Ainge's style suits Hollins

Memphis assistant coach Lionel Hollins and Boston executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge go way back, all the way back to Oregon, where Hollins played professionally for Portland and Ainge starred at North Eugene High School. They played against each other in the NBA when Hollins was with the Sixers and Ainge was with the Celtics. Then, Hollins served as an assistant coach in Phoenix when Ainge played there.

With Hollins a top candidate for the Celtics' head coaching job, the two could be together again in Boston. Hollins spoke yesterday about his coaching style and basketball philosophy, both of which sound in tune with the approach Ainge wants to take. Hollins said he was obviously interested in the job, but he has yet to be contacted by Ainge.

"I've known Danny a long time and we've always had a great relationship," said Hollins, who once served as head coach of the Vancouver Grizzlies. "We've sat at practice and on the bench talking about basketball. Danny has always been a very bright, inquisitive player. We've talked strategy."

The next coach of the Celtics will have to be comfortable with a strategy that includes an up-tempo style.

"I played that way in college, on a championship team in Portland, and our Sixers teams were like that, too," said Hollins. "I believe you have to get easy opportunity baskets. You have to put pressure on a team offensively and defensively. I know Danny would like an up-tempo team and that's what the Boston fans are used to. It's hard. There's a lot of work involved and a lot of sacrifice [with that style]."

Working under Memphis's Hubie Brown (this year's Coach of the Year), Hollins said he has enjoyed a mentor who is tough but fair, and cares about discipline, professionalism, unselfishness, and consistency. Hollins has spent summers developing young players. Also, he believes "being a teacher is a big part of being a coach."

"A lot of what we do [in Memphis], is what I tried to do when I had an opportunity," said Hollins.

Choices with picks

When it comes to the Celtics' three first-round draft picks (Nos. 15, 24, 25), Ainge will not rule out any option. When asked if he would keep all three picks, he said, "I'll see what offers I have for them and explore all the different opportunities. Maybe take two and move up, maybe trade all three and move up, maybe trade one for a future [pick]. Maybe trade a couple for a player."