Exactly How Important was Cornbread?

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Record 32-9
January 22, 1984
RICHFIELD, Ohio

Max. Max. Max.

When Robert Parish scores 22 points and pulls down 15 rebounds, he says "Max is the key to this ballclub." When Larry Bird fires in 27 with 11 assists, he talks about Max. When K. C. Jones is asked to comment on the Celtics' team defense or a fourth-quarter turnaround, he starts with "Max was the difference . . . "

Cedric Maxwell knows the sacrifices and contributions he's made, and he knows that his teammates understand. Accordingly, there's a collective sense of guilt among the Celtics which prompts them to think of Max any time the credit is being doled out. Parish, Bird and Kevin McHale are going to the All-Star game. All three, plus Dennis Johnson are averaging more points per game than Maxwell. They do the things that attract headlines, mini-cams, and All-Star votes, while Max does the dirty work.

Maxwell's game is as flexible as his elastic torso. He always guards the opposition's big-scoring forward. He is asked to shut down the Marques Johnsons of the world, crash the offensive boards, and occasionally make a move to the basket. When Bird is injured, cold, or foul-plagued, Maxwell reverts to his old offensive game of ball movement and post-ups. "There aren't a lot of players in this league who can stop him down low," says assistant coach Chris Ford.

Maxwell's summation of his adjustable role is, "I do whatever it takes to win." It's no coincidence that when Bird sat out two games with a knee injury in December, Maxwell scored 17 and 22 points. When Bird rested during a cold- shooting stretch Sunday, Maxwell led an 18-2 surge which destroyed the Bucks. On the heels of his 13-point, 10-rebound, 9-assist game in Hartford Friday, Maxwell had 15 points with 11 rebounds and 4 assists Sunday.

"He's asserted himself more on offense in the last couple of games," adds Ford. "He's not going to be called upon to score a lot of points, but it doesn't really bother him. He still does the things that generally go unnoticed." Tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he'll try to shut down Cliff Robinson and let Bird and Parish take care of the offense. If circumstances dictate a different role, Max will be ready. He's been adjusting his pro game for seven years.

"My first year with the Celtics I had to adjust to playing defense. Tommy Heinsohn and Satch Sanders felt I was a detriment on defense. The next year, I led the team in scoring and rebounding because Dave (Cowens) wanted me to score more points. When Bill (Fitch) came, my game went from scoring to defense. My role changed tremendously when we got Larry. I took a secondary role; then we got Robert, and I dropped another notch. Then Kevin starting scoring a lot of points, and I dropped another notch to where I wasn't even a secondary threat."

What type of person does one have to be to accept such changes? "Not being conceited helps," says Max. "It's been my personality all along. From the time I started playing basketball, I've been able to adjust." In 41 starts, Maxwell is averaging 31.3 minutes, 12.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He's shooting .544 (156-287) from the floor and .734 (188-256) from the line. "He playing the way he should be playing," says GM Red Auerbach. "Max is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league."

Maxwell will be a free agent at the end of this season. His agent, Ron Grinker, and Auerbach have talked informally about a new deal, but no one seems to be in a hurry. Both insist Maxwell will be a Celtic next year. "If I went anywhere else, I'm sure I'd score more points," he says, "but I've had a good career and to go somewhere else for personal glory is not really what I want."

MISC

Parish sprained his left ankle in practice yesterday but is expected to play tonight. He's still averaging a whopping 37 minutes per game . . . Scott Wedman, who did not play Sunday, had a short meeting with Auerbach after practice . . . Gerald Henderson has missed six of his last seven three-point efforts and is down to .437 (14-32) for the year . . . Since his 0-8 clanger in Milwaukee, McHale has converted 61 percent (23-38) of his floor shots . . . Bird is hitting 88 percent (178-202) from the line . . . The Celtics had a whopping 42-rebound advantage in their last three games.

The Cavs have lost three straight since winning three of four. World Free is scoring 24.3 points per game and is the only non-All-Star among the league's top 12 scorers. His starting partner in the backcourt will be either Geoff Huston or John Bagley. Huston missed the last two games with back spasms and Bagley filled in with a combined 24 points and 14 assists. Rookie Roy Hinson (66 blocked shots) or Jeff Cook will start at center and Lonnie Shelton (10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds) and Robinson (18, 10.1) will be the starting forwards.