Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site decwrl.DEC.COM Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-learn!fredrickson From: fredrickson@learn.DEC Newsgroups: net.sport.hoops Subject: Danny (.541) Ainge Message-ID: <901@decwrl.DEC.COM> Date: Tue, 4-Feb-86 13:17:25 EST Article-I.D.: decwrl.901 Posted: Tue Feb 4 13:17:25 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 7-Feb-86 08:37:18 EST Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation Lines: 49 I hate to stir up a topic that has been peacefully dormant for some time now, but I saw some statistics on Danny Ainge which might interest people. He continues to lead all NBA starting guards with a .541 field-goal percentage (through Feb. 3). This figure is particularly meaningful in light of his shot range, which consists almost entirely of 18-20 footers. His .904 free-throw percentage would be second in the league (to Bird's .927) if he had enough to qualify for the list (he is 66 for 73). Ainge's per-game averages look like this: 11.5 points, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.3 rebounds. I do not have turnover statistics in front of me, but as of a month or so ago, Ainge's assist-turnover ratio (a commonly used statistic for point guards) was among the league's best. He takes very good care of the ball. I also don't have minutes, but my sense is that his minutes are down from last year with the presence of Jerry Sichting (a .546 shooter, also mostly bombs). Dan Shaughnessy, the Boston Globe's outstanding Celts beat writer, recently wrote that Ainge has reached the point where he would undoubtedly be a 20-ppg all-star on a lesser team. From a team perspective, those who have followed the Celts-Lakers rivalry in recent years know that Boston must have consistent outside shooting from the guards to win. With Ainge, Sichting and Dennis Johnson's big-game tendencies, they appear better equipped in this area than ever. I am not calling Ainge an all-star, just a very solid player a lot of teams would love to have. He has a tendency to heat up early in the game, quite often while Bird, McHale and Parish are still trying to get the ol' engines started. I can't count the number of times Ainge has 10 points in the first quarter, all from outside, and Celts lead by two or three while Bird is 1 for 5 or something. It happens a lot. I found it fascinating a few months ago when I first came out in support of Ainge, to see how many people actually thought he bit Tree Rollins (it was the opposite). He is an unusually disliked player, which I think comes from his scrappiness and his cry-baby look. But Magic is a chronic complainer, too. He just smiles more. I admit I'd probably dislike Ainge if I weren't a Celtic fan. I hope I haven't started this up again, but hell, what else is there to talk about between now and May? Mark Fredrickson