Quinn Buckner Starting to Contribute

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Record 27-8
January 10, 1984

Quinn Buckner avoids controversy. You didn't hear Buckner groaning when Bill Fitch buried him last spring, nor did Buckner cry when K.C. Jones decided to go with Dennis Johnson, Gerald Henderson and Danny Ainge earlier this season. Buckner bottomed out in mid-December with back-to-back shutouts against New York and Cleveland, in which he played a total of 14 minutes. There were no tears or threats from Buckner. Instead, he issued State Department slogans ("All I can do is try to keep myself in shape so I'll be able to contribute when I get a chance") and waited for another chance.

On Dec. 17, he had a hand in a late rally that helped beat Detroit. Four days later, he started the second half of a game against Atlanta and hit five of seven shots to spark a 17-4 game-winning run. "Since the Detroit game, Quinn has been steady for us," says Jones. "He's been running the break, stealing the ball and doing all of the other things he does well." Buckner is averaging more than 20 minutes per game since his resurrection in Detroit. He and M.L. Carr have vaulted into the third and fourth guard slots while Ainge has oozed into the cracks of the bench.

With his usual diplomacy, Buckner says, "I'm glad to be able to contribute. My floor game has come around tremendously. My shooting is still not there, but that's not exactly my calling card anyway. It's been nice to get some consistent minutes. "Right now we have a number of guards playing well. M.L. is helping a lot, and Danny has made great strides since the Washington game. I imagine that will come into play this week." How do the Celtics feel about the 76ers' recent woes? "As much as we'd like to say we don't pay attention, I think at some time every day we all know about it if they've lost," Buckner says.

MISC

The Celtics have won four straight, eight of nine and 18 of 21. A victory over the Golden State Warriors tonight (7:30) at Boston Garden would make Jones the Eastern Conference's All-Star coach. (The coach with the best record Jan. 16 is rewarded with the responsibility.) "I'd like that, but let's get the win first," says Jones.