December 20, 1979
Dawkins was back to looking like a football player gone wrong, back to committing almost as many fouls as he scored points, collecting only two points, intimidating no one. Erving was still Erving, floating free and easy, but on the other end there was Larry Bird, also floating and also easy. The Celtics' own Erving. Maurice Cheeks, the backcourt comet of a year ago was matched by the Celtics' Nate Archibald. And Archibald could score. Steve Mix was Steve Mix, but, whoops, here was the Celts' M. L. Carr. He was doing the same sorts of things.
"It was a situation where we had to show them we are for real," guard Chris Ford said. "They beat us the first time in Philly, and we had to show them that we're competitive, that we're in it, too."
"The first time, in Philly, we were too emotional, too high to play the game, reserve guard Jeff Judkins said. "This time, we were natural, easy. It was like playing a big college game. That's what it reminded me of."
They gave the Sixers a dose of all the things they have been using on this madcap tour through their hit list. They ran the fast break from the Cousy playbook. They passed the ball, passed the ball, five times in one memorable pinball operation that resulted in an Archbald layup. Bird worked his magic. Ford hit the customary three-pointer. Maxwell was a snake again underneath the basket. There were external problems, to be sure, for the Sixers - the transition to playing without Doug Collins, the effect of traveling during the day from Detroit, the usual problems of playing on the road - but the Celtics were in no mood for sympathy. They have had their own problems for two years. They have had their own embarassments. They poured it on.
The clincher was Judkins' three-pointer from the corner in the final minutes. The Celts already were leading by 25 points and he could have taken the two-pointer, but he purposely stepped behind the line and heaved. The basket brought out the largest, craziest, standing-room-only standing ovation of the night.
"You looked like you were throwing that one for spite," Judkins was told. "You looked like you were saying, "in your face,' like you were looking for the humiliation basket."
"That's probably true," Judkins replied.
Philadelphia. Check. The rivalry has been born again.
16 comments:
The clincher was Judkins' three-pointer from the corner in the final minutes. The Celts already were leading by 25 points and he could have taken the two-pointer, but he purposely stepped behind the line and heaved. The basket brought out the largest, craziest, standing-room-only standing ovation of the night.
"You looked like you were throwing that one for spite," Judkins was told. "You looked like you were saying, "in your face,' like you were looking for the humiliation basket."
"That's probably true," Judkins replied.
Philadelphia. Check. The rivalry has been born again.
Jeff Judkins revives the the Celtics-Sixers rivalry?
lakers lose again
didn't the bad dr jerry bust project this to be his best laker team evah?
Baron Von Wafer makes a meaningful contribution!
Squisy at the point down the stretch!
bambino grande--6th man of the year?
#11's jumpshooting has stemmed the tide in more than a half-dozen games, not to mention the "steals" he accomplishes by taking charges.
Doc keeps changing the lineups, keeping things fresh and making it difficult for opponents to prepare
pistons 10-21
Cs better win
i agree baby for 6th man! most definitley! I hope kg aint out too long, maybe he can bring perk and rondo back with him!
I miss them both!
especially PERK!
sounds like a calf?
check out the combined numbers for JO and SO.
Yikes!
i know!
On the upside, KG injury, out only two weeks!
very good news.
I didn't want to have to revive the Grassy Knoll series!
Looks like we've entered that part of the season where we start losing a bunch of games after winning a bunch at the beginning.
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