Sonics Down C's in Preseason

1981-82 Boston Celtics

With both Chris Ford and M.L. Carr sidelined, the Celtics present an interesting look these days, what with all those Duerods, Bradleys, Jacksons and Brandons running around out there alongside Tiny Archibald and Gerry Henderson.

"I'd rather have all new people than three or four guys out there knowing what they're doing and the other one or two not knowing," says Bill Fitch, as only a coach would.

The Celtics' entourage took in Tuesday night's Seattle-Phoenix game at the Coliseum, an affair won easily by the Sonics. Phoenix performed without Alvan Adams, who had the flu. The game marked Gus Williams' return to Seattle, and he was a mite nervous at the outset, missing his first seven shots. Be advised, however, that he is nonetheless the same old Gus Williams. He lit up the Lakers for 32 in his first game back on Sunday night.

Clifford Ray is trying out for the Suns as a backup center. "If I don't make it," he said, "I've still got a grape farm." Ray looks somewhat bigger than the John Hancock Building, but he may soon be tending those grapes . . . Larry Bird has already done enough amazing things to rate a highlight film. After watching Bird destroy his ballclub last Friday night, 76er general manager Pat Williams announced that Bird was "scary." . . . The Celtics will play the Sonics tonight at the Coliseum (the Rolling Stones have appropriated the Kingdome), and will then journey to Vancouver, B.C., for a game with Seattle on Saturday. The four-game Western swing will conclude on Sunday in Portland . . . Rumors abound that Bob McAdoo will wind up in either Milwaukee, which makes no sense, or Washington, which sounds logical, since McAdoo is Gene Shue's type of Wayward Wanderer.

Paul Westphal is off his crutches and is already engaged in weight training to regain the strength in his injured leg. He will not be involved in radio work, however, as originally planned . . . Howard Slusher will be presenting another contract to San Diego today in the hopes of signing Tom Chambers, the Clippers' first-round draft pick.