NBA fines Danny Ainge $25K for towel toss

[Auggie]

May 6, 2010 / espn.com

NEW YORK -- Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for tossing a towel to try to distract Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson as he shot a free throw.

Ainge flipped a white towel over his head during the third quarter of Monday night's playoff game between Boston and Cleveland. Ainge was attempting to rattle Hickson, who made his second free throw despite the distraction.

<SNIP>

On Wednesday, Ainge said he regretted his behavior, calling it "unprofessional." "I was having fun with the hecklers and the crowd that was sitting around me," Ainge said during an interview on Boston sports radio station WEEI.

"There's just no excuse. It was unprofessional. I regret doing it. The biggest reason I regret it is you guys should be talking about the great play of the Celtics and not talking about a towel incident. I'm shocked that it's become this big a deal."

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5167992

That's better.

[Captain Hilts]

1. And Ainge is actually being contrite. I guess he's growing up. nt

[LisaM]

2. When did people start trying to distract free throw shooters, anyway?

I'm serious. When I was a kid, no one did this. No matter who was shooting, everyone quieted down and let them shoot. It was the same atmosphere as when a golfer putts.

I blame Duke for starting it, with all the shouting and waving things around, though I can't swear that was where this originated. But for those who think it's okay, would you like to see it at a golf match? I liked when everyone quieted down; it was an atmosphere of respect.

This is one of the most glaring anachronisms in the movie "Hoosiers", which I generally like. When the player from Hickory is shooting a crucial free throw at the end, the crowd tries to distract him. This would never have happened in the 50's - heck, it didn't even happen at the beginning of the 80's!!!!