Professional sports is replete with expletive-laden trash talk that has almost become a competition of its own. Players jaw at each other all the time, but sometimes it’s even more fun when the executives have at it - especially if they’re two NBA legends.

“Danny Ainge needs to shut the fuck up and manage his own team. He was the biggest whiner when he was playing, and I know that because I coached against him.”

So sayeth Miami Heat team president, Pat Riley.

What prompted such a colorful response from the 5-time NBA Champion coach? The chronology: The Heat’s  27 game win-streak is ended just short of the all time record in a loss to the Chicago Bulls. Lebron James whines about the officiating. Then Boston Celtics team president Danny Ainge decides it’s necessary for him to chime in on a situation that has absolutely no bearing on him or his team, calling LBJ’s complaining “almost embarrassing.”

Pat Riley no likey.

So the basketball executive fired off the critique of his decades-long rival via a Heat spokesman, Tim Donovan. Ainge was told of Riley’s comments just prior to the Celtics - Hawks game on Friday and responded contritely: “Pat Riley’s right. I should manage my own team. I [myself] complained a lot to the officials.” And…then not  so contritely: “And I’m right. LeBron should be embarrassed about how he complains about the calls he gets.”

One would be wise to assume this ain’t over yet. And hey - who needs elite NBA athletes battling on the court when you can have old guys in neckties posturing from behind desks? ViralRead will definitely keep you posted…