Season-ending loss irks Ainge
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/14991867.htm
LAS VEGAS — Boston Celtics boss Danny Ainge remembers the Timberwolves'
last regular-season game well.
Banger Mark Madsen missed all seven three-pointers he shot, including
six in two overtime periods, as the Wolves lost to Memphis in a game
that had NBA draft lottery implications. The Wolves needed to lose the
game to guarantee having a first-round pick in the June 28 draft.
Under conditions of a trade last summer with the Los Angeles Clippers,
the Wolves were guaranteed to keep their first-round pick if it was in
the top 10. Losing the finale meant Minnesota kept its pick. The Wolves
also shut down Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis for the last 10 days of the
season.
"I think the way that the NBA has the rules of priorities in the draft,
I think they kind of set themselves up for that," Ainge said Friday after
a Boston summer league practice. "I think there needs to be some changed
policies, personally. That's my feeling, so those kind of things don't
happen, so fans don't get cheated."
Ainge said he has an idea for a policy change that might prevent similar
situations, but he declined to discuss it publicly.
"That was obviously as ugly as it gets in that last game," Ainge said.
"But I thought there were a lot of (ugly) games, including our own games,
so I'm not pointing fingers at any team. I just think it was not a good
situation last year."
NBA Commissioner David Stern said after the season that he didn't have
a problem with the Wolves' use, or lack thereof, of Garnett and Davis.
Wolves coach Dwane Casey said he wasn't trying to disrespect the sport
and that Madsen's three-point barrage was all in fun.
Briefly: The Wolves met with free-agent point guard Mike James on
Thursday night, but it is believed they did not make a formal contract
offer.
‧ Here are the salary figures for No. 7 draft choice Randy Foye. The
first two years ($2,448,240 and $2,631,840) are guaranteed. The team
holds options for the third and fourth years at $2,815,560 and $3,575,761.
‧ Ainge declined to comment on speculation that Celtic Wally Szczerbiak
could be traded, possibly as part of a deal involving Philadelphia 76ers
star Allen Iverson
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