After the Chicago Bulls ended the Miami Heat’s 27-game winning streak Wednesday night, LeBron James blasted the Bulls’ physical play, mostly in regards to hard fouls delivered by Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson:
First of all, Kirk Hinrich in the first quarter basically grabbed me with two hands and brought me to the ground. The last one, Taj Gibson was able to collar me around my shoulder and bring me to the ground. Those are not defensive…those are not basketball plays.
Celtic general manager Danny Ainge, whose resume also includes “professional agitator”, took at a shot at LeBron’s post-game comments during an interview on Boston sports radio:
“I don’t think either one of those were flagrants, and I think the one — LeBron against Boozer — was flagrant, yes. I think the officials had it right…,” Ainge said during a weekly radio-show appearance in Boston. “I think that it’s almost embarrassing that LeBron would complain about officiating.”
Ainge is 100% correct about LeBron and the notion of him complaining about officiating, but the fact Ainge said anything about a situation that didn’t involve his own team is a little unprofessional. As such, Miami Heat president Pat Riley has apparently fired back at Ainge, simply telling him to “STFU”:
Message from Pat Riley: ” Danny Ainge needs to STFU.”Yes, this is real. Delivered by Heat spokesman Tim Donovan.
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) March 29, 2013
Riley apparently stopped to speak with local writers. Full quote: “Danny Ainge needs to shut the (bleep) up and coach his own team.” — David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) March 29, 2013
But why stop there? Ainge has already fired back at Riley:
Response from Danny Ainge to Riley: “We’re both right. LeBron should stop complaining and I should manage my own team.” #celtics #heat — gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) March 29, 2013
When asked if complained a lot to officials as a player, Ainge said: “Oh heavens yes. It’s not a secret.” #celtics #heat — gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) March 29, 2013
More Ainge: “Pat Riley’s right. I should manage my own team and I complained a lot (as a player).” #celtics #heat
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) March 29, 2013
And finally the last of Ainge: “And I’m right. LeBron should be embarrassed by how he complains about the calls he gets.” #celtics#heat
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) March 29, 2013
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