Ainge’s Era Begins With Loss To Lakers

Open your window. The distant sound you hear is that of Charles Barkley laughing.

Sir Charles’ former team, the Suns, are 0-9, the league’s only winless team, and Cotton Fitzsimmons quit as their coach this week, kicking himself back into the Phoenix front office. Former assistant Danny Ainge is now driving this downbound train.

Ainge lost in his debut as an NBA coach Sunday night 102-88 to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Suns tied a franchise record for most consecutive losses at the start of a season. They are the only winless team in the league.

Fitzsimmons said he was stepping aside now “in the best interest of the club.” What he was really doing was stepping aside for self-preservation. At 65, Fitzsimmons was the oldest coach in the league, and a reluctant one at that. He had joined the front office in 1992 after four winning seasons on the Suns’bench, only to be pressed back into duty Jan. 16 when Owner Jerry Colangelo fired Paul Westphal.

For Fitzsimmons, it became clear last weekend when the Suns trailed the 76ers 15-2 on their way to a 112-95 loss in Philadelphia.

“It was embarrassing the way we came out and played,” Fitzsimmons said. “The fact that I can’t get (an honest effort) from them is embarrassing to me as a coach. I thought we’d be better.”

Hoped might be a better word. Like many Suns insiders, Fitzsimmons loved Barkley’s ability but didn’t like that he had been allowed to have his own set of rules.

The 76ers imploded when they traded Barkley. Now, it’s the Suns’ turn.

Camby breaks out

Former UMass star Marcus Camby is starting to bust out in his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors. After scoring and rebounding in single digits his first few NBA games, Camby has started scoring more than 20 a night, including 23 against the Philadelphia 76ers in his first start at center and a personal best 29 points against the New York Knicks.

“Every day, I’m feeling more comfortable,” Camby said. “That’s why I left school early, because I felt confident I belonged at this level. It’s going to take a little more time for me to get well-adjusted to the league … but I’m slowly growing in my role. I think I’m making small strides.”

Injury updates

The news was not as bad as it could have been for the Orlando Magic. Arthroscopic surgery performed Sunday on Penny Hardaway’s left knee confirmed cartilage damage, however the all-star point guard is only expected to be sidelined two-to-four weeks. The team originally thought he might miss up to six weeks.

The Knicks hope Chris Childs will be ready to rejoin them when they meet the Magic on Tuesday night in Orlando. Childs’ status will be re-evaluated after he practices Monday. He has missed the entire regular season with a non-displaced fracture of the right fibula, but he returned to practice last week.