UPSHAW BOUNCES BACK

December 2, 1989

Kelvin Upshaw's world is forever changing. One moment he's coming off the bench to give his team a lift. The next he's coming off a plane, set to make yet another city his home. One moment he's in the National; the next he's in the Continental. One moment his team hands him the pink slip; the next they roll out the red carpet.

If his life were a movie, it would be entitled, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." And there would be no guarantee of a sequel.

In fact, perhaps the only constant in Kelvin Upshaw's scenario is Upshaw himself. Cut him. Trade him. Yank him off the waiver wire. Let him collect dust on the bench. Put him in with seconds to go after the outcome of a game has been decided -- he'll still give 100 percent effort. He'll still give opposing point guards Excedrin headaches with his defense.

And even when the twists in his career lack perfect sense, he'll keep a positive attitude.

"I want to be prepared for all situations," said Upshaw, who had a Boy Scout-type game in the Celtics' 102-89 win over Cleveland last night. He dished out a team-high 8 assists, grabbed 4 rebounds and scored 7 points -- including a right-side 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the third period. Most important, Upshaw played 19 minutes -- 7 more than his previous high this season.

"I didn't expect to stay in that long," he said. "But in this game, you never know what happens. I was prepared."

At least for now. John Bagley's shoulder injury brought Upshaw back to the team (he was waived on Nov. 11), and he is probably assured of a spot until Bagley gets back. After that, who knows?

"This was an opportunity to show what I can do," said Upshaw, who has played for three Contintental Basketball Association teams and two National Basketball Association teams. "I just wanted to come in and play aggressive defense. I knew Jimmy Rodgers wanted the tempo turned up because when we get the tempo turned up, our break starts working, and that helps."

Last night Upshaw was most valuable defensively. He frustrated Cleveland guard Steve Kerr, forcing the latter to throw bad passes. Even when the Cavs guards dribbled past Upshaw, he'd alter or block a pull-up attempt from behind.

"I liked the way Kelvin responded," said Rodgers. "He played some sticky defense and hit some shots that were an all-around catalyst."

"I think that one of the strengths of my game is defense," said Upshaw. "It takes a special kind of player to want to go out and play defense. I give my best to contribute to the team."

He contributed two big buckets last night. One came with 9:20 left in the third period: an off-balance bank shot, giving the Celtics an 80-73 lead, after the defense shut down the desired play. The other came on his 3-point buzzer-beater; it brought the crowd and the Celtics bench to its feet. But Upshaw simply trotted back to the bench, allowing that orange piece of chewed gum to hang from his lip, and huddled up with the team. No jumping or hand-raising. No clapping. No need.

"I don't want to make a big deal out of this game," he said. "The next game, I might not play."

That's a cold, cruel reality. But it is the truth. And although Upshaw won't allow it to sneak up on him, he won't let it worry him, either.

Asked what he believes will happen when Bagley comes back, he said, "I don't even think about things like that. I always like to think about positive things. Things like that are out of my control.

"My mom always told me that you can't worry about things you don't control. You'll only make things worse."

Last night he made things bright for himself. At least for a moment. Later on, he could be packing his bags and leaving Boston again. Kelvin Upshaw's world changes like New England weather. But he won't allow it to change him.