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