Pat Riley tells Danny Ainge to shut up over LeBron James comments
Pat Riley, president of the Miami Heat and formerly coach of the Lakers, released a statement Friday that Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge needs to “shut the [expletive] up and manage his team” after Ainge made comments critical of Heat superstar LeBron James.
Ainge had called out James for complaints over hard fouls committed by the Chicago Bulls in a 101-97 loss that ended the Heat’s 27-game winning streak, which is the second longest in NBA history to the 1971-72 Lakers’ 33 consecutive victories.
“I don’t think either one of those were flagrants, and I think the one -- LeBron against [Carlos] Boozer -- was flagrant, yes. I think the officials had it right,” Ainge said during a radio show this week. “I think that it’s almost embarrassing that LeBron would complain about officiating.”
James had already addressed the issue during Miami’s shoot-around Friday.
“Nothing that comes out of Boston surprises me,” James said.
Added Riley in his statement about Ainge: “He was the biggest whiner going when he was playing. I know that because I coached against him.”
Ainge tried to quell the controversy later Friday by claiming he and Riley were both correct.
“I would say we’re both right,” Ainge said. “LeBron should quit complaining. I complained as a player and I should manage my own team. We’re both right.”
Internet reports contributed to this story.
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