In the cutthroat universe of the NBA, even the best can end up on the outside looking in. Cedric Maxwell spoiled with the excitement of winning seasons. In the meantime, Guy Williams has experienced the perils of playing on bad teams. Along the way, they open up about their careers, providing an intimate look at the lows and highs that shaped their respective basketball lives.
Maxwell, a former Boston Celtics star, recalls his rookie season and the wisdom passed on from experienced players such as John Havlicek. Williams, who was teammates with Michael Jordan, knows firsthand how vital character is to a team’s success. In examining their journeys, we understand how effective leadership, relentless pursuit, and solid team chemistry are essential in overcoming the rigors of the NBA’s competitive landscape.
Williams has been a member of teams that dominated their opponents, winning 60-plus games in a single season. He’s been on teams that wilted, just breaking into the teens in wins. His stories from the golden years with Michael Jordan drive home the superstar’s intense obsession with excellence and lifelong love of the game. Maxwell recalls an important experience when he was discouraged after a defeat. Curtis Rowe offered him perspective by saying, “Rook, there ain’t no Ls or Ws on them checks.” This business acumen guided Maxwell through the wild swings of his early success.
During his time with the Celtics, Maxwell secured an NBA Finals MVP title in 1981 when the team triumphed over the Houston Rockets. He attributes his success to relentless authenticity. Secondly, he listens to his parents’ advice, deciding to be the leader and not just the one who follows everybody else around.
“The best thing,” says Maxwell, “is to be your own person. As my mom and dad used to say, ‘Be a leader. Don’t be a follower.’” – Maxwell
Maxwell’s rookie season was not without its bumps. After the team plunged into a long-tail losing streak, this down spell drove him to start drinking beer by January. Although it was a tough stretch overall for the Dukes defense, Maxwell had some standout performances, like in a win over Buffalo, where he was a monster. He got a boost in faith from veteran John Havlicek who told him, “Hey, rook, just keep it up!”
“I came in that game and played really well,” says Maxwell. “And I remember [veteran Celtic] John Havlicek came up to me and said, ‘Hey, rook, just keep it going!’” – Maxwell
Not all seasons were celebratory for Maxwell. Unfortunately, as the stars of Allen’s second run grew old, he ended up on some bad Philadelphia teams in his later years that beat down his spirits. Williams expresses similar lamentations over the fate of being on losing teams.
“When you’re in a losing season – man, you can’t wait for the freaking year to end,” Williams says. “You’re showing up every day with dudes with negative attitudes who are me-first people. It’s miserable to be around them.” – Williams
Williams is convinced that the character of a team is one of the most important determinants of its success. He swears by the idea that your team’s eventual star needs to be high character and hard working. Strip away these qualities and the team is sure to struggle.
“If your star doesn’t have good character, if he doesn’t want to put in work, the preparation, the consistence,” says Williams, “if he doesn’t have resiliency, you’re going to struggle.” – Williams
Maxwell had his share of temptations, too. In the late 1970s, when drugs crept into the NBA like the plague, players were doing everything. He avoided these temptations not only because he had a strong constitution, but because he had high moral principles to guide him.
“During the late 1970s, drugs were big in the NBA,” Maxwell says. “I was asked multiple times did I want to get some coke or do some blow. But I had a strong enough constitution to know that wasn’t something I wanted.” – Maxwell
To his fellow former NBA player Xavier McDaniel, it was an experience akin to prison. He dissects how that losing caused him to form negative habits.
“When you lose,” says former NBA All-Star Xavier McDaniel, “it’s like getting a life sentence. I knew for me, losing, it started me to drink beer. Losing created a lot of bad habits. Losing can be a disease.” – McDaniel
Williams strongly asserts that nothing can replace or be a substitute for talent, but it’s more the character and makeup of the team. A lesson he learned from playing with Jordan is that everyone must step up when the superstar leads by example.
“There was nobody that had more intensity and stronger will and a passion to work than Michael Jordan,” says Williams. “Everyone has to come along if the superstar is doing it.” – Williams
Maxwell came away with some important insights from his experiences on championship teams and from teams that didn’t win it all. Legendary Celtics coach Tom Heinsohn relied on him to help right the ship during his injury plagued rookie season. Although he had a tough start to his career, with the Celtics Maxwell would find considerable success.