The 1985-86 Boston Celtics were something special.
There's no disagreement about that.
But as memories fade over time, the 72-10 record of the 1995-95 Chicago Bulls tends to stand out when the debate turns to all-time great NBA teams.
Make no mistake, members of the 1985-86 Boston Celtics are intimately aware of the need to continue fighting for their place at the table.
First, Danny Ainge was asked about the 1985-86 Celtics home court advantage. "You guys were 40-1," the interviewer posited. "Actually," Danny said, "we were 50-1, if you include the playoffs." "Yeah, and I guess you'd have to include the playoffs since they are the most important part of the season," the interviewer conceded.
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls lost two games at home.
Next, Larry Bird was asked about the new Big Three. He responded by saying that the phrase "Big Three" as applied to the 1985-86 Boston Celtics was a kind of backhanded slap in the face to Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Bill Walton, Scott Wedman, Jerry Sichting, and Rick Carlisle.
Dennis Johnson was selected to the all-defensive team nine times. He won the finals MVP once, and was largely responsible for holding Magic Johnson in check during the 1984 finals. He was also considered "money" in the fourth quarter of big games.
Bill Walton was a former league MVP, and won Sixth Man of the Year in 1985-86, leading the entire league in rebounds per minute. Scott Wedman had been an NBA All Star, and filled in for Kevin McHale when he missed 14 games with an injury. During that stretch, the Celtics went on a long win streak that included two wins over the Lakers. All Jerry Sichting did was shoot .570 from the field and .920 from the stripe in substituting for DJ and Ainge at both guard spots.
After the Chicago Bulls Big Three of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, the rest of the starting lineup was comprised of Luc Longley and Ron Harper. Neither of those two would be confused with an NBA Finals MVP or 9-time All-Defense member. Toni Kukoc did win Sixth Man of the Year, and Steve Kerr was probably about as good as Sichting. But to even mention Bill Wennington in the same breath as Bill Walton, who absolutely owned Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in both games against the Lakers, is ridiculous to say the least.
Speaking of Mountain Man, Bill Walton was the latest to weigh in on the 1985-86 Celtics. In an interview with Bill Simmons, Walton was asked to comment on the two games he dominated Kareem that year. "Oh come on, Simmons," Walton protested in feigned disbelief, "you must be smoking some good stuff because I never dominated Kareem." Walton always defers to his UCLA predecessor when anyone hints that he outplayed him in head-to-head matchups.
Next Simmons asked Walton if he thought the Cs would have even won the title that year without him. Again, Walton feigned disgust with the interviewer.
But Walton's tone changed when the subject came to how the team as a whole stacks up against the all-time great teams in NBA history.
"Now in your single home loss to Portland that year," Simmons interjected, "the Trailblazers gave you some matchup problems."
I thought Walton was going to come through my headphones at work.
"Match-up problems? What matchup problems? This is the 1986 Boston Celtics we're talking about here. There were no matchup problems for us that year!"
Walton went on to explain how out of the team's 15 losses that year, 14 came to teams with losing records (by which he actually meant losing records at the end of the season). The only serious foe the Celtics faced that year, Walton continued, was themselves. The team's own inability to stay focused, he said, probably cost them a shot some improbably high won-loss record.
Keep on a fightin', guys.
The battle in the trenches may be over, but the battle over history is just beginning.
Showing posts with label 1985-86 Celtics Bench. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1985-86 Celtics Bench. Show all posts
9.19.2011
8.31.2011
Wedman Feeling Better as Bird Averages 31, 13, and 7.7 on Road Trip
February 21, 1986
Wedman Feeling Better as Bird Averages 31, 13, and 7.7 on Road Trip
Flanked by his wife, Kim, and physical therapist/chiropractor Steve Krischel, Scott Wedman strolled into the lobby of the Denver Marriott early yesterday afternoon.
"I feel much better," said Wedman. "I'm going to warm up and try to play if I can."
Wedman left the Celtics in Phoenix Tuesday and flew to Kansas City while the team flew to Oakland, Calif. The Celtics organization said Wedman was excused to handle a personal problem, but refused to elaborate. When it became apparent that Wedman wasn't going to make it to Oakland for Wednesday's game, the Celts finally admitted that Wedman was suffering from a strained back.
Greg Kite started in Wedman's place Wednesday and grabbed nine rebounds as the Celts beat the Warriors, 115-100. Larry Bird registered his third triple- double of the trip: 36 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
Wedman got a loud round of applause when he boarded the team bus last night. Aware of the speculation and confusion surrounding Wedman's departure, the players kidded Wedman about the rumors sparked by his absence.
"I'm not really that worried about it," Wedman said before last night's game. "People that know what's going on know what the problem is. The main thing now is to take care of my back.
"The longer I let it go, the worse it gets," said Wedman. "Kansas City was the closest place without flying back to Boston . . . I'm sure the people (doctors) in Boston could have helped too, but it would have been a lot more flying time Tuesday."
Wedman said Krischel might accompany him to Boston when the Celtics return home today.
Celtics coach K.C. Jones started Wedman at the small forward spot last night.
He's a Real Nowhere Man: Kevin McHale didn't plan to play last night. Due to a sore left Achilles' tendon, McHale hasn't started a game since Jan. 22 and did not play a minute in the first six games of the Coast trip. Jones finally admitted that he would have left McHale home if he'd known McHale wouldn't play on the trip. "It's something we didn't know at the time," said Jones. "My approach was positive."
Danny Ainge shot 5 for 15 in Oakland and was 12 for 46 on the trip prior to last night's game. "I hadn't shot enough shots to be in a slump until tonight," Ainge said after the Warrior game. "But now I'm in one and I have to shoot my way out of it." . . . In the first six games of the trip, Bird averaged 31.5 points, 13 rebounds and 7.7 assists. Informed of yet another flight delay at the Oakland airport early yesterday, Bird said, "Anybody got a blank stat sheet? I want to mail my stats in for tonight's game and go home. Put me down for 20 points, 18 rebounds and no assists." . . . Jerry Sichting shot 62 percent (18 for 29) in five games after an 0-for-4 start in Sacramento. He's shooting 54 percent from the floor this season . . . Bill Walton is averaging 16.2 rebounds per 48 minutes . . . Rick Carlisle grew a beard while on the road, but says he plans to shave it off . . . Robert Parish had his name misspelled in the official box (Parrish) for the fifth time in seven stops when the Celts visited Oakland. Parish is a six-time All-Star and played four seasons for Golden State . . . Celtics equipment masters Wayne LeBeaux and Joe Qatato have been helping out since the team was in Los Angeles.
Wedman Feeling Better as Bird Averages 31, 13, and 7.7 on Road Trip
Flanked by his wife, Kim, and physical therapist/chiropractor Steve Krischel, Scott Wedman strolled into the lobby of the Denver Marriott early yesterday afternoon.
"I feel much better," said Wedman. "I'm going to warm up and try to play if I can."
Wedman left the Celtics in Phoenix Tuesday and flew to Kansas City while the team flew to Oakland, Calif. The Celtics organization said Wedman was excused to handle a personal problem, but refused to elaborate. When it became apparent that Wedman wasn't going to make it to Oakland for Wednesday's game, the Celts finally admitted that Wedman was suffering from a strained back.
Greg Kite started in Wedman's place Wednesday and grabbed nine rebounds as the Celts beat the Warriors, 115-100. Larry Bird registered his third triple- double of the trip: 36 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
Wedman got a loud round of applause when he boarded the team bus last night. Aware of the speculation and confusion surrounding Wedman's departure, the players kidded Wedman about the rumors sparked by his absence.
"I'm not really that worried about it," Wedman said before last night's game. "People that know what's going on know what the problem is. The main thing now is to take care of my back.
"The longer I let it go, the worse it gets," said Wedman. "Kansas City was the closest place without flying back to Boston . . . I'm sure the people (doctors) in Boston could have helped too, but it would have been a lot more flying time Tuesday."
Wedman said Krischel might accompany him to Boston when the Celtics return home today.
Celtics coach K.C. Jones started Wedman at the small forward spot last night.
He's a Real Nowhere Man: Kevin McHale didn't plan to play last night. Due to a sore left Achilles' tendon, McHale hasn't started a game since Jan. 22 and did not play a minute in the first six games of the Coast trip. Jones finally admitted that he would have left McHale home if he'd known McHale wouldn't play on the trip. "It's something we didn't know at the time," said Jones. "My approach was positive."
Danny Ainge shot 5 for 15 in Oakland and was 12 for 46 on the trip prior to last night's game. "I hadn't shot enough shots to be in a slump until tonight," Ainge said after the Warrior game. "But now I'm in one and I have to shoot my way out of it." . . . In the first six games of the trip, Bird averaged 31.5 points, 13 rebounds and 7.7 assists. Informed of yet another flight delay at the Oakland airport early yesterday, Bird said, "Anybody got a blank stat sheet? I want to mail my stats in for tonight's game and go home. Put me down for 20 points, 18 rebounds and no assists." . . . Jerry Sichting shot 62 percent (18 for 29) in five games after an 0-for-4 start in Sacramento. He's shooting 54 percent from the floor this season . . . Bill Walton is averaging 16.2 rebounds per 48 minutes . . . Rick Carlisle grew a beard while on the road, but says he plans to shave it off . . . Robert Parish had his name misspelled in the official box (Parrish) for the fifth time in seven stops when the Celts visited Oakland. Parish is a six-time All-Star and played four seasons for Golden State . . . Celtics equipment masters Wayne LeBeaux and Joe Qatato have been helping out since the team was in Los Angeles.
11.04.2009
The Bill Walton Effect
There are many things I remember about the 1985-86 Boston Celtics' bench. Jerry Sichting shooting .570 from the floor and .924 from the stripe. The Celtics' posting a 15-3 record with Scott Wedman filling in for an injured Kevin McHale, and more than holding his own. Rick Carlisle coming up big against the Lakers in the Forum. David Thirdkill making the most of his minutes. And Bill Walton totally dominating Kareem in two games against the Fakers that season.
But the most vivid memory I have is the look on the faces of opponents when Bill Walton got up off the bench and walked over to the scorer's table. You could see the heads and shoulders of opposing players slump. Others cursed in disgust. Think Kobe Bryant after Paul Pierce hit his second three in a row during game 1 of the NBA Finals (I absolutely love this vid. Kobe's entire body slumps. Also note that right before the second three, PJ Brown rejects Kobe!).
Now let's turn our attention to this year.
If you read any Sixers' blogs, you'll find that their fans were congratulating themselves for playing our starters close in the first quarter of last night's game. Bravo. But then the Celtics' reserves came in, and the momentum of the game changed--immediately. This is par for the course over the first 5 games of the 2009-10 NBA season. If this continues, it won't be long before the sight of Celtics' reserves standing up and moving over to the scorer's table will strike fear in every opponent Boston faces the rest of the year.
But the most vivid memory I have is the look on the faces of opponents when Bill Walton got up off the bench and walked over to the scorer's table. You could see the heads and shoulders of opposing players slump. Others cursed in disgust. Think Kobe Bryant after Paul Pierce hit his second three in a row during game 1 of the NBA Finals (I absolutely love this vid. Kobe's entire body slumps. Also note that right before the second three, PJ Brown rejects Kobe!).
Now let's turn our attention to this year.
If you read any Sixers' blogs, you'll find that their fans were congratulating themselves for playing our starters close in the first quarter of last night's game. Bravo. But then the Celtics' reserves came in, and the momentum of the game changed--immediately. This is par for the course over the first 5 games of the 2009-10 NBA season. If this continues, it won't be long before the sight of Celtics' reserves standing up and moving over to the scorer's table will strike fear in every opponent Boston faces the rest of the year.
Indulge the Guilty Pleasure
The Celtics, who are 5-0 and are outscoring opponents by an average of 22 points per game, won easily without significant contributions from Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins. Both Garnett (23 minutes) and Perkins (20 minutes) had 3 points and six rebounds, their teammates jokingly accusing them of taking the night off.
The Sixers pulled within 15 after three quarters, but the Celtic reserves turned it into a rout. Eddie House and Rasheed Wallace hit 3-pointers in the first 5:53 of the quarter, and a Lester Hudson trey increased the advantage to 95-61 with 4:59 remaining. “They take a lot of pressure off us,’’ Paul Pierce said. “We saw it early, the potential of our bench. Hopefully, they’ll continue to do the things to make them play great. “The more rest the better. That means we’re playing well, and, knowing it’s a long season, it’s going to pay off late in the season.’’
Pierce said the intrasquad scrimmages have improved both the starters and the second unit. “It’s tough to stop them, actually, and that’s why I think our defense is so good,’’ Pierce said, “because if we stop them, we can pretty much stop anybody.’’ Wallace scored 20 points and was 6 for 8 on 3-pointers.
“The best part is, when one guy has it going, they make a concerted effort to make sure that guy is getting the next shot until somebody stops him. You don’t see that a lot from a lot of benches. “They’re veterans, they understand the game, they’re playing to win, they have no agendas. Those three guys [Marquis Daniels, House, Wallace] kind of set the table.’’
LINK
Go ahead. Admit it. The thought has crossed your mind. The Boston Celtics' bench is better than their starters. There's nothing wrong with this guilty pleasure. It's not even a four-letter daydream, depending on how you go about comparing the effectiveness of the first and second units. There is no doubt the second-unit plays every second on the floor like the starters played every second of the 2007-08 season.
Let's get a couple of things straight. The 2009-10 Boston Celtics' bench is ahead of schedule. If the barometer is the 1985-86 bench, then the 2009-10 bench is way ahead of schedule. Look here and you'll see how Bill Walton embarrassed himself in the first game of the 1985-86 season. Look here and you'll see that the bench was still underperforming and disappointing as late as December 11th, 1985. It wasn't until the end of December 1985 that the 1985-86 bench started to gel and show some promise.
So my question is if the 2009-10 bench is playing this well now, what will they look like come December and January, especially as we start to prepare to play that one team from the other coast?
The Sixers pulled within 15 after three quarters, but the Celtic reserves turned it into a rout. Eddie House and Rasheed Wallace hit 3-pointers in the first 5:53 of the quarter, and a Lester Hudson trey increased the advantage to 95-61 with 4:59 remaining. “They take a lot of pressure off us,’’ Paul Pierce said. “We saw it early, the potential of our bench. Hopefully, they’ll continue to do the things to make them play great. “The more rest the better. That means we’re playing well, and, knowing it’s a long season, it’s going to pay off late in the season.’’
Pierce said the intrasquad scrimmages have improved both the starters and the second unit. “It’s tough to stop them, actually, and that’s why I think our defense is so good,’’ Pierce said, “because if we stop them, we can pretty much stop anybody.’’ Wallace scored 20 points and was 6 for 8 on 3-pointers.
“The best part is, when one guy has it going, they make a concerted effort to make sure that guy is getting the next shot until somebody stops him. You don’t see that a lot from a lot of benches. “They’re veterans, they understand the game, they’re playing to win, they have no agendas. Those three guys [Marquis Daniels, House, Wallace] kind of set the table.’’
LINK
Go ahead. Admit it. The thought has crossed your mind. The Boston Celtics' bench is better than their starters. There's nothing wrong with this guilty pleasure. It's not even a four-letter daydream, depending on how you go about comparing the effectiveness of the first and second units. There is no doubt the second-unit plays every second on the floor like the starters played every second of the 2007-08 season.
Let's get a couple of things straight. The 2009-10 Boston Celtics' bench is ahead of schedule. If the barometer is the 1985-86 bench, then the 2009-10 bench is way ahead of schedule. Look here and you'll see how Bill Walton embarrassed himself in the first game of the 1985-86 season. Look here and you'll see that the bench was still underperforming and disappointing as late as December 11th, 1985. It wasn't until the end of December 1985 that the 1985-86 bench started to gel and show some promise.
So my question is if the 2009-10 bench is playing this well now, what will they look like come December and January, especially as we start to prepare to play that one team from the other coast?
10.15.2009
Celtics Acquire Sichting
October 3, 1985
Section: SPORTS
SICHTING A CELTIC INDIANA GETS TWO 2D-ROUND PICKS
The Celtics yesterday put the finishing touch on their off-season reconstruction job, acquiring guard Jerry Sichting from the Indiana Pacers for two second-round draft picks.
The Celtics' house is in order. Three and a half months after losing the championship series to the Lakers, Boston has re-signed free agent Dennis Johnson and added Bill Walton, Sly Williams, Sam Vincent and Sichting in place of Cedric Maxwell, M.L. Carr, Quinn Buckner and Ray Williams.
Sichting was the final piece. DJ and Danny Ainge are Boston's starting guards, but the Celts wanted a veteran third guard to take some of the heat off rookie Vincent.
"Hopefully I can provide some leadership on the floor," Sichting said before flying to Boston last night. "My strengths are my outside shooting and my ball handling."
Indiana's 6-foot-1-inch, five-year veteran fills Boston's need for an experienced shooting guard. A lifetime 50 percent pro shooter, he rarely turns the ball over and averaged almost six assists per game in 1983-84. Last year the Pacer captain shot 52 percent and averaged 11 points. His lifetime free throw percentage is a scintillating .852.
"I feel about four or five years younger," Sichting said after the trade was announced. "It's finally over and now I can get to work again. This is what I'd wanted and hoped for most of the summer. I thought it might happen and now it has."
Sichting is a native Hoosier who played his college ball at Purdue, but he'd grown weary of Pacer management and Indiana's losing records. He was a free agent this summer and inked a four-year, $850,000 offer sheet with the Celtics. The Pacers matched the offer last Friday, and asked Boston for a first-round draft pick in exchange for Sichting. The Celts offered two seconds and Indiana waited until yesterday to accept.
"This is what I thought was reasonable compensation all along," said Boston general manager Jan Volk. "So I'm not sure what happened."
The Pacers requested that the specifics of the two picks not be disclosed. However, one of them will not be Boston's 1986 second-rounder, which was shipped to the Knicks last season for Ray Williams.
Sichting, who did not report to the Pacers' camp, is scheduled to practice with the Celts today and could play in Boston's first exhibition at Boston Garden, against the Philadelphia 76ers, tomorrow night.
Like everyone else who's joined the Celtics lately, Sichting said it was nice to be playing for a winner.
"That's a whole new ballgame and it's what every player should play for," he said. "The opportunity to play for a contender is what I'm excited about."
Playing with fellow Hoosier Larry Bird also has some appeal.
"They have a lot of good players besides Bird," noted Sichting. "But Larry seems to make everyone he plays with a better player and he'll probably make me a better player."
The acquisition of Sichting means that (barring injuries or a mood shift by Sly Williams) there is only one job open on the roster. Rick Carlisle, Carlos Clark and David Thirdkill are the frontrunners for the final spot. Rookie hopefuls Ronnie Williams, Rick Lamb, Andre Battle and Tracy Mitchell face an uphill battle . . . Bird was white hot during yesterday's early scrimmage. He also unveiled the lefty jump hook he's been working on.
2.06.2009
Carlisle Recalls the 1985-86 Practices
“The ’86 team became a great team the instant we acquired Bill Walton,” Rick Carlisle said this week from his largely-unfurnished office overlooking the American Airlines Center practice court. “His presence allowed other role players like myself, Jerry Sichting, Scott Wedman, Greg Kite to play at a higher level. All of a sudden our practices became very competitive.”
A count was kept on the board in the locker room of the daily scrimmages between the second team (Green) and the starters (White). Despite the presence of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish on the White, the results were surprisingly even.
Read more.
A count was kept on the board in the locker room of the daily scrimmages between the second team (Green) and the starters (White). Despite the presence of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish on the White, the results were surprisingly even.
Read more.
1.16.2009
Wedman on Walton
"He's always getting us together," said Scott Wedman. "When Kevin (McHale) was being inducted into the Hall of Fame, I had a message on my machine that said, 'Scott, this is Bill Walton, your former teammate. Your former teammate, Kevin McHale, is going into the Hall of Fame on this date and this time, and I expect you to be there.'"
10.16.2008
Walton Wins Sixth Man Award
1985-86 Boston Celtics
Both Bill Walton, the recipient of the Starter-NBA Six Man award, and the Boston Celtics, who took a chance on him despite his medical history, are happy the way things worked out. On a scale of 1 to 10, being with the Celtics is a 25," said Walton, whose career has been marred by injuries since he anchored Portland's 1977 league championship team. Coming here was the best thing that could have happened to me."
Walton, a three-time all-American and two-time college basketball player of the year - who led UCLA to the NCAA championship in 1972 and 1973 - was acquired last September from the Los Angeles Clippers for Cedric Maxwell and Boston's first-round choice in the 1986 draft. He played in a career-high 80 games this season as the Celtics won the Atlantic Division title.
I feel rejuvenated," Walton explained. I wake up every day thinking about basketball." Walton, who missed three full seasons and most of a fourth with a recurring foot injury, played in all but two games for Boston.
Walton is the latest in a long line of sixth men for the Celtics. Among those who played that role as Boston won 15 NBA titles were Frank Ramsey and John Havlicek. Prior to Walton's arrival, the sixth man was Kevin McHale. But McHale - the award winner the last two seasons - became a starter at forward and responded by scoring 21.3 points per game.
Walton averaged 7.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.33 blocked shots per game for the Atlantic Division champions this season. The 12-year veteran received 32 votes from a nationwide panel of 78 media members.
Both Bill Walton, the recipient of the Starter-NBA Six Man award, and the Boston Celtics, who took a chance on him despite his medical history, are happy the way things worked out. On a scale of 1 to 10, being with the Celtics is a 25," said Walton, whose career has been marred by injuries since he anchored Portland's 1977 league championship team. Coming here was the best thing that could have happened to me."
Walton, a three-time all-American and two-time college basketball player of the year - who led UCLA to the NCAA championship in 1972 and 1973 - was acquired last September from the Los Angeles Clippers for Cedric Maxwell and Boston's first-round choice in the 1986 draft. He played in a career-high 80 games this season as the Celtics won the Atlantic Division title.
I feel rejuvenated," Walton explained. I wake up every day thinking about basketball." Walton, who missed three full seasons and most of a fourth with a recurring foot injury, played in all but two games for Boston.
Walton is the latest in a long line of sixth men for the Celtics. Among those who played that role as Boston won 15 NBA titles were Frank Ramsey and John Havlicek. Prior to Walton's arrival, the sixth man was Kevin McHale. But McHale - the award winner the last two seasons - became a starter at forward and responded by scoring 21.3 points per game.
Walton averaged 7.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.33 blocked shots per game for the Atlantic Division champions this season. The 12-year veteran received 32 votes from a nationwide panel of 78 media members.
7.23.2008
Bird, Walton Lead Cs to Game 4 Win
History, without a doubt, was the guardian angel of Game 4 of this championship slugfest. Youth would not go down without a struggle, but it was history that put the Celtics only a Havlicekian steal or a Nelsonian back-iron jumper away from their 16th banner.
Only eight years separate Bill Walton's prime from Larry Bird's, but their eras are as different as the methodical dominance of John Wooden's UCLA squads and the high-tech artistry of Michael Jordan. It was Walton and Bird, the MVPs of then and now, who provided the crucial baskets in the Celtics' 106 - 103 victory before a stunned throng of 16,016.
For most of the contest, the outcome had been in great doubt. 30-30 at the quarter. 64-63, Houston, at the half. 86-85, Boston, after three. But at 101-101, and less than three minutes left, the game took a sharp turn away from the unknown and headed straight for the familiarity of past NBA championships.
Walton hauled down a Mitchell Wiggins miss and passed to Bird at the right of the three-point circle, and the inevitable must have become horrifyingly clear to every Houston fan. The most celebrated three-pointer of Bird's career had occurred five years earlier in the same building, in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the 1981 finals, and it had embalmed the Rockets for burial.
History beckoned, and Bird acknowledged the call by swishing the shot and giving the Celtics a 104-101 lead at the 2:25 mark. "I could see it happening," Houston coach Bill Fitch said. "I hollered to somebody on the weak side to get over there. I knew what was happening."
Robert Reid unsuccessfully tried to counter Bird's effort with a three- pointer of his own, but Rodney McCray gathered in one of the Rockets' frightening 25 offensive rebounds and deposited the ball back in the hole with 2:02 remaining.
The final hoop of the night, 23 seconds later, supplied yet another history lesson, this one written for the Twin Towers. Sampson was just a 10th-grade office building and Olajuwon an adolescent soccer goalie when Walton's Portland Trail Blazers ruled the NBA in 1977.
Walton himself did not expect to be on the floor during crunch time. "Robert Parish played an outstanding game," he explained. "That's why I was surprised to get the nod in the last 3 1/2 minutes. The coach showed confidence in me, and I was glad to be in there."
After McCray's basket, Dennis Johnson worked the shot clock down to single digits and drove the right side of the lane. His shot hit only glass, as he went flying past, but Walton materialized amidst Sampson and Olajuwon to grab the rebound and nail a reverse layup. The Ghost of Greatness Past.
"Games like this are why I came to Boston," Walton said. "This is what I've been waiting nine years for. To sit in a chair like this (in an interview room) and talk about a game like this. This is the thrill of a lifetime."
Olajuwon, who was surprisingly ineffective in the closing stages, followed Walton's basket with a turnaround brick, but Bird turned the ball over, forcing the Celts into their static-cling defense. This time Kevin McHale took the honors; the lanky Minnesotan first notched a steal by knocking away a Wiggins pass to the low post and, after a missed Bird three-pointer, provided the clincher by rejecting a Sampson pass with 10 seconds left.
The Rockets' poor shooting performance (44 percent) would ordinarily have doomed them against a rebounding team like the Celtics, but Houston pounded the boards as never before in the series.
In the end, however, the game was in the safe hands of Celtic lore. "I'd played so lousy in the first half," Walton said. "Who'd ever have thought I would have made the final points of the game?" Hoop historians might ask who'd ever have thought that he wouldn't.
Only eight years separate Bill Walton's prime from Larry Bird's, but their eras are as different as the methodical dominance of John Wooden's UCLA squads and the high-tech artistry of Michael Jordan. It was Walton and Bird, the MVPs of then and now, who provided the crucial baskets in the Celtics' 106 - 103 victory before a stunned throng of 16,016.
For most of the contest, the outcome had been in great doubt. 30-30 at the quarter. 64-63, Houston, at the half. 86-85, Boston, after three. But at 101-101, and less than three minutes left, the game took a sharp turn away from the unknown and headed straight for the familiarity of past NBA championships.
Walton hauled down a Mitchell Wiggins miss and passed to Bird at the right of the three-point circle, and the inevitable must have become horrifyingly clear to every Houston fan. The most celebrated three-pointer of Bird's career had occurred five years earlier in the same building, in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the 1981 finals, and it had embalmed the Rockets for burial.
History beckoned, and Bird acknowledged the call by swishing the shot and giving the Celtics a 104-101 lead at the 2:25 mark. "I could see it happening," Houston coach Bill Fitch said. "I hollered to somebody on the weak side to get over there. I knew what was happening."
Robert Reid unsuccessfully tried to counter Bird's effort with a three- pointer of his own, but Rodney McCray gathered in one of the Rockets' frightening 25 offensive rebounds and deposited the ball back in the hole with 2:02 remaining.
The final hoop of the night, 23 seconds later, supplied yet another history lesson, this one written for the Twin Towers. Sampson was just a 10th-grade office building and Olajuwon an adolescent soccer goalie when Walton's Portland Trail Blazers ruled the NBA in 1977.
Walton himself did not expect to be on the floor during crunch time. "Robert Parish played an outstanding game," he explained. "That's why I was surprised to get the nod in the last 3 1/2 minutes. The coach showed confidence in me, and I was glad to be in there."
After McCray's basket, Dennis Johnson worked the shot clock down to single digits and drove the right side of the lane. His shot hit only glass, as he went flying past, but Walton materialized amidst Sampson and Olajuwon to grab the rebound and nail a reverse layup. The Ghost of Greatness Past.
"Games like this are why I came to Boston," Walton said. "This is what I've been waiting nine years for. To sit in a chair like this (in an interview room) and talk about a game like this. This is the thrill of a lifetime."
Olajuwon, who was surprisingly ineffective in the closing stages, followed Walton's basket with a turnaround brick, but Bird turned the ball over, forcing the Celts into their static-cling defense. This time Kevin McHale took the honors; the lanky Minnesotan first notched a steal by knocking away a Wiggins pass to the low post and, after a missed Bird three-pointer, provided the clincher by rejecting a Sampson pass with 10 seconds left.
The Rockets' poor shooting performance (44 percent) would ordinarily have doomed them against a rebounding team like the Celtics, but Houston pounded the boards as never before in the series.
In the end, however, the game was in the safe hands of Celtic lore. "I'd played so lousy in the first half," Walton said. "Who'd ever have thought I would have made the final points of the game?" Hoop historians might ask who'd ever have thought that he wouldn't.
6.26.2008
Wedman Finishes Game 3 at Guard
Thanks to Danny Ainge's third-quarter ejection, and the fact that for the third straight game Jerry Sichting wasn't having much of a night, Jones finished the game with Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Bird, Dennis Johnson and Scott Wedman on the floor. Wedman replaced Rick Carlisle with 5:08 to go and stayed out there for the rest of the game, coming up with a couple of big defensive plays as the Celtics were pitching a shutout during the final four minutes. "I put Scotty in because he's a veteran and a good post-up player," explained Jones. No one is going to stop Spud (Webb) anyway, so we put Scotty in. Unfortunately, they took Spud out." . . . Webb, incidentally, had 14 points, 6 assists and shot 6 for 7.
4.24.2008
Celtics Acquire Walton
The NBA's biggest trade of the off-season began in a most unlikely way, with job-hunter Bill Walton calling the Boston Celtics and asking if they had any openings.
After three months of negotiations involving the Celtics, Walton and the Clippers--his former team--the 7-foot redhead was dealt for forward Cedric Maxwell , a first-round draft pick and cash. If Walton stays injury-free, he will join Robert Parish to give Boston a pivot combination capable of stopping Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Walton and Maxwell were regarded as damaged goods--Walton with foot problems, Maxwell with a knee injury. But a healthy Walton had the most to offer--the potential for another Celtics' championship. And, after playing just 14 games over an injury-filled four-year period, the former UCLA star has increased his games each year from 33 to 55 to 67.
The acquisition of Walton excited Boston's Larry Bird, who attempted to pattern his game after Walton's.
"We just have to make sure we rest this guy, that we keep him from getting injured," said the league's MVP the past two years. "If we keep him healthy we can win a championship a lot easier than we could without him. He's the best passer I've ever seen in my life."
Maxwell, whose slow recovery from knee surgery was interpreted as laziness by Celtics officials, is believed healthy enough to be a major asset for the Clippers.
Los Angeles coach Don Chaney, a teammate of Maxwell's for three years in Boston, has faith that the Clippers received a quality player whose eight years in the league will be valuable to his club.
"He's taking a leadership role, that's already obvious to me." Chaney said.
The coach is not concerned that Maxwell, a defensive workhorse and MVP of the 1982 playoffs, was used infrequently by Boston the last half of the 1984-85 season.
"As long as Max is running, jumping and cutting, the rest will come," the Clipper coach said. "Players don't lose talent overnight."
The Celtics, unhappy over losing the NBA crown to Los Angeles, was the league's busiest team, making four trades. Along with the Walton-Maxwell deal, they traded guard Quinn Buckner to Indiana for a draft pick; acquired forward Sly Williams from Atlanta on a contingency deal; and picked up guard Jerry Sichting from Indiana for a pair of draft choices.
But the Lakers were not idle either, obtaining power forward Maurice Lucas from Phoenix for two draft selections.
The only other major trade was Washington's exchange of Bruise Brother Rick Mahorn and 6-10 reserve Mike Gibson for Detroit forward Dan Roundfield. Each team sought to strengthen a weakness, the Pistons needing power on the boards and the Bullets looking for good shooting at a forward spot.
The negatives are that Roundfield, 32, was injured much of last year, missing 26 games and averaging only 10.9 points a game in his only year with Detroit. Mahorn, 6-10, 240 pounds, averaged just 6.3 points per game with 608 rebounds as coach Gene Shue was disappointed with Mahorn's production.
Washington's other deal was to send nine-year forward Greg Ballard to Golden State for two draft picks.
Chicago shipped center Steve Johnson to San Antonio for forward Gene Banks. Johnson, a 6-10 fifth-year pro, averaged 10.0 points a game last year. The 6-7 Banks, also entering his fifth year, averaged 9.5 points.
On draft day, Cleveland and Chicago swung a four-player deal. The Bulls sent first-round pick Keith Lee, a 6-10 forward from Memphis State and guard Ennis Whately to Cleveland for rebounding forward Charles Oakley, a 6-9 product of Virginia Union, plus the Bulls' second-round draft choice.
After three months of negotiations involving the Celtics, Walton and the Clippers--his former team--the 7-foot redhead was dealt for forward Cedric Maxwell , a first-round draft pick and cash. If Walton stays injury-free, he will join Robert Parish to give Boston a pivot combination capable of stopping Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Walton and Maxwell were regarded as damaged goods--Walton with foot problems, Maxwell with a knee injury. But a healthy Walton had the most to offer--the potential for another Celtics' championship. And, after playing just 14 games over an injury-filled four-year period, the former UCLA star has increased his games each year from 33 to 55 to 67.
The acquisition of Walton excited Boston's Larry Bird, who attempted to pattern his game after Walton's.
"We just have to make sure we rest this guy, that we keep him from getting injured," said the league's MVP the past two years. "If we keep him healthy we can win a championship a lot easier than we could without him. He's the best passer I've ever seen in my life."
Maxwell, whose slow recovery from knee surgery was interpreted as laziness by Celtics officials, is believed healthy enough to be a major asset for the Clippers.
Los Angeles coach Don Chaney, a teammate of Maxwell's for three years in Boston, has faith that the Clippers received a quality player whose eight years in the league will be valuable to his club.
"He's taking a leadership role, that's already obvious to me." Chaney said.
The coach is not concerned that Maxwell, a defensive workhorse and MVP of the 1982 playoffs, was used infrequently by Boston the last half of the 1984-85 season.
"As long as Max is running, jumping and cutting, the rest will come," the Clipper coach said. "Players don't lose talent overnight."
The Celtics, unhappy over losing the NBA crown to Los Angeles, was the league's busiest team, making four trades. Along with the Walton-Maxwell deal, they traded guard Quinn Buckner to Indiana for a draft pick; acquired forward Sly Williams from Atlanta on a contingency deal; and picked up guard Jerry Sichting from Indiana for a pair of draft choices.
But the Lakers were not idle either, obtaining power forward Maurice Lucas from Phoenix for two draft selections.
The only other major trade was Washington's exchange of Bruise Brother Rick Mahorn and 6-10 reserve Mike Gibson for Detroit forward Dan Roundfield. Each team sought to strengthen a weakness, the Pistons needing power on the boards and the Bullets looking for good shooting at a forward spot.
The negatives are that Roundfield, 32, was injured much of last year, missing 26 games and averaging only 10.9 points a game in his only year with Detroit. Mahorn, 6-10, 240 pounds, averaged just 6.3 points per game with 608 rebounds as coach Gene Shue was disappointed with Mahorn's production.
Washington's other deal was to send nine-year forward Greg Ballard to Golden State for two draft picks.
Chicago shipped center Steve Johnson to San Antonio for forward Gene Banks. Johnson, a 6-10 fifth-year pro, averaged 10.0 points a game last year. The 6-7 Banks, also entering his fifth year, averaged 9.5 points.
On draft day, Cleveland and Chicago swung a four-player deal. The Bulls sent first-round pick Keith Lee, a 6-10 forward from Memphis State and guard Ennis Whately to Cleveland for rebounding forward Charles Oakley, a 6-9 product of Virginia Union, plus the Bulls' second-round draft choice.
4.09.2008
C's Win (66-15), Will Face Bulls in First Round
Green Improves to 66-15
To which any halfway reasonable Celtic fan could only say, "Hallelujah!" Based on what we've seen the last three times the Celtics have played the Cavs, a play-off series with them would have been as exciting as changing a tire.
Take last night -- please. The Celtics approached the game as if it were an intrasquad scrimmage in the middle of January, and they still dispatched the Cavs by a 117-104 score. Was it easy? Well, neither Larry Bird, Robert Parish nor Dennis Johnson played in the fourth quarter and the closest the Cavaliers could come was 11.
Chris Ford actually ran the team in Milwaukee Tuesday night, you may recall, and last night it was assistant coach Jimmy Rodgers' turn. (Ed. note: Can you imagine Bill Fitch doing this?) K.C. Jones says he'll be coaching tomorrow, however. "I get jealous too," he pointed out.
Suspense in this game consisted of the Cavaliers moving into a 4-0 lead on baskets by Fast Eddie Johnson and Keith Lee. Then Bird, again into his feeding mode (six assists in the first half), hit a cutting Johnson for a basket to initiate a Celtic run of 14 unanswered points, the first 10 of which would have made Uncle Arnold so very proud since they were put on the board by five people. Having built that 10-point (14-4) lead, the Celtics proceeded to sit on it for the remainder of the quarter. And half, for that matter.
"Just a typical Boston game," said Cavaliers coach Gene Littles. "If you watch Boston play 82 games, that's what you see. They play in spurts. Bird plays in spurts. Then they coast a little bit. Then they put on another little spurt and they put you away."
While the Celtics as a unit proved to be unfathomable for the Cavaliers' defense, three individuals in particular tormented them in various ways. The first was Kevin McHale, who shot a casual 12 for 14 en route to a 30-point evening. The second was Johnson (16), who displayed great shooting rhythm while sinking five consxecutive jumpers in one stretch. The third was Bill Walton, who spent the entire second quarter doing his finest imitation of an enraged mother eagle guarding her nest. Walton blocked four shots and was a key figure in one of those troublesome spurts Littles to which was referring.
This particular blast was in response to an uppity Cleveland incursion that had brought the visitors within four at 50-46 with 4:03 remaining in the half. Johnson started the run with a jump shot, but it was Walton who demoralized the Cavaliers with backhand blocks on successive Cleveland possessions, the first leading to a McHale driving fast-break scoop shot and the second to a pair of McHale post-up free throws. The initial run went as far as 10-0, and the entire scope of it was 16-5 in the final four minutes as the Celtics took a nice 66-51 lead into the locker room.
"With Walton, they'll be that much tougher than Philly or LA," analyzed Free (28). "He's playing like the Bill Walton of the Portland Trail Blazers. He's a big guy who can score, but he doesn't have to."
Boston then came out strong in period three, connecting on five of their first six shots to grab a 77-57 lead with 8:56 remaining in the third period on a running banker by Bird. At this point, the Celtics were shooting 63 percent and all the heavy lifting was done for the evening.
During the course of this languid affair, the fans got to see a few things of interest. If they paid attention, they would have seen an intriguing front line of Parish, Walton and Greg Kite out there for a four-minute stretch of the second quarter. (Pop Quiz: Who's the small forward?) And in the late stages, they got to see an energetic Kiddie Korps quarterbacked by Sam Vincent and inspired by David Thirdkill run off three beautiful fast breaks, culminating in a spectacular alley-oop from Vincent at half-court to a streaking Thirdkill, who smashed the ball home to the roar of the unprepared Garden crowd.
But the best news of all came later when it was ascertained that the Celtics will not have any more of those pointless exercises against the Cavaliers, whom they have played three times in the past 14 games and whom they have beaten by 30, 18 and a 13 that could have been 30.
4.08.2008
C's Win (65-14), as KC Starts Bench in Win over Bucks
Wedman, Walton, Sichting, Carlisle, and Kite Lead C's to 65th Win
K.C. Jones started Bill Walton, Scott Wedman, Greg Kite, Rick Carlisle and Jerry Sichting. Dennis Johnson didn't play a minute. Robert Parish played just 16. Did it matter? Nah. The Celtics won it anyway, 126-114.
The final score matched the high spread of the game, and was indicative of the Celtics' control of this passionless game. Coming from that crazy Spectrum on Sunday, the Celtics had to be pleased playing in this far more genteel atmosphere.
The Celtics led the Bucks at every checkpoint. With Walton (10 of his 22 points, 6 of his 12 rebounds and 4 of his 5 assists) dominating the game in the first period, the so-called "Green Team" (with some key end-of-the- period help from Bird) took a 33-29 lead. It was 63-59 at the half and 93-85 after three.
Milwaukee made one serious fourth-quarter challenge, closing to within two at 105-103 on two Sidney Moncrief free throws with 6:19 to go. But the Celtics ran off a 10-2 spurt, starting with a runner by Sam Vincent, who did some nice things during his 24 minutes of play, and concluding with an acrobatic banker by Kevin McHale (degree of difficulty, 2.2). The Celtics cruised home from there.
The game had that makeshift flavor from the moment K.C. sent out that second-string starting five. "I decided to do it after Sunday's game," the coach explained. "We've got the best record. We've got nothing left to play for. I thought it was a chance to rest the starters and give needed minutes to people like (David) Thirdkill and (Sam) Vincent."
There were a lot of "mosts," "second-mosts" and "best-sinces" racked up by the irregulars. It was Carlisle's most minutes of the season (28). It was Thirdkill's most minutes of the season (23). It was Vincent's second-most minutes of the season. It was Walton's Celtic high (22). It was the most points for Sichting (15) since he scored 17 against New Jersey back on Jan. 13.
The only sub who didn't get to share in the fun was Kite, who was ejected by referee Lee Jones with 2:37 in the opening period, but not before he fulfilled the fantasies of scores of players, coaches, general managers, owners, ball boys, trainers, equipment managers, fans and writers by firing a basketball at the unfathomable Mr. Jones.
Kite did so from a sitting position, having just engaged in a rebound battle and having been assessed a rebounding foul. Not long before he had cleanly blocked a Terry Cummings layup, only to have Jones call a foul from 5 feet beyond the three-point circle. Apparently, he simply could not take Jones any longer, for when the foul call was made, the normally mild-mannered Kite threw the ball at him. Jones then threw him out.
This turned out to be an unfortunate occurrence for the Bucks, because it meant Parish wasn't going to have the night off after all. K.C. did wait until the third quarter before using the Chief, but the big man made his presence felt with 10 powerful points as the Celtics expanded the four-point halftime lead to 10 on five occasions. "Parish's play was as important as anything else in this game," said Don Nelson, who did a lot of exhibition-like substituting himself.
Now that's at least a slight exaggeration, because the most significant figure after the first period was Larry Bird, who spent a very active 31 minutes on the floor. Bird, who admitted Sunday that he really wasn't into that game the way he should have been, was into this one from the moment he stepped onto the floor with 3:20 remaining in the opening period.
It was Bird's left-handed give-and-go three-point play from Walton that created the 12th, and final, lead change of the first period (29-28), and that basket, with 1:37 left, served as a fitting prelude to the spectacular second quarter he laid on the overmatched Bucks.
Bird's second-quarter display included deep jumpers, rugged offensive rebounds (he would finish with a season-high 8), a truly amazing top-speed lefty drive from the right baseline on the break and, finally, a beautiful lefty tip-in of his own running hook miss. By halftime, he had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. By the time the game was over, he had collected 26 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists, plus the grudging admiration of the Milwaukee fans.
So, with the first-period clinic put on by Walton, the third-period play of Parish, the steady inside brilliance of Kevin McHale (19) and the all-around grace of Bird, the fans wound up getting something approximating their money's worth.
"We match up with every other team in the league, but not with Boston," said Nelson. Indeed, the Celtics finished the season with a 5-0 record against Milwaukee, three of them in this building. And they did this one with one hand tied behind their metaphorical back.
K.C. Jones started Bill Walton, Scott Wedman, Greg Kite, Rick Carlisle and Jerry Sichting. Dennis Johnson didn't play a minute. Robert Parish played just 16. Did it matter? Nah. The Celtics won it anyway, 126-114.
The final score matched the high spread of the game, and was indicative of the Celtics' control of this passionless game. Coming from that crazy Spectrum on Sunday, the Celtics had to be pleased playing in this far more genteel atmosphere.
The Celtics led the Bucks at every checkpoint. With Walton (10 of his 22 points, 6 of his 12 rebounds and 4 of his 5 assists) dominating the game in the first period, the so-called "Green Team" (with some key end-of-the- period help from Bird) took a 33-29 lead. It was 63-59 at the half and 93-85 after three.
Milwaukee made one serious fourth-quarter challenge, closing to within two at 105-103 on two Sidney Moncrief free throws with 6:19 to go. But the Celtics ran off a 10-2 spurt, starting with a runner by Sam Vincent, who did some nice things during his 24 minutes of play, and concluding with an acrobatic banker by Kevin McHale (degree of difficulty, 2.2). The Celtics cruised home from there.
The game had that makeshift flavor from the moment K.C. sent out that second-string starting five. "I decided to do it after Sunday's game," the coach explained. "We've got the best record. We've got nothing left to play for. I thought it was a chance to rest the starters and give needed minutes to people like (David) Thirdkill and (Sam) Vincent."
There were a lot of "mosts," "second-mosts" and "best-sinces" racked up by the irregulars. It was Carlisle's most minutes of the season (28). It was Thirdkill's most minutes of the season (23). It was Vincent's second-most minutes of the season. It was Walton's Celtic high (22). It was the most points for Sichting (15) since he scored 17 against New Jersey back on Jan. 13.
The only sub who didn't get to share in the fun was Kite, who was ejected by referee Lee Jones with 2:37 in the opening period, but not before he fulfilled the fantasies of scores of players, coaches, general managers, owners, ball boys, trainers, equipment managers, fans and writers by firing a basketball at the unfathomable Mr. Jones.
Kite did so from a sitting position, having just engaged in a rebound battle and having been assessed a rebounding foul. Not long before he had cleanly blocked a Terry Cummings layup, only to have Jones call a foul from 5 feet beyond the three-point circle. Apparently, he simply could not take Jones any longer, for when the foul call was made, the normally mild-mannered Kite threw the ball at him. Jones then threw him out.
This turned out to be an unfortunate occurrence for the Bucks, because it meant Parish wasn't going to have the night off after all. K.C. did wait until the third quarter before using the Chief, but the big man made his presence felt with 10 powerful points as the Celtics expanded the four-point halftime lead to 10 on five occasions. "Parish's play was as important as anything else in this game," said Don Nelson, who did a lot of exhibition-like substituting himself.
Now that's at least a slight exaggeration, because the most significant figure after the first period was Larry Bird, who spent a very active 31 minutes on the floor. Bird, who admitted Sunday that he really wasn't into that game the way he should have been, was into this one from the moment he stepped onto the floor with 3:20 remaining in the opening period.
It was Bird's left-handed give-and-go three-point play from Walton that created the 12th, and final, lead change of the first period (29-28), and that basket, with 1:37 left, served as a fitting prelude to the spectacular second quarter he laid on the overmatched Bucks.
Bird's second-quarter display included deep jumpers, rugged offensive rebounds (he would finish with a season-high 8), a truly amazing top-speed lefty drive from the right baseline on the break and, finally, a beautiful lefty tip-in of his own running hook miss. By halftime, he had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. By the time the game was over, he had collected 26 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists, plus the grudging admiration of the Milwaukee fans.
So, with the first-period clinic put on by Walton, the third-period play of Parish, the steady inside brilliance of Kevin McHale (19) and the all-around grace of Bird, the fans wound up getting something approximating their money's worth.
"We match up with every other team in the league, but not with Boston," said Nelson. Indeed, the Celtics finished the season with a 5-0 record against Milwaukee, three of them in this building. And they did this one with one hand tied behind their metaphorical back.
4.02.2008
1986 Cs Win 12th in a Row, Move to 62-13
It wasn't the breathtaking kind of road showcase such as the dazzlers the Celtics came up with last month in Texas, but if someone among the Coliseum gathering of 17,495 was really into his or her basketball, said aficionado could have dug through the rubble of last night's basically uninspiring 123-105 dismissal of the Cavaliers and found a valuable artifact.
What really mattered were the final six minutes of the third period, a stretch when the Celtics asserted themselves defensively and correspondingly slipped into a beautiful offensive rhythm that demoralized the Cavaliers. And it all began with a play that could simply not be taught at any summer clinic. The only prerequisite for making this play was to be a great athlete.
The situation: Boston 74, Cleveland 69. The Celtics have gone up by seven twice after leading by two at the half (61-59), but nothing definitive has been established, other than to say that when World B. Free is hot (and 24 first-half points which include four three-pointers in four attempts is certifiably hot), the only thing that can cool him off is a fire hose.
So it is the Celtics by five when Larry Bird deflects an entry pass to Keith Lee in the general direction of the Boston bench. Larry tries to save the ball, but he is cut off by Lee. With neither Bird nor Lee able to get to the ball, it is heading out of bounds and will still belong to Cleveland, right?
Wrong. Somehow, Danny Ainge, who isn't remotely connected to the play, is there. He leaps up and makes a sensational save back to Bird. Larry feeds ahead to Dennis Johnson, who draws two fast-break free throws at the other end. The Celtics are now officially interested in playing basketball.
Honestly. That's where the game, as opposed to the fooling around, started. Everyone got into it. Robert Parish first threw in a tough in-your-face turnaround (78-71) and then made a great steal and outlet to DJ, who completed the parlay with a hip-shaking hanger for two more (80-71). Bird faked Lee into Xenia and then dropped off a perfect jump pass to a rolling Parish for a layup (82-73). Bill Walton ambled into the middle for a lefty hooking three- pointer (87-75). Jerry Sichting sliced off Walton for a textbook corner jumper (91-75). Walton salvaged a broken play by spotting a cutting Parish and hitting him in stride for a nice little turnarond (93-77). The Cavs looked confused and totally lost, capping off a hopeless five minutes of play by failing to get off a shot before the period ended -- after having 21 seconds to do so.
Long forgotten was the excitement of the 61-59 halftime situation, or the 70-67 state of affairs. Even more forgotten was the inspired first-half play of Free, without whose long-range missiles the opening two quarters would have been unbearably dull.
Yes, Free was a complete sideshow in that first half, scoring 13 points in the opening period (including two three-point shots and a three-point coast- to-coast drive) and adding 11 more in the second quarter, the highlight being a three-pointer from just this side of Akron that tied the game for the ninth and final time at 59-59 with 25 seconds remaining in the half.
In order to win, the Celtics had to do something to counteract Free, who was coming off a 43-point game against Atlanta. Not that every member of their party was worried. "He was hitting a lot of shots in the first half," said Bird, "but that didn't concern us. We knew DJ could contain him."
The major problem with Free in the first half was that he was simply being left alone. "There was a lot of switching going on in the first half," explained Ainge. "Big men were picking him up and then leaving him when he passed off the ball. He'd get it back and he'd be open. In the second half, we didn't switch as much. DJ stayed with him."
The Celtics, meanwhile, owed their first-half offensive production to the post-up proclivities of Kevin McHale (11 for 11 from the line), the make-it- up-as-you-go-along offense of Johnson (21 points, despite 7-for-21 shooting) and the superb off-the-bench outside shooting of Sichting (5 for 7) and Scott Wedman (3 for 6). Throw in another brilliant effort by Walton (12 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks), and the Celtics were able to survive a quiet night from Bird (16).
But the spark for the real push came from Ainge. "That's basketball," said K.C. Jones. "To have that kind of alertness, to run over there just in case, is very nice. You don't see that kind of anticipation too often."
What really mattered were the final six minutes of the third period, a stretch when the Celtics asserted themselves defensively and correspondingly slipped into a beautiful offensive rhythm that demoralized the Cavaliers. And it all began with a play that could simply not be taught at any summer clinic. The only prerequisite for making this play was to be a great athlete.
The situation: Boston 74, Cleveland 69. The Celtics have gone up by seven twice after leading by two at the half (61-59), but nothing definitive has been established, other than to say that when World B. Free is hot (and 24 first-half points which include four three-pointers in four attempts is certifiably hot), the only thing that can cool him off is a fire hose.
So it is the Celtics by five when Larry Bird deflects an entry pass to Keith Lee in the general direction of the Boston bench. Larry tries to save the ball, but he is cut off by Lee. With neither Bird nor Lee able to get to the ball, it is heading out of bounds and will still belong to Cleveland, right?
Wrong. Somehow, Danny Ainge, who isn't remotely connected to the play, is there. He leaps up and makes a sensational save back to Bird. Larry feeds ahead to Dennis Johnson, who draws two fast-break free throws at the other end. The Celtics are now officially interested in playing basketball.
Honestly. That's where the game, as opposed to the fooling around, started. Everyone got into it. Robert Parish first threw in a tough in-your-face turnaround (78-71) and then made a great steal and outlet to DJ, who completed the parlay with a hip-shaking hanger for two more (80-71). Bird faked Lee into Xenia and then dropped off a perfect jump pass to a rolling Parish for a layup (82-73). Bill Walton ambled into the middle for a lefty hooking three- pointer (87-75). Jerry Sichting sliced off Walton for a textbook corner jumper (91-75). Walton salvaged a broken play by spotting a cutting Parish and hitting him in stride for a nice little turnarond (93-77). The Cavs looked confused and totally lost, capping off a hopeless five minutes of play by failing to get off a shot before the period ended -- after having 21 seconds to do so.
Long forgotten was the excitement of the 61-59 halftime situation, or the 70-67 state of affairs. Even more forgotten was the inspired first-half play of Free, without whose long-range missiles the opening two quarters would have been unbearably dull.
Yes, Free was a complete sideshow in that first half, scoring 13 points in the opening period (including two three-point shots and a three-point coast- to-coast drive) and adding 11 more in the second quarter, the highlight being a three-pointer from just this side of Akron that tied the game for the ninth and final time at 59-59 with 25 seconds remaining in the half.
In order to win, the Celtics had to do something to counteract Free, who was coming off a 43-point game against Atlanta. Not that every member of their party was worried. "He was hitting a lot of shots in the first half," said Bird, "but that didn't concern us. We knew DJ could contain him."
The major problem with Free in the first half was that he was simply being left alone. "There was a lot of switching going on in the first half," explained Ainge. "Big men were picking him up and then leaving him when he passed off the ball. He'd get it back and he'd be open. In the second half, we didn't switch as much. DJ stayed with him."
The Celtics, meanwhile, owed their first-half offensive production to the post-up proclivities of Kevin McHale (11 for 11 from the line), the make-it- up-as-you-go-along offense of Johnson (21 points, despite 7-for-21 shooting) and the superb off-the-bench outside shooting of Sichting (5 for 7) and Scott Wedman (3 for 6). Throw in another brilliant effort by Walton (12 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks), and the Celtics were able to survive a quiet night from Bird (16).
But the spark for the real push came from Ainge. "That's basketball," said K.C. Jones. "To have that kind of alertness, to run over there just in case, is very nice. You don't see that kind of anticipation too often."
4.01.2008
Walton Dominates in 60th Win for 86 Cs
1986 Celtics Basketball--Season of the Superlative
Brace yourself for another borderline hyperbolic (but only borderline) declaration.
Are you ready?
All right, then:
What other team could replace a six-time All-Star center with a man we shall shamelessly refer to as The Greatest Backup Center In The Recorded History of Mankind? The answer, of course, is none. There remains but one Bill Walton to a century, and the Celtics have him.
As the Celtics rolled to consecutive triumph No. 10, season triumph No. 60, consecutive home-court triumph No. 26, consecutive Boston Garden triumph No. 23 and consecutive home blowout of a bottom-rung Eastern Conference play-off contender No. 4, Walton simply took over last night's game as if it were a Helix High intrasquad scrimmage, circa 1970.
You can say without fear of contradiction from any among the 255th consecutive Garden sellout crowd of 14,890 that Walton decided the game before it was 20 seconds old. He got the tap from Manute Bol, ran downcourt, set up shop on the lower left box, rolled into the lane, took a pass from Dennis Johnson, stuck in a jump hook . . . and after that, you could fill in the blanks. A little less than two hours later, the Celtics had completed a 116-97 destruction of the Washington Bullets, but if you had checked out midway through the first quarter, you wouldn't have missed anything essential. This is not to say you wouldn't have missed a few nice plays, but you wouldn't have missed anything crucial to determining the outcome. Bill Walton took care of that very, very quickly.
In case you missed it, Walton received his first Boston start because Robert Parish was nursing a back injury. The Big Redhead certainly didn't squander his opportunity, scoring a season-high 20 points, hauling in 12 rebounds and making more of those 11 O'Clock News highlight plays that have brightened this Celtic season. "He is one of the greatest players ever when healthy," said Washington coach Kevin Loughery, "and right now he's as healthy as he's been in a long time. He put on a show tonight, and it looks like he really enjoys playing again."
By the time K.C. Jones gave Walton his first rest at the 1:42 mark of the first period, he already had 13 points (a figure he had exceeded only eight times this season) and six rebounds. He had driven Bol from the game, the big man being simply overmatched defensively and on the boards. The Celtics, meanwhile, had led by such early scores as 7-0, 15-8 and 26-14 (this on the first of two Danny Ainge three-pointers), and these early scores were declarations of superiority, not suggestions of possible strength.
There was neither a tie nor a lead change in the game as the Celtics led comfortably at the checkpoints (35-20, 61-48 and 89-75) before stretching the advantage to as many as 25 (110-85 on a Sam Vincent jumper with 4:35 left).
Walton's support came from the such people as Larry Bird (27, despite a rare sub-.500 shooting night at 11 for 23), Johnson (12 points, 9 assists), Kevin McHale (a casual 14) and Jerry Sichting, who rebounded from a scoreless game against Milwaukee to do his jump-shooting thing (5 for 6, 11 points).
Against this might, the Bullets offered only the long-range bombing of Jeff Malone (18) and the surprising scrap of veteran Dan Roundfield (17 points, 9 rebounds). They proved to be no different than most recent Celtics opponents, in that they were totally incapable of rotating well enough defensively out of a double team to disrupt Boston's celebrated passing game. And they were lucky, because the Celtics handled the ball very sloppily on the fast break, making a majority of their 13 turnovers in the open floor.
"They (the Celtics) are an excellent team," said Loughery. "They're also very entertaining."
And K.C. showed his own theatrical sense, responding to a dazzling fourth- period behind-the-back bounce pass from Walton to Scott Wedman (who made the layup) by immediately sending in Greg Kite so that Walton could take a proper bow while the crowd was still aflutter.
Brace yourself for another borderline hyperbolic (but only borderline) declaration.
Are you ready?
All right, then:
What other team could replace a six-time All-Star center with a man we shall shamelessly refer to as The Greatest Backup Center In The Recorded History of Mankind? The answer, of course, is none. There remains but one Bill Walton to a century, and the Celtics have him.
As the Celtics rolled to consecutive triumph No. 10, season triumph No. 60, consecutive home-court triumph No. 26, consecutive Boston Garden triumph No. 23 and consecutive home blowout of a bottom-rung Eastern Conference play-off contender No. 4, Walton simply took over last night's game as if it were a Helix High intrasquad scrimmage, circa 1970.
You can say without fear of contradiction from any among the 255th consecutive Garden sellout crowd of 14,890 that Walton decided the game before it was 20 seconds old. He got the tap from Manute Bol, ran downcourt, set up shop on the lower left box, rolled into the lane, took a pass from Dennis Johnson, stuck in a jump hook . . . and after that, you could fill in the blanks. A little less than two hours later, the Celtics had completed a 116-97 destruction of the Washington Bullets, but if you had checked out midway through the first quarter, you wouldn't have missed anything essential. This is not to say you wouldn't have missed a few nice plays, but you wouldn't have missed anything crucial to determining the outcome. Bill Walton took care of that very, very quickly.
In case you missed it, Walton received his first Boston start because Robert Parish was nursing a back injury. The Big Redhead certainly didn't squander his opportunity, scoring a season-high 20 points, hauling in 12 rebounds and making more of those 11 O'Clock News highlight plays that have brightened this Celtic season. "He is one of the greatest players ever when healthy," said Washington coach Kevin Loughery, "and right now he's as healthy as he's been in a long time. He put on a show tonight, and it looks like he really enjoys playing again."
By the time K.C. Jones gave Walton his first rest at the 1:42 mark of the first period, he already had 13 points (a figure he had exceeded only eight times this season) and six rebounds. He had driven Bol from the game, the big man being simply overmatched defensively and on the boards. The Celtics, meanwhile, had led by such early scores as 7-0, 15-8 and 26-14 (this on the first of two Danny Ainge three-pointers), and these early scores were declarations of superiority, not suggestions of possible strength.
There was neither a tie nor a lead change in the game as the Celtics led comfortably at the checkpoints (35-20, 61-48 and 89-75) before stretching the advantage to as many as 25 (110-85 on a Sam Vincent jumper with 4:35 left).
Walton's support came from the such people as Larry Bird (27, despite a rare sub-.500 shooting night at 11 for 23), Johnson (12 points, 9 assists), Kevin McHale (a casual 14) and Jerry Sichting, who rebounded from a scoreless game against Milwaukee to do his jump-shooting thing (5 for 6, 11 points).
Against this might, the Bullets offered only the long-range bombing of Jeff Malone (18) and the surprising scrap of veteran Dan Roundfield (17 points, 9 rebounds). They proved to be no different than most recent Celtics opponents, in that they were totally incapable of rotating well enough defensively out of a double team to disrupt Boston's celebrated passing game. And they were lucky, because the Celtics handled the ball very sloppily on the fast break, making a majority of their 13 turnovers in the open floor.
"They (the Celtics) are an excellent team," said Loughery. "They're also very entertaining."
And K.C. showed his own theatrical sense, responding to a dazzling fourth- period behind-the-back bounce pass from Walton to Scott Wedman (who made the layup) by immediately sending in Greg Kite so that Walton could take a proper bow while the crowd was still aflutter.
1986 Cs Defense Underrated
The Celtics have won 10 straight, and also have won 26 straight at home, which includes both Boston Garden (23) and the Hartford Civic Center (3). A victory today would tie a one-season home-court record for conescutive victories established by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1949-50, when the foul lane was 6 feet wide, George Mikan was the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of basketball, the referees were afraid of half the owners and all the road crowds, Uncle Miltie was the new Mr. Television and the schedule called for occasional stops at such exotic ports of call as Waterloo, Iowa, and Sheboygan, Wis.
In order for New Jersey (36-39, currently No. 6 in the Eastern Conference play-off pecking order, a half-game ahead of Washington) to do what no one has done here since Portland stunned the Celtics back on Dec. 6 -- Boston's lone home loss in 36 games -- the Nets will have to overcome the league's stingiest defense. While the obvious public focus has been on the heroics of Larry Bird, the continued brilliance of Dennis Johnson and the storybook play of Bill Walton, the Celtics have quietly become a monster on defense, and this, of course, pleases the coach greatly. After all, that No. 25 isn't hanging from the ceiling because he was the Max Zaslofsky or Iceman of his generation.
"We have really emphasized defense this year," says K.C. Jones, "even more than in other years. And I'd say that since the Sacramento game (Feb. 11), we have played excellent defense. You'll recall that we were way down in that game and we got back with great defense to where Larry was on the line with a chance to tie the game. We should have won that game, and from then on, in LA, Portland, Seattle and the rest of that road trip, we played strong defense. Defense was our carrier on that trip."
Defense has always been the hallmark of truly great teams, and the 1985-86 Celtics are starting to be thought of as just that."I thought our defense was incredibly tough when I first came here," says Walton. "With great athletes like Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson and Larry Bird out front, and with men like Robert Parish and Kevin McHale back there to swat away shots, we certainly have one of the better team defenses in the league." Walton failed to mention another big factor in Boston's defensive success, since his own contributions, as everyone knows, rival, or exceed, those of any center in the league.
The numbers bear out these words of praise. The latest NBA statistics reveal that the Celtics are tied with Milwaukee for first place in the only team defensive stat that really means anything. Both the Celtics and Bucks have restricted opponents to .463 shooting from the floor.
But a closer look at the Celtics' defensive performance over the past six weeks reveals a growing defensive expertise heading into the play-offs. In the 20 games following the West Coast trip (Feb. 23 through Friday night), the Celtics have limited opponents to .454 shooting from the floor. Only four opponents have been able to shoot 50 percent or better from the floor in those games. The Celtics, meanwhile, have shot better than 50 percent 16 times.
Here's another interesting stat. A clear dividing line between a respectable offensive game and an inadequate one is 40 team field goals made. In 73 games this season, Boston opponents have failed to reach 40 field goals 23 times. The Celtics have been under that number 10 times. However, in the 20 games under discussion here, the opponents have failed to reach 40 field goals six times. The Celtics have had 40 or more field goals in every one of those games.
Keep in mind also that the total defensive stats do not reveal the effect of garbage time, when points come cheap for both teams. The Celtics have eliminated their 13 post-Coast home opponents by an average of 13 points a game. Most recent Celtics games have been decided sometime between the anthem belting of Guy Rotondo and the first required timeout. It would be interesting to know what the rival shooting percentages have been against Boston with the fourth period thrown out.
In order for New Jersey (36-39, currently No. 6 in the Eastern Conference play-off pecking order, a half-game ahead of Washington) to do what no one has done here since Portland stunned the Celtics back on Dec. 6 -- Boston's lone home loss in 36 games -- the Nets will have to overcome the league's stingiest defense. While the obvious public focus has been on the heroics of Larry Bird, the continued brilliance of Dennis Johnson and the storybook play of Bill Walton, the Celtics have quietly become a monster on defense, and this, of course, pleases the coach greatly. After all, that No. 25 isn't hanging from the ceiling because he was the Max Zaslofsky or Iceman of his generation.
"We have really emphasized defense this year," says K.C. Jones, "even more than in other years. And I'd say that since the Sacramento game (Feb. 11), we have played excellent defense. You'll recall that we were way down in that game and we got back with great defense to where Larry was on the line with a chance to tie the game. We should have won that game, and from then on, in LA, Portland, Seattle and the rest of that road trip, we played strong defense. Defense was our carrier on that trip."
Defense has always been the hallmark of truly great teams, and the 1985-86 Celtics are starting to be thought of as just that."I thought our defense was incredibly tough when I first came here," says Walton. "With great athletes like Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson and Larry Bird out front, and with men like Robert Parish and Kevin McHale back there to swat away shots, we certainly have one of the better team defenses in the league." Walton failed to mention another big factor in Boston's defensive success, since his own contributions, as everyone knows, rival, or exceed, those of any center in the league.
The numbers bear out these words of praise. The latest NBA statistics reveal that the Celtics are tied with Milwaukee for first place in the only team defensive stat that really means anything. Both the Celtics and Bucks have restricted opponents to .463 shooting from the floor.
But a closer look at the Celtics' defensive performance over the past six weeks reveals a growing defensive expertise heading into the play-offs. In the 20 games following the West Coast trip (Feb. 23 through Friday night), the Celtics have limited opponents to .454 shooting from the floor. Only four opponents have been able to shoot 50 percent or better from the floor in those games. The Celtics, meanwhile, have shot better than 50 percent 16 times.
Here's another interesting stat. A clear dividing line between a respectable offensive game and an inadequate one is 40 team field goals made. In 73 games this season, Boston opponents have failed to reach 40 field goals 23 times. The Celtics have been under that number 10 times. However, in the 20 games under discussion here, the opponents have failed to reach 40 field goals six times. The Celtics have had 40 or more field goals in every one of those games.
Keep in mind also that the total defensive stats do not reveal the effect of garbage time, when points come cheap for both teams. The Celtics have eliminated their 13 post-Coast home opponents by an average of 13 points a game. Most recent Celtics games have been decided sometime between the anthem belting of Guy Rotondo and the first required timeout. It would be interesting to know what the rival shooting percentages have been against Boston with the fourth period thrown out.
Wedman Stars in Win as '86 Cs Move to 58-13
Winning and losing a basketball game quickly becomes secondary when an extraordinary 7-foot-4-inch athlete is carried off the court on a stretcher without being able to move his lower extremities.
Yes, the Celtics vanquished the Houston Rockets, 114-107, at the Garden last night. And wasn't Scott Wedman wonderful, firing up those graceful jumpers to the tune of 9 for 10 and 11 valuable fourth-quarter points? And, yup, there's no denying that Larry Bird was typically brilliant with his 36 points and general savoir faire. But for many in the capacity Garden crowd of 14,890, the fun went out of this one with 2:15 remaining in the first half when Sampson went up for a offensive rebound and then hit the floor with his back and head.
After being attended by Celtics' team physician Thomas Silva and the respective trainers, Sampson was carried off in the same position in which he had landed, which was on his left side. He was then taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was given a neurological examination (negative) and X-rayed for a possible back fracture. All the crowd knew was that a man playing a sensational game had sustained what could have been a very serious injury, and it would have been quite all right with the majority of customers had the game been called off and everyone sent home.
But the show always goes on, and thus did the Rockets respond to the loss of Sampson and his statistical contribution (17 points, 5 rebounds) by playing the Celtics evenly until there was just over seven minutes left in the game. And while nothing comparably bad could happen to them, there were still legitimate misfortunes to come.
When Sampson went up for the fateful offensive rebound, the Rockets were in front by a 53-51 score, having led from 2-0 and repelled a potent first- quarter Boston run of 10-2 that tied the game at 22. It's true that at the time of the Sampson injury the Celtics were making a run (they had trailed by 8 at 46-38), but it's also true that Sampson had been the best player on the floor up to that time, in synch with an unstoppable, Kareem-like hook.
Sampson and Akeem Olajuwon had combined to bother Boston's inside game, triggering a searing fast break that accounted for 17 of Houston's points as the visitors moved to a 36-27 one-quarter lead. Suffice to say that until Sampson fell down, the Rockets had every reason to think it was going to be their night.
Anyway, give the Celtics credit for recognizing their opportunity. A lefty follow-up by Wedman (19 in his best game since Kevin McHale's return) gave the Green their first lead of the game at 54-53, and a disputed buzzer-beating follow-up by Danny Ainge (the Celts had a 16-4 first-half edge in second- chance points) sent them into the locker room up by four at 61-57.
The third period was interesting, for, despite having lost Sampson, despite losing Rodney McCray on personals with 3:09 left in the quarter, despite major foul trouble on the part of the noble Olajuwon (fifth personal with 9:24 left), despite being hit with a blast of 12 Bird points (6 coming in the span of nine seconds on a three-point shot and a turnover-fueled three-point play) and despite this whole business taking place on the road, they emerged from the period down by just one at 88-87.
In another place and time their gritty effort might have earned a "W." But the Celtics have a lot of offensive options, and so it was that Wedman ruined the Rockets. Among his 11 points and five fourth-quarter baskets (in five attempts) were a go-ahead three-pointer (93-91) and a 20-footer that broke the game's final tie (99-97). Throw in a big hoop by Ainge (a 20-foot pull-up making it 103-97 after a Dennis Johnson steal) and a Bird crucnh-time post-up clinic and the undermanned Rockets, who shot a frosty 40 percent in the second half (19 for 47), just couldn't keep pace.
If this were 1930s Hollywood, the Rockets would have won one for the Big Guy. Instead, it's the real world of the 1980s and when they left the Garden they had a lot more to think about than a lost ball game.
Yes, the Celtics vanquished the Houston Rockets, 114-107, at the Garden last night. And wasn't Scott Wedman wonderful, firing up those graceful jumpers to the tune of 9 for 10 and 11 valuable fourth-quarter points? And, yup, there's no denying that Larry Bird was typically brilliant with his 36 points and general savoir faire. But for many in the capacity Garden crowd of 14,890, the fun went out of this one with 2:15 remaining in the first half when Sampson went up for a offensive rebound and then hit the floor with his back and head.
After being attended by Celtics' team physician Thomas Silva and the respective trainers, Sampson was carried off in the same position in which he had landed, which was on his left side. He was then taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was given a neurological examination (negative) and X-rayed for a possible back fracture. All the crowd knew was that a man playing a sensational game had sustained what could have been a very serious injury, and it would have been quite all right with the majority of customers had the game been called off and everyone sent home.
But the show always goes on, and thus did the Rockets respond to the loss of Sampson and his statistical contribution (17 points, 5 rebounds) by playing the Celtics evenly until there was just over seven minutes left in the game. And while nothing comparably bad could happen to them, there were still legitimate misfortunes to come.
When Sampson went up for the fateful offensive rebound, the Rockets were in front by a 53-51 score, having led from 2-0 and repelled a potent first- quarter Boston run of 10-2 that tied the game at 22. It's true that at the time of the Sampson injury the Celtics were making a run (they had trailed by 8 at 46-38), but it's also true that Sampson had been the best player on the floor up to that time, in synch with an unstoppable, Kareem-like hook.
Sampson and Akeem Olajuwon had combined to bother Boston's inside game, triggering a searing fast break that accounted for 17 of Houston's points as the visitors moved to a 36-27 one-quarter lead. Suffice to say that until Sampson fell down, the Rockets had every reason to think it was going to be their night.
Anyway, give the Celtics credit for recognizing their opportunity. A lefty follow-up by Wedman (19 in his best game since Kevin McHale's return) gave the Green their first lead of the game at 54-53, and a disputed buzzer-beating follow-up by Danny Ainge (the Celts had a 16-4 first-half edge in second- chance points) sent them into the locker room up by four at 61-57.
The third period was interesting, for, despite having lost Sampson, despite losing Rodney McCray on personals with 3:09 left in the quarter, despite major foul trouble on the part of the noble Olajuwon (fifth personal with 9:24 left), despite being hit with a blast of 12 Bird points (6 coming in the span of nine seconds on a three-point shot and a turnover-fueled three-point play) and despite this whole business taking place on the road, they emerged from the period down by just one at 88-87.
In another place and time their gritty effort might have earned a "W." But the Celtics have a lot of offensive options, and so it was that Wedman ruined the Rockets. Among his 11 points and five fourth-quarter baskets (in five attempts) were a go-ahead three-pointer (93-91) and a 20-footer that broke the game's final tie (99-97). Throw in a big hoop by Ainge (a 20-foot pull-up making it 103-97 after a Dennis Johnson steal) and a Bird crucnh-time post-up clinic and the undermanned Rockets, who shot a frosty 40 percent in the second half (19 for 47), just couldn't keep pace.
If this were 1930s Hollywood, the Rockets would have won one for the Big Guy. Instead, it's the real world of the 1980s and when they left the Garden they had a lot more to think about than a lost ball game.
3.25.2008
Celtics Get Maxwell for Walton
August 31, 1985
WALTON DEAL STILL ON TARGET CLIPPERS WILL GET MAXWELL
Bill Walton passed a physical in Boston yesterday, but the Celtics were unable to announce that Walton had been acquired for Cedric Maxwell because of a disagreement between Walton and the Clippers regarding deferred compensation. However, Clipper officials said last night that an agreement has been reached on the deferred compensation issue.
It was expected that the trade would be officially announced late today.
"Everything is on target, there are no hitches," said Clipper general manager Carl Scheer.
The Celtics and Clippers reached a tentative trade agreement Thursday and supervised physicals for both players yesterday. Walton was examined by Celtic team physician Thomas Silva at University Hospital. At the request of Clipper physician Tony Daly, Maxwell was examined by Dr. Tim Taft at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).
The Celtics were expected to call a press conference late yesterday to announce the transaction, but Boston general manager Jan Volk reported problems after phone conversations with the Clippers and a lengthy meeting with Walton, Silva and Celtic president Red Auerbach.
Two problems had been holding up the deal. One involved conformity with the NBA's complex salary cap restrictions and was not believed to be a major snag, because, according to Volk, "everybody wants to get it done; it's just difficult to do."
The other issue involved deferred compensation that the Clippers owe Walton. Before completing the deal, the Clippers wanted Walton to defer owed money for a longer period of time.
Clipper legal counsel Arn Tellem said, "That part is resolved. It's not a problem anymore. We're in agreement now. I think it was just a misunderstanding."
All other details of the agreement appear to be set. Boston will pay more than half of Maxwell's $805,000 per year contract and send Maxwell plus next year's No. 1 draft pick (not to be confused with Seattle's pick, which the Celtics also own) to the Clippers for Walton.
In Los Angeles, Maxwell will have a four-year deal with an option (the team's) for a fifth year. Walton's pact with the Celtics calls for Boston to pay the redhead $450,000 per year for each of the next three years.
Volk and Silva said that the Celtics have no problems with Walton's physical condition. Walton appeared tired when he left the Celtics' offices yesterday. His only comment: "We're working on it." Reached later in his Boston hotel room, Walton elected not to comment on the deferred compensation issue.
Scheer did not expect a report on Maxwell's physical until today. Maxwell's agent, Ron Grinker, predicted that Maxwell would have no problems with the physical. "I guarantee he won't fail it," said Grinker.
Grinker said that the Clippers have asked Maxwell to withhold comment until a week from Monday, when Maxwell has scheduled a press conference in Los Angeles.
Grinker never thought the deferred money issue would endanger the deal. "He (Walton) will sell his soul to get out of there," said Grinker. "They want to get rid of Walton, and the Celtics want to get rid of Max. This just prolongs it."
WALTON DEAL STILL ON TARGET CLIPPERS WILL GET MAXWELL
Bill Walton passed a physical in Boston yesterday, but the Celtics were unable to announce that Walton had been acquired for Cedric Maxwell because of a disagreement between Walton and the Clippers regarding deferred compensation. However, Clipper officials said last night that an agreement has been reached on the deferred compensation issue.
It was expected that the trade would be officially announced late today.
"Everything is on target, there are no hitches," said Clipper general manager Carl Scheer.
The Celtics and Clippers reached a tentative trade agreement Thursday and supervised physicals for both players yesterday. Walton was examined by Celtic team physician Thomas Silva at University Hospital. At the request of Clipper physician Tony Daly, Maxwell was examined by Dr. Tim Taft at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).
The Celtics were expected to call a press conference late yesterday to announce the transaction, but Boston general manager Jan Volk reported problems after phone conversations with the Clippers and a lengthy meeting with Walton, Silva and Celtic president Red Auerbach.
Two problems had been holding up the deal. One involved conformity with the NBA's complex salary cap restrictions and was not believed to be a major snag, because, according to Volk, "everybody wants to get it done; it's just difficult to do."
The other issue involved deferred compensation that the Clippers owe Walton. Before completing the deal, the Clippers wanted Walton to defer owed money for a longer period of time.
Clipper legal counsel Arn Tellem said, "That part is resolved. It's not a problem anymore. We're in agreement now. I think it was just a misunderstanding."
All other details of the agreement appear to be set. Boston will pay more than half of Maxwell's $805,000 per year contract and send Maxwell plus next year's No. 1 draft pick (not to be confused with Seattle's pick, which the Celtics also own) to the Clippers for Walton.
In Los Angeles, Maxwell will have a four-year deal with an option (the team's) for a fifth year. Walton's pact with the Celtics calls for Boston to pay the redhead $450,000 per year for each of the next three years.
Volk and Silva said that the Celtics have no problems with Walton's physical condition. Walton appeared tired when he left the Celtics' offices yesterday. His only comment: "We're working on it." Reached later in his Boston hotel room, Walton elected not to comment on the deferred compensation issue.
Scheer did not expect a report on Maxwell's physical until today. Maxwell's agent, Ron Grinker, predicted that Maxwell would have no problems with the physical. "I guarantee he won't fail it," said Grinker.
Grinker said that the Clippers have asked Maxwell to withhold comment until a week from Monday, when Maxwell has scheduled a press conference in Los Angeles.
Grinker never thought the deferred money issue would endanger the deal. "He (Walton) will sell his soul to get out of there," said Grinker. "They want to get rid of Walton, and the Celtics want to get rid of Max. This just prolongs it."
1986 Cs Beat Cavs by 30, Move to 55-13
C's win Fifth Straight
Larry Bird scored 43 scintillating points, and that's what sent the crowd home buzzing. But the Celtics as a whole had played another excellent offensive game, and that's what sent the players themselves home glowing.
The 126-96 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night was the Celtics' fifth straight and 13th in their last 15 games. They may have occasional defensive dips, but no team in the history of the league has ever come out hard defensively for 48 minutes. Meanwhile, few teams have ever settled into an offensive groove to match the one the Celtics are in right now.
They shot 58 percent from the floor, which means that in each of those 13 victories they have broken 50 percent as a team. They had 36 assists in 52 field goals. They outrebounded the Cavaliers by a 57-36 margin. They just flat-out kicked some serious butt.
"We may have some flaws," said Dennis Johnson, who submitted 11 assists while playing outstanding defense on World B. Free, "but when we have to, we can pick up our defensive intensity. Offensively, we're probably in the best groove we've been in during my three years here, even the year we won it."
Bird shattered his previous high of four three-pointers in a game, a figure he had attained twice in the previous six days. What's interesting is that he is on record as being against the three-pointer. "But it's part of the game," he said, "and it's something you've got to take advantage of." . . . Bird has averaged 37 points a game while shooting 65 percent (84 for 129) from the floor in his last six games. His season's shooting percentage is up to .491. Considering that after 14 games, he was shooting .426, that's not too bad.
Bill Walton had eight rebounds in the second quarter and nine in the half before sitting out the second half.
Larry Bird scored 43 scintillating points, and that's what sent the crowd home buzzing. But the Celtics as a whole had played another excellent offensive game, and that's what sent the players themselves home glowing.
The 126-96 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night was the Celtics' fifth straight and 13th in their last 15 games. They may have occasional defensive dips, but no team in the history of the league has ever come out hard defensively for 48 minutes. Meanwhile, few teams have ever settled into an offensive groove to match the one the Celtics are in right now.
They shot 58 percent from the floor, which means that in each of those 13 victories they have broken 50 percent as a team. They had 36 assists in 52 field goals. They outrebounded the Cavaliers by a 57-36 margin. They just flat-out kicked some serious butt.
"We may have some flaws," said Dennis Johnson, who submitted 11 assists while playing outstanding defense on World B. Free, "but when we have to, we can pick up our defensive intensity. Offensively, we're probably in the best groove we've been in during my three years here, even the year we won it."
Bird shattered his previous high of four three-pointers in a game, a figure he had attained twice in the previous six days. What's interesting is that he is on record as being against the three-pointer. "But it's part of the game," he said, "and it's something you've got to take advantage of." . . . Bird has averaged 37 points a game while shooting 65 percent (84 for 129) from the floor in his last six games. His season's shooting percentage is up to .491. Considering that after 14 games, he was shooting .426, that's not too bad.
Bill Walton had eight rebounds in the second quarter and nine in the half before sitting out the second half.
1986 C's Beat Sixers, Move to 54-13
The Celtics acted like a guy who had bullied his way to the head of the supermarket checkout line, only to discover that the kisser in which he had just planted his elbow belonged to his grandmother.
What they had done was dismantle the 76ers be fore the usual 14,890 witnesses at the Garden yester day afternoon. A late-season game with Philly is sup posed to be a combination of a guerrilla war and a Massachusetts Democratic primary fight. But the fi nal 17 minutes of this matinee contained no viable competition.
The Celtics won by a breezy 118-101 score, and if some of the crowd- pleasing things they pulled off constitute normal behavior at home (where, count ing the games in Hartford, they are now a spiffy 29-1) against Golden State, New York or San Antonio, it was a shock to see it being done to Philadelphia. It was so easy, in fact, that it scared the Celtics, who couldn't find enough good things to say about the humiliated 76ers, a team they are conditioned to re spect.
"I do think we're better," said Danny Ainge, "but today was no indication of how much better. They didn't have Bobby Jones (home with assorted knee and leg problems), and we're playing very well right now. Philadelphia has a lot of talent, and they'll be a force at play-off time."
Robert Parish backed him up. "The last thing I'm going to do," declared The Chief, "is take Philadel phia for granted. They give us a lot of problems, espe cially in Philadelphia. I still think they're the second- best team in the conference."
So these two guys go into the Fletcher School of Diplomacy without passing "Go" or collecting the $200. What the 250th consecutive Garden capacity crowd saw, however, was a definitive demonstration of Boston power, be it land, sea, air or bench. "I think we could beat them," said a brave 76ers coach Matt Guokas, "but we'd have to be at the very top of our game."
Philly's best shot was its first one, and the Celtics laughed at that. With Boston scoring on just one of its first seven possessions, the Sixers moved into such early leads as 6-0, 18-10 and, finally, 21-12. At this point, Jerry Sichting (K.C. Jones wanted to shake things up early) drilled an inside-out jumper to launch what would prove to be a run of 33-14. Though Boston would never lead in the first quarter (27-25, Sixers), the Sixers had to know that the Celt ics were back in control by the period's end.
There was need for only one lead change in this game, and it came in a fitting manner when Larry Bird sauntered up on the left wing and sank the first of his three three-pointers to give the Celtics a lead of 30-29 with 10:15 left in the half. Bird would finish with a respectable 36 points, 14 rebounds and 6 as sists, and before he was through he would conduct a third- period post-up and two-man clinic at the ex pense of the overmatched Charles Barkley that L would delight a gathering aching to ridicule the tem pestuous young Philadelphia star who was sent over by Central Casting to be the villain in this town.
Sichting (5 for 8, 11 points) was instrumental as the Celtics moved to a 45-35 lead. But Philly fought back to within three at the half (53-50), not that any one in the crowd was concerned since Bird had taken his 18 points and 12 rebounds to the bench for the final 4:17 of the half. If there is one thing we know for sure about this rivalry, it's that Philadelphia can not handle Larry Bird.
Philly hung tough a little longer, until a corner fallaway by Moses Malone (a harmless 18 points and 10 rebounds) and a technical foul shot converted by Maurice Cheeks -- Bird had objected to an Ed Rush call and bounced the ball in the general direction of Uranus -- pulled them within 59-57 with 8:23 left in the quarter.
That's as close as the Sixers would get. Kevin McHale (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks) deftly reject ed a Barkley shot, and when Barkley picked up the ball in the right corner and tried to pitch it into the lane, Bird intercepted it to start a fast break. McHale took an Ainge feed for a basket, and that turned into a three-point play when Barkley was hit with a tech nical. The shockingly ordinary Julius Erving (13 whispering points) answered for Philly, but succesH sive baskets by Dennis Johnson and Ainge (a reverse fast-break layup on a play begun with another McHale rejection) started the Celtics on a 17-5 run.
Bird's abuse of Barkley started with Boston lead ing, 71-63. First he isolated the Sixer forward on the far left, taking him inside for a short flip (73-63). Next time down, he first refused a three-pointer and then isolated him again in the same spot before feed ing McHale for an overhead layup (75-63). But BarkH ley's worst moment lay ahead.
This time Bird and McHale set up shop on a right- side high post. Bird fed into McHale, as Barkley, look ing worried, jumped back to help on McHale. McHale threw it back out and when Bird got it he faked to freeze Barkley and then hit a rolling McHale for an easy layup (77-64).
It was just another day at the office for the game's greatest player. "Larry just played a nice relaxed -- maybe 'poised' is a better word -- game," said Erving. "He took the shots that were there, maybe worked some boards and set up some teammates. He's the leader of a very good team, the best in the league."
The Sixers found out how good in the fourth peri od when, without really moving out of cruise gear, the Celtics expanded a 10-point lead (86-76) to 22 (106-84) before K.C. turned the game over to his so- called Green Team.
If you're counting, that's 20 straight at home (two of those in Hartford), and the show is getting better all the time. "If you're a Celtics fan," observed Guokas, "it's nice to watch."
What they had done was dismantle the 76ers be fore the usual 14,890 witnesses at the Garden yester day afternoon. A late-season game with Philly is sup posed to be a combination of a guerrilla war and a Massachusetts Democratic primary fight. But the fi nal 17 minutes of this matinee contained no viable competition.
The Celtics won by a breezy 118-101 score, and if some of the crowd- pleasing things they pulled off constitute normal behavior at home (where, count ing the games in Hartford, they are now a spiffy 29-1) against Golden State, New York or San Antonio, it was a shock to see it being done to Philadelphia. It was so easy, in fact, that it scared the Celtics, who couldn't find enough good things to say about the humiliated 76ers, a team they are conditioned to re spect.
"I do think we're better," said Danny Ainge, "but today was no indication of how much better. They didn't have Bobby Jones (home with assorted knee and leg problems), and we're playing very well right now. Philadelphia has a lot of talent, and they'll be a force at play-off time."
Robert Parish backed him up. "The last thing I'm going to do," declared The Chief, "is take Philadel phia for granted. They give us a lot of problems, espe cially in Philadelphia. I still think they're the second- best team in the conference."
So these two guys go into the Fletcher School of Diplomacy without passing "Go" or collecting the $200. What the 250th consecutive Garden capacity crowd saw, however, was a definitive demonstration of Boston power, be it land, sea, air or bench. "I think we could beat them," said a brave 76ers coach Matt Guokas, "but we'd have to be at the very top of our game."
Philly's best shot was its first one, and the Celtics laughed at that. With Boston scoring on just one of its first seven possessions, the Sixers moved into such early leads as 6-0, 18-10 and, finally, 21-12. At this point, Jerry Sichting (K.C. Jones wanted to shake things up early) drilled an inside-out jumper to launch what would prove to be a run of 33-14. Though Boston would never lead in the first quarter (27-25, Sixers), the Sixers had to know that the Celt ics were back in control by the period's end.
There was need for only one lead change in this game, and it came in a fitting manner when Larry Bird sauntered up on the left wing and sank the first of his three three-pointers to give the Celtics a lead of 30-29 with 10:15 left in the half. Bird would finish with a respectable 36 points, 14 rebounds and 6 as sists, and before he was through he would conduct a third- period post-up and two-man clinic at the ex pense of the overmatched Charles Barkley that L would delight a gathering aching to ridicule the tem pestuous young Philadelphia star who was sent over by Central Casting to be the villain in this town.
Sichting (5 for 8, 11 points) was instrumental as the Celtics moved to a 45-35 lead. But Philly fought back to within three at the half (53-50), not that any one in the crowd was concerned since Bird had taken his 18 points and 12 rebounds to the bench for the final 4:17 of the half. If there is one thing we know for sure about this rivalry, it's that Philadelphia can not handle Larry Bird.
Philly hung tough a little longer, until a corner fallaway by Moses Malone (a harmless 18 points and 10 rebounds) and a technical foul shot converted by Maurice Cheeks -- Bird had objected to an Ed Rush call and bounced the ball in the general direction of Uranus -- pulled them within 59-57 with 8:23 left in the quarter.
That's as close as the Sixers would get. Kevin McHale (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks) deftly reject ed a Barkley shot, and when Barkley picked up the ball in the right corner and tried to pitch it into the lane, Bird intercepted it to start a fast break. McHale took an Ainge feed for a basket, and that turned into a three-point play when Barkley was hit with a tech nical. The shockingly ordinary Julius Erving (13 whispering points) answered for Philly, but succesH sive baskets by Dennis Johnson and Ainge (a reverse fast-break layup on a play begun with another McHale rejection) started the Celtics on a 17-5 run.
Bird's abuse of Barkley started with Boston lead ing, 71-63. First he isolated the Sixer forward on the far left, taking him inside for a short flip (73-63). Next time down, he first refused a three-pointer and then isolated him again in the same spot before feed ing McHale for an overhead layup (75-63). But BarkH ley's worst moment lay ahead.
This time Bird and McHale set up shop on a right- side high post. Bird fed into McHale, as Barkley, look ing worried, jumped back to help on McHale. McHale threw it back out and when Bird got it he faked to freeze Barkley and then hit a rolling McHale for an easy layup (77-64).
It was just another day at the office for the game's greatest player. "Larry just played a nice relaxed -- maybe 'poised' is a better word -- game," said Erving. "He took the shots that were there, maybe worked some boards and set up some teammates. He's the leader of a very good team, the best in the league."
The Sixers found out how good in the fourth peri od when, without really moving out of cruise gear, the Celtics expanded a 10-point lead (86-76) to 22 (106-84) before K.C. turned the game over to his so- called Green Team.
If you're counting, that's 20 straight at home (two of those in Hartford), and the show is getting better all the time. "If you're a Celtics fan," observed Guokas, "it's nice to watch."
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