Fansided

Picking the best NBA player from each state

By Brad Rowland

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon – Danny Ainge

Danny Ainge has been the general manager of the Boston Celtics since May 9, 2003. That is a long time in that line of work.

Throughout his GM tenure, the Celtics have been a polarizing franchise and, to that end, Ainge’s job performance has been highly scrutinized. In this space, though, we are tackling Ainge as a player, and he was quite good in his time.

The former BYU star played 14 seasons in the NBA, claiming titles with the Celtics in 1984 and 1986. Ainge was a sharp-shooter, converting 38 percent of his threes in an era in which that was not the norm, scoringd nearly 12,000 points and dishing out more than 4,000 assists in a supporting role.

While Ainge certainly was not a star-level player, no athlete who was born in Oregon can boast that claim, as his closest competition comes from Terrell Brandon, A.C. Green, Mike Newlin, and Damon Stoudamire. It would be perfectly fine to go in a different direction, but Ainge’s titles swing the balance a bit, and his floor-spacing ability would be highly valued in today’s NBA.

Maybe Ainge should sign himself.

Next: Pennsylvania

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