like it means “hello” and not much else.

by Roy_Hobbs on Mar 16, 2007 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

Stern is a genius at marketing the league and a dorky school crossing guard when it comes to fines and suspensions. This is plain silly.

by lovethecees on Mar 16, 2007 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

30K well invested imo. Ainge should of had Pierce sitting behind her too.

by johnnyrondo on Mar 16, 2007 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

Stern should screw the NCAA and build a legit minor league system like MLB has.

by AdrianoMG6 on Mar 16, 2007 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

I’m with johnny….thats a small price to pay for a big option value.

by Green17 on Mar 16, 2007 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

they should fine danny for sitting next to doc rivers.

by nazzbo on Mar 16, 2007 11:17 PM EDT reply actions

atta boy danny

by meanballa34 on Mar 17, 2007 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

$30K is a small price to pay to ensure that Durant turns pro (if we get him!). Go C’s – keep up the tank-job.

by libermaniac on Mar 17, 2007 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

Who cares. It is worth the 30k.

by spgawrys on Mar 17, 2007 5:32 AM EDT reply actions

The sheer likelihood of Ainge just happening to sit next to Durant’s mother defies the probability of chance. Whether anything comes of this later on still depends upon the “luck of the draw”.

So what could Ainge possibly learn from this “chance” encounter? Perhaps an insight into the character of Durant’s family values etc. Perhaps a later “chance” encounter with Oden’s parents will also bring similar results (including a heftier fine)?

The enormity of what’s at stake for the Celtic’s future and the realization that it all hangs by the “thread of probability” should start us all on stomach ULCER therapy. Once before our future seemed to rest on the shoulders of Ralph Sampson and we were all disappointed that Ralph CHOSE not to become a Celtic. In retrospect, sometimes good things happen but are seen as undesireable outcomes at the time. The luck of the draw would have us picking #1, yet the real prize may be something other than #1.

by moskqq on Mar 17, 2007 7:27 AM EDT reply actions

WHERE does that $30G’s go? Who’s pocket? Charity?

by mcpu40 on Mar 17, 2007 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

I think we neeed congressional hearings to find out “just how he got those tix.” Did he pay someone off? Did she give them to him? A booster????
This whole thing sounds so ridiculous to me. Stern & the NBA are focusing on all the wrong things. For instance- though Kobe reacted improperly, in most of those ‘incidents’ he is hit by the defender, and he’s trying to brush them off. If it’s a foul- CALL it. But this fining every for very questionable things… schoolyard stupidity.

by cavman on Mar 17, 2007 8:15 AM EDT reply actions

That is $30,000 well spent if you ask me.

by rickyfan3.0... on Mar 17, 2007 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

I think we neeed congressional hearings to find out “just how he got those tix.” Did he pay someone off? Did she give them to him? A booster???? :D :D

Hilarious Cavman…..about as silly as the current congressional hearings.

by iowa plowboy on Mar 17, 2007 11:46 AM EDT reply actions