Exactly Who is Bill Fitch?

Exactly Who is Bill Fitch?

February 20, 1980

BILL FITCH: WHO IS THIS MAN WHO HAS COACHED THE CELTICS BACK FROM THE DARK AGES TO THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THEY ONCE TOOK FOR GRANTED? THERE IS NO SIMPLE ANSWER, JUST AS HE IS NOT A SIMPLE MAN. BILL FITCH IS MANY THINGS, BUT FOREMOST AMONG THEM IS WINNER.

For 26 years, his world has been basketball. Bill Fitch has a game face. Bill Fitch has a living face. Only a select few can tell the difference when watching the first-year Celtic coach at work.

Sampson Gives Celts Final Answer

April 28, 1980

SAMPSON ISSUES FINAL NO' ANSWER FOLLOWS SECOND MEETING

The Celtics yesterday offered Ralph Sampson "what could have been the best offer ever made to a player coming out of college," but Sampson turned it down. "He's not coming," Harry Mangurian, the Celtics' owner, said at halftime of last night's playoff game between the Celtics and 76ers. "He more or less told us he was going to stay in school."

It's a Wrap

April 27, 1980

NO MORE GAMES . . . AND NO TITLE EITHER

No More Games.

There'll be none in Boston Garden, anyway, not until next October. Philadelphia put the struggling, squirming, Boston Celtics out of their collective misery yesterday afternoon with a take-no-prisoners 105-94 triumph that gave the streaking Sixers (who boast a 10-2 playoff record thus far) a 4-1 triumph in the Eastern Conference final.

C's Topple Sixers

April 21, 1980

CELTICS PUT UP A GREAT FRONT, CATCH SIXERS

Yeah, maybe there might have been something worse than going down to Philadelphia trailing the 76ers, two games to none. The Celtics could have volunteered to shoot rapids in a plastic raft purchased at the church fair, for example. Absolutely nobody in Boston wished to contemplate getting two-down in this series, and now the worrying has ceased. Bill Fitch attached his hopes, and those of 15,320 Garden followers, to a five-man nucleus yesterday afternoon, and Boston's answer to the Fabulous Five provided him with a 96-90 decision over the Philadelphia club. The Eastern Conference final series is now tied at one game apiece, with the third game coming up on Wednesday night at the Spectrum.

Robey is Sub-perb

April 21, 1980

CELTICS NOTEBOOK ONCE HE GOT THE CHANCE, ROBEY PROVED SUB-PERB

Bill Fitch might not have substituted very much yesterday, but he did make one valuable substitution that had a great impact on the outcome of the game with the 76ers. Things weren't going especially well with 6:52 remaining in the third period. The 76ers had chopped a 15-point lead down to two at 62-60, and they were doing a decent job inside. Fitch inserted Rick Robey, who had only played for 1:17 in the first half, and who hadn't been used much in the first game either, for Cedric Maxwell.

Celtics Close Out Rockets

April 15, 1980

ROCKETS TRIED TO RUN, BUT CELTICS RAN THEM DOWN INSTEAD

The Houston Rockets turned in desperation to a running game against the Celtics last night, and that's exactly how the Celtics made them look in the fourth and final game of this best-of-seven playoff series - desperate. Counting the regular season, the Celtics beat the Rockets 10 straight times, but not until last night did the Rockets attempt to run with them.

Celtics have Rockets Number

April 10, 1980

CELTICS CONTINUE HEX OVER ROCKETS

The record is 0 wins, and lots of losses....and nobody has to tell the Houston Rockets why they have been unable to beat the Celtics this season. "We're not nervous," said veteran Rocket guard Calvin Murphy. "This isn't our first playoff game. We've been at it for a week already.

Sampson Chase is On

April 9, 1980

SAMPSON CHASE, AND WAIT, ARE ON

The gray-haired lady smiling from behind the car rental counter caught the Celtic logo glued to the side of the small leather bag with the first look. Then she matched it with the cigar stuffed in the mouth of the suddenly familiar face in front of her, and asked without hesitation: ”You're here to take Ralph away, aren't you? Can't say as I'd blame ya. Can't say if I were Ralph I wouldn't go either. Not for all that money."

Examining the Playoffs

Examining the playoff series which begin tomorrow night:

1. BOSTON-HOUSTON

Regular Season - Boston 6, Houston 0

In his mind, Fitch does not see a regular-season series sweep. He sees three close games in Houston, all blown by the Rockets more than won by the Celtics. He sees two competitive Boston Garden games. He sees that 6-0 being 3-3 or worse. He sees Malone, the Inside Monster. He sees additional firepower in the persons of Murphy, Reid, Tomjanovich and even rookie guard Allan Leavell, who averaged 13 points per game while shooting 66 percent against the Celtics. What he does not see in his mind's eye is Houston's essential defensive ineptitude and its basic lack of game smarts. It's true that the Rockets will
come here charged up after blowing out the Spurs, and that the Texans are counting on possible Celtic rustiness in hopes of stealing the first game. But the 20-game victory difference between these two teams was no clerical error, and the fact is that a Rocket series triumph would be one of the all-time playoff upsets. Give the Rockets one game on the basis of a Malone freak-out, and maybe even another if somebody else gets especially hot, but that is it.


2. LOS ANGELES-PHOENIX

Regular Season - LA 3, Phoenix 3

First, let's assume that Kareem's migraine headaches disappear. Then let's assume that Truck's ailing knee will get better. Subtract either one of these people from his team's lineup and this whole analysis is useless. Subtract them both, and, well, wouldn't you trade Truck even up for the Big Fella? That aside, this will be a helluva series. Why doesn't anybody believe me when I tell them that Phoenix could win it? LA simply can't guard Paul Westphal, and Alvan Adams always spends a lot of time shooting foul-line jumpers and running away from Kareem for sneakaway dunks. And now the Suns have Rich Kelley to come in and bang Abdul-Jabbar around. There were significant stretches of this season when LA played better ball than anybody, but Phoenix is one team that LA can't psych out. It's been a home-court deal all the way, and so it should remain. LA in seven,
but it's hardly, as they say, a lock.

Havlicek Participating in Practices with Bird

April 8, 1980

HAVLICEK HELPING CELTICS GET READY

Maybe Bill Fitch thinks that class and experience can be transmitted to his team by osmosis. Why else would he invite John Havlicek to work out with his ballclub? Wearing the No. 27 made famous by Kevin Stacom and Marvin Barnes, Havlicek has been taking part in Celtic practices prior to the playoff opener against the Houston Rockets tomorrow night. "Bill just said that if I wasn't doing anything to come over and work out with them," Havlicek explained. "It gives him another body so he can come up with different looks." We all knew Fitch was thorough, but this time he may have reached new heights.

Bird Says Sampson Should Stay in School

April 6, 1980

BIRD SAYS SAMPSON SHOULD GET DEGREE

Boston Celtic star Larry Bird says Ralph Sampson, the 7- foot-4 University of Virginia freshman his team wants to sign, should finish school before he turns pro. Bird finished his career at Indiana State even though he had a chance to join the Celtics after his junior year. Bird told a junior high basketball clinic Friday that he thinks Sampson should get a good education to plan for the years after his sports career ends.

"I hope we get him someday, but I hope he's smart enough to stay in school," Bird said. Celtic president Red Auerbach planned to meet next week with Sampson's parents to try to persuade them that their son should pass up his last three years in college for an NBA career.

Everything Else is Gavy

April 6, 1980

EVERYTHING'S GRAVY FOR CELTICS

What were your preseason expectations for the Celtics? While you're gathering your thoughts, I'll tell you mine. I thought that Dave Cowens would have a good year - not, perhaps a 1974 year, but something that approximated the old Dave Cowens more than the stranger who inhabitated uniform No. 18 last season. I liked what I had seen of Rick Robey, and I thought he would develop into a useful Kupchakian frontcourt performer.

Sampson a Celtic?

April 5, 1980

THE SAMPSON WATCH AUERBACH WILL SPEAK, BUT IT'S MONEY THAT WILL TALK

When he puts his mind to it, Celtic general manager Red Auerbach can be very charming and persuasive. But even Auerbach is well aware that it will take more than a winning personality to persuade Virginia's 7-foot-4 freshman center, Ralph Sampson, to declare hardship and turn pro with the Celtics. What he'll need most is a lucrative multiyear contract offer from Celtic owner Harry Mangurian.

Celtics and Sampson Contingent Will Talk

April 4, 1980

CELTICS, SAMPSONS WILL TALK

The Celtics have made no secret of the fact that they'd love to use the No. 1 pick in this year's college draft - which they obtained through a fortuitous coin flip against the Utah Jazz - on Virginia's 7-foot-4 center, Ralph Sampson. The only problem, of course, is that as a freshman, Sampson would have to declare himself a hardship case to be eligible for the 1980 draft.

Now there could be some substance to the Celtics' fervent hopes. Or is there? Sampson's college coach, Terry Holland, revealed last night that he, Sampson's parents and the prodigy's high school coach, Roger Bergey, will meet Tuesday with Celtic officials. The meeting at Sampson's home in Harrisonburg, Va., is being held at the request of Celtics' president Red Auerbach. Sampson will not be present.

Holland conceded that "Ralph is flattered by the Celtics' interest in him." However, he cautioned, "At the present time, he is planning to be back at Virginia. Our meeting with the Celtics is intended to get things out in the open. "If Boston is serious about drafting Ralph, we want to be sure there are no behind-the-scenes dealings that could jeopardize his eligibility at Virginia."

1979-80 Boston Celtics: The Perfect Storm

1979-80 Boston Celtics: The Perfect Storm

April 1, 1980

THE TALE OF THE TRANSFORMATION FITCH, BIRD AND A PAIR OF COMEBACKS TURNED THE CELTICS AROUND

A year ago, as I recall, the Celtics were marked by turmoil, chaos and confusion. You had an owner who had just completed a gigantic trade his coach and general manager knew nothing about. You had an aging NBA center as coach. You had a malcontent little guard sitting on the bench. The only bright thing on the horizon was the potential of Larry Bird. If ever there was a moribund franchise, it was the Celtics. And for the rest of us, the worst is yet to come, courtesy of the Dick Vitale Sweepstakes."-Pat Williams, 76er general manager

Ralph Sampson a Celtic?

April 1, 1980

SAMPSON'S THE PRIZE

Either way, heads or tails, Boston or Utah, the coin flip this afternoon at 1 in Comr. Larry O'Brien's office in New York is for the whispering rights to Ralph Sampson. "I don't know what I'll call," said Celtic general manager Red Auerbach, who will be in the Big Apple personally to make the call for the first pick in the NBA draft this year.

Celtics Win Chance for 7-4 Sampson

Celtics Win Chance for 7-4 Sampson

April 1, 1980

CELTICS WIN COIN TOSS

Celtic general manager Red Auerbach today proved that he still has the knack of winning the "big ones." Auerbach, the brilliant strategist, on and off the court, was overcome with elation after he personally witnessed the celebrated flip of the coin with the Utah Jazz in the New York office of NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien that decided the Celtics had won the right to pick first in the NBA college player draft on June 10.

Atlantic is Green

March 29, 1980

Atlantic is Green, 130-122

It's a milestone that carries residual benefits beyond compare, and if anyone had told you in August that the Celtics would clinch the Atlantic Division championship on the penultimate night of the season with Pete Maravich dribbling out the clock in Globetrotter fashion and then finishing the game by spiking the basketball, you would have inquired about the nature of those cigarettes he'd been smoking.

Pistol Dribbles Out the Clock for Emotional W

Pistol Dribbles Out the Clock for Emotional W

March 29, 1980

AT LONG LAST . . . CELTICS NAIL DOWN TITLE

It would have required the imagination of a basketball-oriented Fellini to have conjured up this scene. Suppose, now, that on a nice August afternoon someone had told you that on the night of March 28, the Boston Celtics - those horrible 29-53 Boston Celtics - would nail down both the league's best record and the Atlantic Division title, and, furthermore, that the punctuation mark to an emotional evening of basketball in the hoop-crazed Garden would be the sights of Pete Maravich - Pete Maravich! - first dribbling out the clock in Globetrotter fashion and finally spiking the basketball as the buzzer sounded.

For Cornbread, Light at End of the Tunnel

For Cornbread, Finally Light at End of the Tunnel

March 29, 1980

FOR MAXWELL, IT WAS ALL RAGS TO RICHES' HE CAME TO BOSTON STRAIGHT FROM THE FINAL FOUR OF THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ATLANTA, WHERE THE CHEERING NEVER STOPPED.

And when he got here, they threw him into the rubber room of the Boston Celtics of Irv Levin and John Y. Brown. For two seasons, Cedric Maxwell flopped and floundered amid the chaos that had turned the Celtic tradition inside out. He played well, but if there was a light at the end of the tunnel, it seemed so far away that he'd be 50 before he reached
it.