TONY@NCSUVM.BITNET (09/18/85)
As a loyal Celtics fan since Maxwell's rookie season, I must admit that I am saddened to see him go. However, I take exception to those who say the trade for Walton was no help for either team, and does nothing except alter the Celtic's and Clipper's injured lists for the upcoming season. Maxwell, until his injury, was always a starter and until Bird's arrival was the Celt's main inside threat. He's a fine offensive rebounder, and a dangerous inside scorer when he gets the ball. He's always been the their number one defender, usually getting assigned the opponent's top frontcourt scorer, i.e. players like Bernard King, Marques Johnson, The Doc, etc. In short, Max has always been a consistent, solid, offensive AND defensive player who, I feel, could help a great many teams, not just the Clippers. I admit, though, that A LOT depends on how much Max is willing to put out to get himself back into 'game shape' again. It's true he didn't seem to work very hard to rehab the knee and that was the reason Red traded him, but then again breaking into the Clipper's front line can't be as near as formidable a task as beating out Bird/McHale/Parish. Best of luck to Max AND the Clippers in the upcoming season! On the other hand, all those who are decrying the acquisition of Walton, claiming he's an injury-plagued has-been, should just look around the league at all the 'has-beens' now making valuable contributions to their teams -- Bob MacAdoo, Mitch Kupchak, Dan Roundfield, Bernard King, Scott Wedman, to name a few. All these people needed was the right team, where scorers weren't used as rebounders, wing players weren't expected to D power forwards, and so on. The Clippers expected Walton to do it all when he was on the court -- score inside, D the opponent's big man, rebound to start the break, and EVERYBODY KNEW IT. Big Bill is the NBA's BEST outlet passer off the defensive boards, and who better to utilize those talents than the Celts, who LOVE the quick fast break? Personally I think this gives Boston the deepest, most overall talented frontcourt in the league. Now, if they only had guards to match ...... Tony Lawrence tony@ncsuvm.bitnet