The Cedric Maxwell Interview
By:
Michael D. McClellan
|
Thursday, June 12th, 2002
I hear that you are a very good chess player. What
parallels can you draw between the game of chess and the
game of basketball?
Both games require a tremendous amount of thought to be
successful. You have to be able to anticipate your
opponent’s moves and put yourself in a position to take
advantage of that. For example, you might be guarding a
player who makes a move on you earlier in the game. You
know that move will be coming again, so you prepare for
it. You anticipate what he might do next, and when.
Then later in the game you counter his move, maybe cut
him off on his way to the basket. You’re able to do
this because you’ve studied your opponent and you know
what his tendency will be in a certain situation.
I’ve read where you’ve produced Broadway-style plays.
You’re also an impeccable dresser with a great sense of
style. Please tell me about the creative side of
Cedric Maxwell.
That’s just how I grew up. My mother was always playing
music, and was always helping us to think creatively.
She’s a big reason that I got involved in the
entertainment business after I finished playing
basketball. I produced some gospel musicals and some
off Broadway plays back in the Southeast, which was
interesting. I started broadcasting college basketball
in Charlotte. It was a natural progression to what I’m
doing now.
My fashion sense came from my grandfather and my great-grandfather. I like the oversized jackets and pants, so I decided that I could do the designs myself. I work with a tailor in Asia. I send my ideas to him and he creates my suits. It’s grown to the point where I am doing designs for other people as well.
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is home to one of
your NBA Championship rings. Which ring is it – 1981 or
1984 – and how hard was it to part with such a special
piece of hardware?
It was the 1984 ring, and it really wasn’t that hard to
part with.
Why not?
From a purely practical standpoint it wasn’t hard
because I don’t wear jewelry. The championship rings
are so large and gaudy that I never felt comfortable
with it on. On another level, the ring really wasn’t
the most important thing to me. You can always lose a
ring, but you can’t lose the championship. It was all
about the camaraderie that I shared with my teammates
and the thrill of knowing that we were the best in the
world. All of those things are greater than the ring.
This fall the Celtics will bestow upon you the highest
honor – you will have your number retired to the rafters
with all the other great Celtics. What does this honor
mean to you?
It’s a wonderful honor, and in many ways the highest
that can be bestowed on a player. I’ve given some
thought as to what I’ll say at the ceremony. My quote
will go something like this: ‘Springfield is home to
the basketball hall of fame, but the real hall of fame
is right here in Boston’. When you think of all the
great players to wear a Celtics uniform – Russell,
Cousy, Havlicek and Bird to name a few – to have your
number retired with theirs is the ultimate honor.
Much has been made of your differences with Red, and how
these may have impacted the decision to have your number
retired. You’ve since mended fences and put those
differences in the past. Will Red be in attendance at
your retirement ceremony?
I would hope so! I would not accept this honor without
Red’s blessing. We’re on good terms now. We’ve talked
about the way my Celtics career ended, and now I’m
looking forward to having my number retired.
Was it a big misunderstanding?
It was more like a father and son issue, both of us
stubborn and unwilling to give in. It was explained to
me that way – the father never goes and apologizes to
the son. I was very bitter about the way I was
portrayed, because I have a tremendous amount of
integrity. I had played hurt for the Celtics
organization on many occasions, and there was never a
time that I didn’t play hard and try to help the team
win. And then I hurt my knee. I learned then that this
was all about business, and that I couldn’t take it
personally – it was hard to have my desire and integrity
questioned, but I had to accept that part of the
business and move on.
Your broadcasting career is in high gear, and you’re
very good at what you do. How hard was it for you to
reach this level of excellence?
Radio broadcasting is very difficult – you have a very
small window of opportunity to think about what you’re
going to say, and then you have to put it in a precise,
entertaining manner. I know the game, and I love the
game, so that has really helped me to become successful
as a broadcaster.
Thank you for speaking with me – and congratulations on
receiving the Celtics’ highest honor. You are more than
deserving.
Thank you – the pleasure is mine.
