February 10, 1980
The huddle in the corner yesterday between coach Bill Fitch and Pete Maravich was a long one. It had a little to do with the fact that Gerald Henderson, the Celtics' rookie guard, will likely miss his second straight game because of a hairline fracture on the right side of his jaw.
However, their chat at Hellenic College was mostly about Pistol Pete and what Fitch expects out of him, particularly since the Celtics will be facing the Detroit Pistons this afternoon at the Garden (1 o'clock, WBZ).
"We talked about one of the things I've firmly believed ever since I started coaching," said Fitch, "basic fundamentals. I know he has been a great player in this league. But with us, I'd like him to break down everything to basic fundamentals, as if he were starting all over again.
"There are certain things you don't want to take away from players. And Pete will be even better as a Celtic once he learns the things we're doing and gets into better condition. But you want to stress fundamentals because, with most good teams, that is the thing that wins ballgames. If he can do all those things he does so well and still be under control, it can only help the team overall."
Maravich played only six minutes in Friday's 130-108 victory over the Indiana Pacers, hitting one of three shots and getting one assist. Jeff Judkins and Don Chaney both played longer, filling in at the third guard spot for Henderson. As a duo, both were very effective, particularly in a 43-point second period.
But the Pistons are a better running team than the Pacers, especially now that they have added rebounding strength in Kent Benson, acquired in a trade from Milwaukee. Muscular Leon Douglas, who was injured when the Celtics played in Detroit, is also back. Unless a mask can be devised overnight, Henderson will miss a second straight game and Maravich will likely get an even longer stint today than he had against the Pacers.
Maravich knows what he must do. "I've got a long way to go with this team," he said. "I've got to learn the offense better and concentrate more on defense. I'm just happy to be with a team like this. I've never seen a group of guys with such positive attitudes. I've been on the outside looking in for a long time, and the attitude they have here is contagious. Even the ballboys have it."
There was nothing wrong with Henderson's attitude yesterday. He was running and shooting, and obviously does not plan on giving his job away. "If I can get fitted for a mask," he said, "I'll play tomorow. Regardless, I'll be able to keep my legs, strength and wind by working out. It's not as serious an injury as if it were my legs."
Today's crowd of 15,320 will be the 12th sellout in the last 15 games and will be the 21st this season, a franchise record. The remaining games this year at the Garden are virtual sellouts, with only single seats and obstructed views left.
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The Celtics are the latest team to take a chance on Sean Williams, hoping that his immense physical skills and basketball intelligence will make for a productive stint and that he can avoid his previous off-the-court pitfalls
President of basketball operations Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers did their homework on Williams before signing him to a contract Friday, weighing his potential impact on the team chemistry
Williams, the former Boston College center, was a first-round pick of the Nets in 2007 because of his athletic prowess. They ignored his issues at BC, where he was dismissed from school during his junior season, the last in a series of problems he experienced under coach Al Skinner
Yet his problems continued in the NBA, and he picked up a label as a focused player on the court, and an uncontrollable one off it
"I talked to everyone," Rivers said when asked whether he contacted NBA people who knew Williams. "I talked to nine coaches, assistant coaches, ex-players who played with him, because my locker room is unbelievable and I don't want to bring in anyone, even if it was for five days, that'll upset that
"The one thing they all say is that he's not just smart, he's brilliant smart, but he does dumb things and we have to get him away from that, and [to] just being a ballplayer. That's what he has to view himself as, and if he can do that, he has a chance."
Ya think danny talked to rick carlisle?
ATLANTA - Continuing with his "rest is best" theme, Celtics coach Doc Rivers resisted the temptation to practice this weekend and instead gave his banged-up team the weekend off
A lack of practice time has been a theme all season for every NBA team. It has been cited as a primary reason for ragged play, and the Celtics haven't conducted an organized, legitimate practice since April 3 in Waltham.
Because of the recent blitz of games - 11 in 15 days - and with a veteran team that needs days off, Rivers has used morning shootarounds for instruction
And if Rivers were considering a weekend practice, a quick look around the locker room after Friday's 97-92 loss to the Hawks would be enough to dissuade him
Greg Stiemsma played fewer than 10 minutes Friday because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot and a bone bruise in his right foot. Brandon Bass played on fumes, having endured the three-games-in-three-nights stretch and then a rugged game against Carmelo Anthony in New York.
Bass looked exhausted and overwhelmed at times trying to score against Atlanta's 6-foot-9-inch Josh Smith. He finished 4 for 15 shooting and looked as if he needed a break.
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