FINISH LINE: Celtics GM seen tossing towel as distraction

Published 11:34 pm Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Proper GM behavior?

A nuisance as an NBA player, Danny Ainge is still being a pest as general manager.

Boston’s GM was spotted in TV replays throwing a white towel in the air to distract Cleveland forward J.J. Hickson at the free throw line in the third quarter of Game 2 on Monday night.

Ainge, sitting in the first seat to the right of Cleveland’s basket, is seen reaching behind the stanchion to grab one of the ball boy’s towels as Hickson prepares to shoot. Ainge then tosses the towel into the air on Hickson’s second attempt with 1:53 remaining.

Hickson made the shot. At the time, the Celtics were leading 80-57 on their way to winning 104-86 in the Eastern Conference semifinal game.

“That was interesting to see that happen during the flow of the game, from Danny Ainge,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said of Ainge’s towel toss. “If it’s within the rules, hey, at this time, you do whatever you can to win. As long as it’s within the rules.”

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said “the situation is under review” by the league.

During a 15-year career with Boston, Sacramento, Portland and Phoenix before he retired in 1995, Ainge was a fiery player who was at his best when he was getting under his opponents’ skin.

PARTING SHOT

“What, a crossbow wasn’t available?”

— Len Berman

On ThatsSports.com after security guards used a Taser to bring down a fan who had run onto the field during Phillies game.