Decision Time for Red: 14 Players, 12 Uniforms

1981-82 Boston Celtics

The Nixon White House called it "twisting slowly in the wind" - a silent torture of non-endorsement, non-condemnation inviting the suspicion and speculation of the news media.

Bill Fitch and Red Auerbach have mastered the technique with their handling of l'affaire Ainge-Carr-Duerod-Fernsten-Jackson-Bradley.

Fourteen Boston Celtics, only 12 of whom will be wearing the green by Christmas, worked out for 2 1/2 hours at the Garden yesterday. Twelve will suit up for tonight's contest with the New Jersey Nets. But as of late yesterday, Auerbach and Fitch weren't sure which 12.

The Celtics were supposed to unveil hotshot all-purpose guard/third baseman Danny Ainge tonight. But Auerbach has not yet made a deal for one of the kids and Tiny Archibald and Chris Ford have colds, and M. L. isn't running at full speed just yet, and Tracy Jackson and Charles Bradley will be stars in this league someday, and Terry Duerod is the people's choice and Eric Fernsten is a great practice player and . . . well, you know the story line by now.

The defending NBA champs have 14 players and only 12 uniforms and there'll be no peace on the sports talkies or in the local journals until the unit is trimmed to a tidy dozen.

It sure wasn't like this in the days when Gene Guarilia and Dan Swartz rode the pine at the tail end of the Boston Celtics bench, and it's hard to remember who Tom Poquette bumped for that all-important 25th spot on the Red Sox roster.

Auerbach, who is reportedly trying to move Jackson to San Diego or Chicago - for a second-round draft pick? - said yesterday, "I won't know for a day. Let's see what happens."

Fitch, after driving the troops through a harsh mid-day session, said, "I don't think Ainge is ready to play in a ballgame situation . . . It might be impossible for us to make the change right now.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are a little tight and players are privately grumbling that things won't be right again until the long-awaited moves are made.

"It's a bad time for everybody and it bothers everybody," Fitch conceded. "I hate to prolong the decision, but right now there's no decision to be made . . . I'm greedy and that's why it's a tough decision."

It's no secret that Fitch is also displeased with the recent play of his 15-4 squad. The Green Wave was pasted Saturday by the Knicks, 103-83, and Fitch openly criticized his "oldtimer" guards, Ford and Archibald. Ford missed Monday's practice and Tiny sat out yesterday's workout, but both are expected to play tonight.

Ainge may not. "The last two practices have to benefit Danny," said Fitch. "The guys have come to appreciate his ability. As a pro, he's going to be able to play point guard. He's going to be a big improvement to our basketball team. How soon, I can't tell you."

Ainge was unavailable for comment: He was twisting slowly in the wind with the rest of the "status-uncertain" Celtics.

The Celtics have won seven in a row against the Nets, including a 111-97 victory at Hartford earlier this year. Boston has won 12 of its last 13 vs. the Nets, Jersey's only victory coming March 23, 1980 (101-96) in Boston. Lifetime, the Celtics are 19-6 vs. the Nets . . . Len Elmore, Sam Lacey and James Bailey have been acquired by the Nets since the start of the season. New Jersey coach Larry Brown can field an All-Atlantic Coast Conference five of Elmore (Maryland), Mike Gminski (Duke), Albert King (Maryland), Mike O'Koren (North Carolina) and Buck Williams (Maryland). Williams had 22 points and 13 rebounds against the Celtics last month.

Red Auerbach had a great time in New York filming a new series of beer commercials . . . Ainge had his first night on the town Saturday, but ended up pushing (Celtic marketing director) Mike Cole's car when it ran out of gas . . . Look for a big night from Robert Parish. Double Zero had his worst game of the year in New York Saturday.