The Sherman Douglas Shoe Saga (Part 5)

December 21, 1992

WALTHAM ShermanDouglas returned to practice yesterday after a four-day absence from the Celtics and said he expects to play for the team tomorrow night in New Jersey.

"I needed to talk to my family," Douglas said. "We just talked things over. Nothing was bothering me, there were just things I had on my chest.

"Everyone speculating what's the problem, that's their thing. I wasn't playing up to my expectations. I could take the easy way out and just sit on the bench, but that is not the type of player I am. I want to be the best player I can be."

Douglas announced that he was leaving the team during a road trip to Minneapolis and Indianapolis. He had 20 minutes of playing time during a 124-119 double-overtime win at Minnesota Tuesday; late in the game, he sat on the bench with his shoes off.

After conferring with his agent, Eric Fleisher, he traveled with the squad to Indiana but did not play during a 114-91 loss to the Pacers Wednesday night. He returned to Boston with the team and was greeted at Logan Airport by team physician Arnold Scheller. On Thursday morning, Douglas again met with Scheller. Douglas missed practices that day and Saturday, plus a 113-87 loss to New York Friday.

The Celtics said they would continue to pay Douglas during his absence. At the time, chief executive officer Dave Gavitt said in a WLVI-TV (Ch. 56) interview: "Sherman is having problems. It is an emotional thing for him."

Neither Douglas' problem nor his sudden return has been completely explained. The result has been a mixed reaction among the Celtics, and the matter does not appear to be completely resolved.

"I don't know if all sins are forgiven," coach Chris Ford said. "I still don't know all the answers to what happened. There are still a lot of questions I need answered before I come down heavy one way or the other."

Ford said that Scheller informed him of Douglas' impending return Saturday night.

"I don't know if I'm angry," Ford said. "Things crop up all the time."

Ford was asked if there simply had been a conflict between himself and Douglas.

"If it was simply that, there is no reason for what happened," Ford said. "I didn't have a love affair with all my coaches."

Asked if there had been a communication problem with Douglas, Ford said: "I played in the backcourt with Tiny Archibald for three years and I never communicated with him.

"I've been assured by Red (Auerbach) and Dave (Gavitt) that players can't dictate policies and I can do the things I have to do."

After practice at Brandeis, Douglas briefly conferred with general manager Jan Volk, then submitted to interviews.

Douglas said that he removed his shoes in the Minnesota game because "the tape was tied too tight. I just cut it off."

About his absence, Douglas said: "I was not looking for sympathy. It was one of those things where you are trying to find yourself. People ask how can he make all that money and complain? That is something we have to live with being an athlete. I kept everything inside and never complained and tried to play hard.

"Is it good to be back? I'm in pretty good shape and I feel OK. The sun is going to rise tomorrow. The Celtics are going to be here tomorrow and I'll be here tomorrow."

Douglas, who joined the Celtics via a trade with Miami Jan. 10, 1991, was asked about his adjustment to a new franchise and living conditions.

"You are not going to be at home all your life," he said. "This is a new organization, a new ballclub for me. I haven't established where I fit in and it's been hard.

"I'm fine. I just needed time off and now everything is OK."

Douglas' teammates tried to present the situation as routine.

"It is about time for him to get back to work and get himself together," Xavier McDaniel said. "We welcome him back.

"People take a leave of absence all the time. It's just that we are high-profile athletes and it's public knowledge when we do something. We make human mistakes. If we get scratched, we bleed. This is everyday life and it shows that basketball players are human. The same thing as Magic Johnson."

Celtic administrators appeared tolerant of Douglas' absence and offered to provide professional help had he requested it. However, they likely will not be as forgiving should there be further disruptions.

"At this point, he's back," Volk said. "We hope the issue is resolved between the club and Sherman. We want to put it behind us. The most important thing for our constituents is for Sherman to be back and for him to be playing well.

"In terms of perceptions, everything you do in this business is to make sure perceptions work to your benefit. There are a lot of implications that have to be dealt with."