January 24, 1980
It is known in polite sports circles as a "professional situation." Now that the Celtics have acquired the services of Pete Maravich, they have created a lame-duck status for possibly one or more members of a team that has the second-best record in pro basketball.
The focal point yesterday was on second-year guard Jeff Judkins and veteran center-forward Eric Fernsten. The former is a highly regarded second- round draft choice out of Utah who, as a rookie, was touted as a future John Havlicek type. The other is a journeyman player who fought his way back from two years of NBA exile.
Oddly, Fernsten figured to get his most playing time of the season with the injury to Dave Cowens.
At Logan Airport yesterday, both men got a taste of what it could be like for the next few days - or, perhaps, weeks. Two television crews dropped by to ask the obvious questions as the Celtics were preparing to come here. The same questions were asked again last night, and coach Bill Fitch wasn't exactly pleased about it because it took away from the only thing he felt they should be thinking about before a game - winning.
"It could be," Fitch said last night, "that people are making a mistake talking to either of those guys."
The point was short and well made. Until the Celtics find out if Maravich, currently on the injured list with a pulled groin, can play, the issue is moot. Cowens' condition could dictate a move. There are trade options available until Feb. 15. A lot of things could happen.
"I've seen it before," said Fernsten. "And, really, once you sign a contract, there is nothing you can do about it anyway. It happened to me my second year at Chicago when Scott May had to come back. They told me that they had a lot of no-cut contracts and I had to go. I found out later that they had lied to me. It kinda woke me up. I began to realize some things."
It is the first such experience for Judkins, who a year ago played in 81 games, averaging 8.8 points and 18.7 minutes of playing time. This year, he has gotten into 39 of 47 games, but his time is down to 11.1, with little prospects of getting better right away. The timing of the Maravich trade couldn't have been worse for him.
"But if it might help the team," he said, "there is nothing I can say. Sure, it hurts a little bit. The team has a 35-12 record. But Red Auerbach is a smart basketball man, and so is Bill. I'm sure they wouldn't do anything to hurt the team. It's just that we have such a good group of guys here.
"I've been here two years and have tried my best whenever I was given the chance. But it is different from last year. It is a new coach, a new system, and I'm not playing as much. You try to learn at practice and sitting on the bench. But the best way to learn is to play.
"I got to play a lot last year," said Judkins, "but a lot of that was because we had such a bad team. I didn't get off to a very good start with my shooting as I did a year ago, and I guess that's all that people see. But I've improved my game in a lot of other areas that have gone unnoticed. I'm better than last year."
But because of the situation, Judkins realizes he is pressing more now than ever.
"We have a good team," he said. "And I know it's difficult to get into games with the kind of talent we have on this team sometimes. But I'm probably more nervous now than I was my rookie year because I know to do better you have to play, and I'm not doing it. But I'm still going to do the best than I know how and let the rest take care of itself."
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