KC Jones Tries to Keep Opponents' Guessing

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Record: 11-5
11/30/1983

For K.C. Jones, it comes down to basic NBA logic. If something works, he wants his Celtics to ram it down opponents' throats. But if the opposition catches on, he'll try something else.It was that philosophy he had in mind yesterday when he talked about a change in basic strategy in the Celtics' last two games - a ploy he hopes will continue to work tonight (8 p.m., WRKO) as they seek their third straight win against the San Antonio Spurs.

"We had a lot of success early because of our pressing defense," said Jones. "We used four guards and went right after teams. That's one of the big reasons we won nine in a row."But the truth is that the other teams have scouted us now, and have come up with plays to help break the pressure. They're doubling up inside and almost embarrassing our guards by giving them wide-open shots. We lost four games because we didn't take advantage of this.

But in the last two games, we've gotten good shooting from the guards, especially Gerald Henderson. If we can continue to do this, it will eventually open up our inside game."That's what happened on Sunday night against Detroit. When Gerald got hot, it opened up the middle and allowed Kevin McHale to do some things. We've pretty much got in mind what we'd like to do inside with our big men. If we can get the same flow with our guards, we'll be in good shape."

The revelation yesterday by Jones isn't exactly news. Philadelphia made a living of the "Double Trouble" philosophy when it faced Boston, and predictably the style was copied by almost everyone. In addition to easing the full-court pressure, Jones is scrapping the basic four-guard rotation in favor of a more traditional approach. Henderson and Dennis Johnson remain the starters. Quinn Buckner and Danny Ainge will continue to operate off the bench. But no longer will there be an attempt to balance minutes or egos.

Jones feels that whoever plays the best will start, and right now his best combination is Henderson and Johnson. Henderson's ability to shoot from the outside and also penetrate is something the Celtics want other teams to worry about. Johnson's forte is, of course, defense, but he is also a decent outside shot, and is not afraid to duck inside and post his man. If either man should tire, look for Buckner to be the first sub. All four will play, but obviously, somebody is not going to get a great deal of minutes.

"That's just the way it has to be right now," said Jones. "I know what it's like for guys like Buckner and Ainge to sit on the bench. I did it for five years and know how it feels. Since Buckner and Ainge have more talent than I ever did, I know it must be even more difficult."Jones says it is important that his men understand that he still wants to operate with basically 10 players, with the hope that eventually both rookies Carlos Clark and Greg Kite can be brought into the master plan.

"But certain things have to be set," he said. "We know inside that we have three starters, and McHale is likely to go in for two of them (Robert Parish or Larry Bird). But the next two guys are role people. Scott (Wedman) is going to get some time. M.L. Carr is the old pro whose job it is to come in and give us life, wherever we need him. The same thing has got to happen with the guards."

Jones said his rookies suffer under such a traditional system, but they haven't been forgotten. "Both Carlos and Greg are very talented," he said. "But they have to do their playing out here on the practice court right now. Hopefully, we can work them in later, and there is no way to predict injury. The one thing I tell them is to keep themselves ready, to continue to do the things that helped them make the ballclub."

The Spurs come to town tonight for the final game of a three-game road trip. San Antonio, which played last night at New York, has a new coach in Morris McHone, an assistant last year to Stan Albeck, now at New Jersey. Celtic assistant coach Chris Ford, who has scouted San Antonio, says they are basically the same kind of club they were last year, led by George (Iceman) Gervin, Mike Mitchell and Artis Gilmore. Veteran forward Gene Banks, however, has been the hottest Spur of late, says Ford . . . Boston will be off tomorrow before crucial home games with Portland Friday and Philadelphia Sunday.