The Boston Celtics found themselves in a bit of an off-season predicament after falling one step short of the NBA Finals with another loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cedric Maxwell, who suited up for four seasons in Boston during his playing career, spoke on how tough it was to get over that final hurdle and what he thinks about today’s players matching their predecessors’ skill level.
“Those were wars,” said Cedric Maxwell when asked about those difficult battles between himself and Kevin Garnett back in 2007-2008 season before going into detail as to why they continued until 2008-2009 when they finally won against Orlando Magic while also praising LeBron James’. “It takes something special.”
Cedric Maxwell is now retired from the NBA. He played for the Boston Celtics for 16 seasons and helped them win a championship in 2008. “Those were wars,” he said, “but I loved it.” Read more in detail here: cedric maxwell net worth.
During his eight seasons with the Boston Celtics, Cedric Maxwell appeared in two NBA Finals. He earned the series MVP against the Houston Rockets in 1981. In Game 7 against the Lakers in 1984, he encouraged his teammates to climb on his back. He led the Celtics in scoring and led them to their second title in a decade in that game.
Mawell spoke about some of the greatest games and series he’s been a part of on the Cedric Maxwell Podcast with former teammate Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Surprisingly, none of his Finals appearances made the list of the best series he’s ever been a part of.
With the Boston Celtics, Cedric Maxwell was always up to the task.
On April 12, 2011, at the T-Mobile shop in Brighton, Massachusetts, Boston Celtics icon Cedric Maxwell performs a meet and greet at the T-Mobile celebration of the collaboration with the Boston Celtics. T-Mobile/Darren McCollester/Getty Images
Max became better as the game got larger. He shone greatest when the stakes were the highest on a squad packed of superstars. While most people associate the Celtics’ core with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, Maxwell accomplished everything the Big Three achieved. Max had a double-double season the year before Bird arrived in town, averaging 19.0 points and 9.9 rebounds.
The Celtics reached the NBA Finals after acquiring Parish and McHale in a trade for the 1980-81 season. They were up against the Houston Rockets. The MVP of the series was awarded to Maxwell.
The Celtics struggled in the 1984 Finals. The Lakers totally outplayed Boston in Game 2, but a late-game Gerald Henderson theft helped the Celtics win in overtime to even the series at home.
In Game 4, Kevin McHale clotheslined Kurt Rambis, sparking a momentum shift that allowed the Celtics to win another overtime game. After the teams split Games 5 and 6, Game 7 in Boston was winner take all.
Then there’s Maxwell.
He instructed his teammates to hop on his back before the game, and he seized command. In a 111-102 triumph, he led the squad with 24 points.
Cedric Maxwell shared the best series he’s ever been a part of.
With a Game 6 victory against the Houston Rockets on May 13, 1981, the Celtics earned their 14th NBA title. Cedric Maxwell was named MVP of the series.
Look for a new moment during Celtics Pregame Live and Celtics games all season to relive “75 years of Celtics basketball” 🍀 pic.twitter.com/Jf380dmxqp
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 24, 2021
Maxwell and Archibald spoke about their playing days and how the game has evolved over time. Max then chimed in with his thoughts on the finest series he’d ever seen.
On the Cedric Maxwell Podcast, he commented, “When I think of the best series that I’ve ever played in, I chuckle.” “It wasn’t a championship series, but it had to be the 1981 Philadelphia-Boston matchup.” Man, they were wars. They had been wars.”
Archibald was in agreement.
He said, “It was always a fight against us and Philadelphia.” “Consider this: the club that wins will face either Los Angeles or Houston in the championship game.” I frequently remind people that Philadelphia was the epicenter of the battle.”
“I recall an exhibition game versus Philadelphia,” Maxwell added. “I’d like to mention that we performed in Knoxville, Tennessee. There were no places available to dine after the game save the hotel. So, we arrived early to dine. I recall Philly stepping in and saying, “Hell no, we’re not eating,” and then leaving.
“That’s how brutal it was in the 1980s.” “The teams didn’t get along.”
Even in preseason, the Celtics and 76ers battled it out.
Things got heated during a preseason game between the Celtics and the 76ers at the Boston Garden in 1983. Bird and two other players were removed early in the game for fighting.
Things became so heated in the game that Red Auerbach, the president of the Celtics, walked on the floor and confronted Moses Malone.
According to United Press International, Auerbach told Malone, “Hit me, you huge SOB.” “Go ahead and do it. I’m not a large guy. “Hit me, you scumbag.”
Maxwell was well aware that rivalry games with Philadelphia were as stressful as any other.
According to UPI, “I felt it would be the first game in NBA history to be called due of violence.” “With our two teams, anything can happen once we get on the court.”
“I wouldn’t be shocked if anything unexpected occurred during warmups.”
RELATED: Kevin McHale and Cedric Maxwell Reminisce About Danny Ainge’s Poor Shooting
Related Tags
- is cedric maxwell in the nba hall of fame
- cedric maxwell position
- cedric maxwell
