Cowens Dealt for Buckner

September 11, 1982

Chalk up another stunning coup for Celtics general manager Red Auerbach, the sly old fox who still knows how to pick the pockets of such willing victims as the Milwaukee Bucks.

This time around Auerbach skillfully orchestrated a deal that yesterday resulted in the Celtics acquiring six-year veteran guard Quinn Buckner from the Bucks in exchange for a 33-year-old physically worn Dave Cowens, who at best in the admitted view of his new team is a short term gamble. Cowens, who has decided to come out of his self-imposed retirement, hasn't played in an NBA game since Sept. 30, 1980. The Bucks reluctantly agreed to give up Buckner to the Celtics in exchange for the rights to Cowens.

The Bucks wasted little time showcasing Cowens at an afternoon press conference in Milwaukee after the former Celtics center signed a two-year contract calling for a reported $400,000 to $500,000 per season. The Celtics, on the other hand, have yet to talk to Buckner, who has temporarily gone into hiding from the media. He was quoted by Milwaukee public relations director Bill King as saying that he will duck all interviews until he has had the opportunity to meet with Celtics management sometime in the near future.

Celtics coach Bill Fitch said he hasn't talked to his new acquisition since the transaction became official, but he added that he can understand why Buckner refuses to communicate with the press at this time.

"He (Buckner) just bought a new home, and this came as a shock to him," explained Fitch. "He's a helluva person, and a grand addition to the Celtics organization. His style of play won't be that different. It should be easy for him to adjust."

Fitch said he doesn't feel any problems have been solved by acquiring Buckner, noting that he had a number of capable guards to choose from in the team's pre-season camp. But there's little doubt that the addition of Buckner, who has developed into a fine jump shooter with a 12-13 points-per-game average to go along with his defensive skills, reduces the concern there was over the team's backcourt situation.

Cowens on the other hand was quite candid during his introduction to the Milwaukee media. At his side was his new coach, Don Nelson. They were together again after having played together for several years with the Celtics.

Asked why he decided to leave Boston, Cowens replied, "The Celtics didn't want me because I don't think they needed me. They have a deep front line, and they didn't want to pay me what I wanted."

Cowens brushed off a suggestion that he and Fitch didn't get along too well with the observation that "he (Fitch) was the coach, I was the player."

Cowens expresed the opinion that he could make a valuable contribution to the Milwaukee team. "I've lost the practical skills because I haven't done them day in and day out, but I've gained something from the physical side," he said. After being worn down and beaten up during a rugged NBA career, Cowens said he feels that his body has been "refreshened" after sitting out two NBA campaigns.

Nelson said he felt like he was wearing two faces. "One is happy because we ve acquired Cowens, and improved our team," he explained. "The other is very sad because I lost another good friend (Buckner), and a man who has been with me for six years. But we've improved ourselves at a weakness where we always seem to get worn down against the bigger teams.

"We're ready to make a legitimate run with Bob Lanier near retirement, and the time has come," added a confident Nelson. "I know we're taking a risk, a calculated risk." He said either Sidney Moncrief or Brian Winters would have to fill the vacancy left by the loss of Buckner.

Nelson conceded that from the Celtics' viewpoint, they got something for nothing because Cowens wasn't going to return to the Celtics under any circumstances.

Though Cowens has been working out daily since last April to get himself back into playing condition, it remains to be seen if he can make it all the way back and avoid being plagued by back and foot ailments that eventually forced him to call it quits a couple of years ago.