C's may Cut Ties with Cornbread

June 13, 1985

MAXWELL ON BLOCK

The Celtics have put Cedric Maxwell on the available list. They have let it be known that they will entertain offers from other NBA teams for their veteran forward, hoping to make a move before next Tuesday's college draft.



Maxwell was not a factor for the defending champions this past season. He arrived in training camp late and out of shape after a contract dispute, underwent arthroscopic surgery at midseason for an injured knee, and became invisible after that.

The Celtics' front office was upset at the less-than-diligent way Maxwell approached his rehabilitation program and, as a result, was unable to help the team in the stretch run.

It is doubtful, however, that any team with a high choice in this year's draft would want to give it up for Maxwell, who carries a questionable knee and a fat contract.

However, the Celtics made it known to would-be buyers that they'd be willing to pick up a part of Maxwell's contract if the right kind of deal could be struck. Many folks around the league feel a fresh challenge with another team might be the motivation Maxwell needs to get himself healthy and productive again.

There is further speculation that the Celtics might be trying to work on a deal to bring Bill Walton, now a free agent, to Boston.

Walton has told the Los Angeles Clippers he wants to move elsewhere. In the past, he's told friends that he'd love to play in Boston. He has also said it would be a pleasure for him to play with Larry Bird some time in his career.

Walton is coming off his healthiest and most productive year in a while, and should be more than capable of giving the Celtics 15 minutes of rebounding and outside shooting off the bench.

Perhaps you thought it strange that the San Diego Chargers announced on Tuesday that they had terminated Tim Fox' contract, then, less than 24 hours later, said he had signed and would be on the team next season.

The Chargers were trying to get rid of Fox, a former All-Pro safety with the Patriots, but they got outfoxed. Tim played out his option last season but didn't receive any offers from other NFL teams. The Chargers had until June 1 to tender him an offer or lose him as a free agent without compensation.

The Chargers sent Fox an offer just before the deadline, and Fox had 15 days to respond, which he did in writing on June 10. That automatically put his contract into effect for next season and really stuffed it to the Chargers because now they owe him a full year's pay even if they cut him. (He had a no- cut provision from a prior arrangement.)

The reaction by the local media and many of the fans to the Celtics' failure to repeat as NBA champs was pathetic. If anything, the Celtics should have been praised for taking the finals to six games against a better team. The Lakers are more talented, just as they were a year ago when the Celtics beat them.

The Celtics are probably the most overachieving team in sports and have been since the Larry Bird Era began. They play harder than other team, which is why they usually end up with the best regular-season record. In the six years Bird has been here, the Celtics' regular-season record is 367-125, Philly is 356-136 and the Lakers 345-147. Counting play-offs, the Celtics are 30-30 against Philly and 12-13 against LA in those six years.

There is no reason to break up the Celtics' starting five, with Bird, Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge still under 30, Dennis Johnson at 30 and Robert Parish at 32. This starting unit can play another two or three years together without any problems.