The Sam Vincent Interview
By:
Michael D. McClellan
|
Monday, May 15th,
2006
On
April 20th, 1986, the Boston Celtics hosted the Chicago Bulls in Game 2 of their
opening round playoff series. When it was over the Celtics had a commanding 2-0
series lead, but the game really belonged to Michael Jordan. Please take me
back to Michael’s 63-point coming out party.
It
was a very special performance. I think we came into that game feeling like we
were the more mature team, the better team, and the more confident team. We
knew that we were playing a younger team, and one that was clearly
up-and-coming. We also knew that Michael Jordan was going to be something
special. The thing that stands out now is the shear variety of shots that he
made, from everywhere on the court. It wasn’t just jumpers, and it wasn’t just
dunks. He was everywhere on the court. He was hitting bank shots, shots in
traffic, shots with guys draped all over him. He was making moves that left
guys flat-footed. It was just an outstanding performance by a truly special
player.
The
Celtics stormed through the playoffs, meeting the Houston Rockets in the
1986 NBA Finals. What was it like for you to be on the biggest stage in
basketball?
It
was an absolutely great feeling. But being a rookie, and in awe of where I
was and the guys that I was playing with, I had a hard time fully
appreciating the situation. I didn’t fully understand how special an
opportunity that was for me. I look back now with incredible pride, because
it was an honor to be a teammate to such a talented group of players.
That
series included the memorable for fight between Jerry Sichting and Ralph
Sampson in Game 5. Sampson was rudely welcomed back in Boston for Game 6,
where fans booed him mercilessly and held up signs that read ‘Sampson is a
sissy’. What was the mood of the team in the locker room prior to that
title-clinching Game 6, and was there ever any doubt that the series would
end with this game?
I
don’t know that we were so confident that we felt the series was going to
end, but the mood of the team was one of incredible focus. We were very
energetic, and motivated to take care of business. There was a very tough
energy in that locker room, and a very deep focus on the part of all our
guys. We were definitely prepared to play.
With
exactly eleven minutes left in regulation, Larry Bird passed up an inside
shot and instead sprinted for the three-point line. His shot became the
signature moment of the signature game in the series, and provided the
knockout blow that the team and its title-hungry fans. Please take me
Larry’s performance in Game 6.
Like
always, you expected Larry to come out and take tough shots – and make tough
shots. He was our leader, and the guy you went to when things were dire,
and he responded like a true superstar in that game. I think he was the
most focused player in that game, and he wanted to make a statement with the
world watching. That particular play is a prime example of how well focused
he was, and how determined he was to achieve his goal of winning another
championship. He knew all of his options available to him on that play, and
he had the presence of mind to navigate beyond the three-point line and
deliver that killer blow.
