Ainge tells Carroll he's out as coach

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 27, 2004 | by ASSOCIATED PRESS

WALTHAM, Mass. -- John Carroll got a job recommendation instead of a job from Danny Ainge.

"John Carroll did a fantastic job for our team based on the situation he was given," Ainge said Monday after announcing that Carroll would not be promoted from interim coach and given a permanent job.

"In the right circumstances, at the right time and the right place, John Carroll is very qualified to coach in the NBA," Ainge said. "This is a time that we need to make a change."

Carroll was in his seventh season as a Celtics assistant coach when Jim O'Brien resigned on Jan.27 over philosophical differences with Ainge.

The Celtics went 14-22 under Carroll to finish the regular season 10 games below .500, but they still managed to eke out the last playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. They were swept in the first round by the Indiana Pacers.

Carroll left the team's practice facility before Ainge spoke on Monday and was not available for comment. Players and owners also left the team's breakup meeting without commenting.

*I have been a coach my whole life. I think when you are a coach you understand that coaching is a very precarious job,* he said after the Pacers completed the sweep with a 90-75 victory on Sunday.>

Speculation on replacements has focused on Paul Westphal, Lionel Hollins, Doc Rivers, Dwane Casey, Jeff Hornacek and Avery Johnson. Ainge, who coached the Phoenix Suns from 1996-99, would not comment on candidates except to say he was not himself a candidate.

Szczerbiak out indefinitely

DENVER -- Minnesota forward Wally Szczerbiak is expected to be out for at least the rest of the Timberwolves' playoff series against Denver after cracking three vertebrae in his back.

Szczerbiak was injured in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 107- 86 victory Saturday when he was fouled from behind by Chris Andersen and landed on his back. Tests on Monday showed cracks on the wings of three vertebrae.

"It has been an unlucky year," said Szczerbiak, who missed the first half of the season with a foot injury. "The team has done well without me. I will be there to support them and hopefully I can get better."

Szczerbiak was injured on a breakaway when was bumped from behind by Andersen. Szczerbiak tried to hold himself up by the rim, but his hands slipped and he landed on the middle of his back.

Artest tops all-defense team

NEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest made the NBA's all- defensive first team for the first time in voting announced Monday.

Guards Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bruce Bowen of San Antonio, Detroit center Ben Wallace and Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett also were chosen.

Artest recently was the runaway choice for the Defensive Player of the Year. He finished third in the league in steals (2.08 per game) and held the players he guarded to 8.1 points a game.

Wallace ranked second in rebounds (12.4) and blocks (3.04) and seventh in steals (1.77). He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and made the first team for third straight season.

Garnett, who led the NBA in rebounding (13.9) was chosen for the fifth consecutive year and Bryant made it for the third time. Bowen was picked for the second team last season.

The second team this season included San Antonio forward Tim Duncan, New Jersey guard Jason Kidd, Utah forward Andrei Kirilenko, Portland center Theo Ratliff and Sacramento guard Doug Christie.