C's Welcome Back Tiny

1981-82 Boston Celtics

Tiny Archibald is back, and it's apparent that being sick was bad enough, but watching the Celtics play lately had made him even sicker.

"I watched on TV," Tiny said following yesterday's Hellenic College workout, "and we'd better start executing our half-court game if we're going to be competitive. We definitely should be better. We've got guys with talent and guys who can fit in with a team, but we're not executing well enough.

"Teams are trying hard to stop our fast break," Tiny continued. "They feel if we get running it's curtains for them. They feel if they can stop our running and get us into a half-court game we can be had. So we've got to improve our execution."

The Celtics would be very well advised to reduce their turnovers in tonight's game with the Mavericks (WRKO 7:30 p.m.). In their three non- Archibald games last week the Celtics committed 72 turnovers, compared to their opponents' 49. The leading miscreant has been Larry Bird, who compiled 18 (6-8-4) in those three games.

Archibald has further observed that being the defending champion has clearly made life more difficult. "Teams feel that if they can do well against us, the team that won it all, that they can play against anybody. They figure that if they can beat us, nobody else in the league can be that tough. Look at a team like Atlanta. We handled them pretty well last year, but already we've had three tough games with them."

Archibald's return to the lineup will most likely coincide with Robert Parish's temporary absence. The 7-foot center has the same flu touch that Tiny had last week, and was unable to practice yesterday. His status for the game with Dallas tonight is questionable, at best. There's nothing to cry about, however, since the Celtics are well-stocked in the middle with Rick Robey, Kevin McHale and Eric Fernsten.

There is no question that had Archibald himself been out any longer the Celtics would have contributed heavily to any researcher trying to find an antibiotic that would curb the flu. All the worst fears concerning Life Without Tiny were confirmed when the club struggled to a split in the home- and-home series with the Hawks.

"It was terrible," says McHale of his non-Archibald existence. "The worst. You get so used to posting up down low, sticking your hand up and finding the ball hitting it. Plus, at the end of the game he's so good with the ball. He doesn't bring it up with a sideways dribble; he comes straight up. He's always very conscious of getting everybody the ball who needs it. Sometimes when your man has scored on you, he'll say, Let's get two back on him,' and give you the ball."

Rick Robey likewise missed having Archibald around. "We really missed Tiny in our running game," Robey pointed out. "We also need his steadiness as a veteran guard. We really need him on the road. We might survive for two or three games without him, but over a whole season it would be very tough."

The Celtics were a much different team without Archibald. They did not get the "right-back" baskets or free throws within five to eight seconds after an opposing score. Archibald's penetration in these situations also leads to opposing clubs getting into both individual and team foul trouble. In addition, Archibald is an acknowledged master at improvisation when a play has broken down and the 24-second clock is ticking away.

But Archibald's absence wasn't all bad. Danny Ainge was force-fed, with generally positive results. "Now know that teams aren't going to be able to pressure us when Tiny isn't on the floor," says Fitch, "because Ainge can handle it. Ainge and Gerry Henderson together will be all right.

"We really did benefit in the long run not having Tiny," concludes Fitch, "because we did learn to make some adjustments. Now we'll have to make adjustments if Robert can't play. A good team has to be able to do this, in our case even if - God forbid - Larry couldn't play."

No matter which combination is available, the Celtics must soon spruce up their attack. "Our game," Archibald contends, "has not really been that consistent offensively. The only thing that's been a plus for us has been our defense."

That, Tiny, is where your teammates believe you come in. Their message is clear: Welcome back.