- Press <> NBA Boards <> Advertise <> About US <> Write for us <> HOME -

MENU
> HOME
> General NBA info
> Awards
> Records
> Stats
> Player Facts
> Team Facts
> Other Leagues
> Message Board


151. Cedric Maxwell

Cedric Maxwell had an unusual journey to NBA stardom. He came from the division I school University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He was the 12th pick in the 1977 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

He played a minor roll on the Celtics his first year on the team averaging just 7 points a game. His numbers would jump to 19 points a game his sophomore season, which was one of the few good things the Celtics had going for them that year as they awaiting the signing of Larry Bird.

Maxwell became a key defender on the Celtics team, and with the addition of Larry Bird and later Robert Parish and Kevin McHale they made up one of the toughest front lines in NBA history.

The Celtics made the finals for the first time in five seasons in 1981 and face the Houston Rockets. The Celtics won the series four games to two games and Maxwell would be named NBA finals MVP. By winning the award he became the first player ever to win finals MVP before making an all-star team. Joe Dumars and Chauncy Billups would join him on that list, but Maxwell remains the only one to have never made the mid-season classic.

Despite being the lesser known big-man between Bird, McHale, and Parish, Maxwell was a started for the Celtics while McHale backed him up. He started the majority of the games at power forward for the Celtics from 79 until 86.

Maxwell would be key again for the Celtics title run in 1984. He scored 24 points in game 7 vs. the Celtics arch rival Los Angeles Lakers to help Boston win it’s second title of the 1980s.

Prior to the 85-86 season Maxwell was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Bill Walton. Maxwell would play a season and a half for the Clippers before being traded to the Houston Rockets; where he also played a season and a half. Prior to the 88-89 season Maxwell was traded to the Washington Bullets but retired before ever playing a game.

Maxwell’s #31 was retired by the Celtics in 2005 and he currently works as a radio broadcaster for the club. He has shown some interest in coaching and could take up that occupation in the near future.

150                                         Main index                                         #152