Carlos Clark and Greg Kite Not Playing Much

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Record: 21-7
12/22/1983

Rookies Carlos Clark and Greg Kite did most of their work between draft day and opening day. They outplayed a dozen other rookie hopefuls and earned unlimited mileage tickets to NBA sites across America. Now they sit. They're sittin' in the morning sun, and they'll be sittin' when the evening's done. They sit and hope for a blowout. They live for garbage time - that magic moment when fans bolt for the exits as coach K.C. Jones rewards his stars with curtain calls and empties the bench.

Appearances have been rare. Kite and Clark are the Celtics' answer to Roger LaFrancois. Boston's 1983-84 season is one-third gone and Clark has played a total of 29 minutes in nine games, while Kite has removed his warmups seven times for a paltry 21 minutes. In the last 10 weeks they've combined for 22 points and 12 rebounds, which is about what you expect from Larry Bird every night. "I tell my friends to get there early if they want to see me," laughs Kite, Boston's first-round pick last spring. "If they don't see me during warmups, they might not see me at all. A friend of mine in Houston mailed me a picture that had Larry in it, and behind Larry you could see me sitting on the bench. The guy said that because of the picture he finally believed I was really on the Celtics."

They aren't complaining. You won't hear any Clyde Drexler types yapping at the end of the Celtic bench. Kite and Clark understand their stifling status and know that Charles Bradley of the Albuquerque Silvers is only a phone call away if they wish to discuss the matter with Jones or Red Auerbach. "I think my time will come," says Clark, a fourth-round pick from Mississippi. "I fought hard to make the team and now I'm just happy to be here." Jones makes no promises he can't keep. "They haven't had a chance to develop," he says, "and I doubt their playing time will get any better. But that shouldn't be tough on their progress. The first year in the league is sit and watch' for them. Next year when they come in, they'll be ready to go. "Their attitudes have been fabulous. They work hard every day and haven't said a word about not playing. Their work habits have been exemplary.

"My first year in the league I got in when we were 20 points down or 20 points up with three minutes left. But I knew why I wasn't out there and it never bothered me." Robert Parish and Kevin McHale are the reasons Greg Kite is not playing. The Celtics are in a season-long duel for first with the world champion Philadelphia 76ers, and don't want to sacrifice any games for the benefit of Mr. Kite. Unfortunately, one of the trickle-down effects of Kite's inactivity is that Parish is playing a whopping 38 minutes per game, seven more than his average in the last three years. The absence of veteran Rick Robey and the non-presence of rookie Kite account for the difference.

"I guess before I came into camp I thought I would play more minutes," says the 6-foot-11, 253-pound Kite. "I didn't realize what the situation would be. But I'd still rather be with a winner. "I know there's a tradeoff. If I were with Indiana, I would probably be playing a little, but that doesn't make up for the advantages you get by being here. I'm on a talented team playing behind great players." Skeptics are quick to place Kite in the Disappointment Category next to Celtic first-round picks who failed - Darren Tillis (1982), Bradley (1981), Norm Cook (1976), Tom Boswell (1975), Glenn McDonald (1974), Steve Downing (1973) and Clarence Glover (1971).

Jones and Auerbach, however, predict good things for both Clark and Kite.

Clark wasn't supposed to make the team in the first place. Both Bradley and free agent John Schweitz were miles ahead of him when camp opened, but Carlos played superbly in preseason games and was touted as a new Lionel Hollins. Clark is lefthanded, active on defense and meshes well with the Celtic running game. He played a lot of forward in college and needs work on his ballhandling, but his teammates think he has a future in the league. "I feel very much accepted by the guys here," says Clark. "They're a great bunch of guys to be with and they've helped me a lot. The more I learn in practice, the more it'll help me in game situations."

MISC

The Celtics are 13-1 against Central Division teams . . . Boston has outrebounded Atlanta, 102-65, this year . . . Celtic assistant coach Jimmy Rodgers scouted the Hawks-Nets game in the Omni last night . . . Boston forward Scott Wedman, who has missed three straight games with a strained hamstring, practiced yesterday and is probable for tonight . . . The Celtics held their annual Christmas party at the Garden yesterday.