|
Summarized by Kent Larsen
Ainge's Clutch Shot Remembered For March Madness
Los Angeles Times 15Mar00 S2
By Robyn Norwood: Times Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- With College basketball's fabled "March
Madness" upon us, the Times remembers several players who came
through in clutch situations, winning games for their teams. Included
among the memories is former basketball coach Danny Ainge's
game-winning basket to win a March Madness game against Notre Dame in
1981.
"Probably more than anything else in my career, that still comes up,"
said Ainge, 40, now working as a Turner NBA television analyst.
"People remember where they were. They either love me for beating
Notre Dame, or hate me for beating Notre Dame." In the game, Ainge
drove the length of the court and made a buzzer-beating basket to win
the game for BYU 51 - 50.
Remembering the game, Ainge said he hadn't expected Notre Dame to
make it as hard as they did, "I actually had anticipated some sort of
zone or half-court trap," he said. "But they picked me up full court.
As long as I've watched basketball, coaches think by picking up full
court they'll make you use up the clock. It actually lets you get up
speed."
AInge went on to a career with the Boston Celtics, during which the
Celtics won two NBA titles. He then became coach of the NBA's Phoenix
Suns, quitting late last year to spend more time with his family. His
son Austin Ainge has signed on to play for BYU starting in 2002,
after he returns from an LDS mission.
When he does, get ready to see his father's highlight again. "I hope
not. It's been played enough," Ainge said. "They need to put it to
rest and start the new millennium."
|
