The Sam Vincent Interview
By:
Michael D. McClellan
|
Monday, May 15th,
2006
The 1985 NBA Draft promised plenty of excitement, with Patrick Ewing a lock at Number 1, and players such as Xavier McDaniel, Chris Mullin and Karl Malone making it one of the deepest talent pools in years. Vincent’s presence added to the intrigue. He was big-name guard from a big-time program, and he had proven himself against some of the best competition in the country. The Celtics, sitting at No. 20, expected Vincent to go far earlier, possibly to the Chicago Bulls at No. 11. The slide was as surprising as it was unexpected, and Boston suddenly found itself in position to nab the Michigan State star. Torn between Vincent and the relatively unknown Terry Porter from Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Celtic management opted for the player with the Big Ten résumé and the All-American credentials. And just like that, Vincent found himself playing on an historic team with serious championship aspirations. It was at once a blessing and a curse, and in many ways the ultimate Catch-22: While landing on a great team loaded with veteran talent meant a chance to compete for a title, it also meant that minutes would not come easily.
"Sam joined a veteran team looking to win now,” recalls center Robert Parish. “He wanted to play, and he wanted to contribute, just like any young player coming into the league. I think it was hard for him to sit and watch, especially at first. But as the year went on he gradually accepted his role on the team.”
With salary negations stalled, Vincent stayed at home and prepared for an extended holdout. He didn’t stay in playing shape, something that hurt his progress in training camp once the contract issues were resolved. Still, it was hard not to be excited by the prospect of playing with guys like Parish, Bird and Kevin McHale. A healthy Bill Walton, who had arrived that summer via trade, also had the city buzzing. The Celtics were loaded, and they were determined to make amends for the Finals loss to the Lakers just a few months before.
“We were focused,” said former teammate Scott Wedman. “We came to training camp on a mission. We were sorry to see Cedric [Maxwell] leave, but the trade produced Bill Walton. He brought and incredible amount of low-post intensity to the team. Once the season started, the rest of the league got a chance to see that we were going to be pretty special.”
A season-opening, 113-109 road loss to the New Jersey Nets may have started things off on the wrong foot, but the Celtics did little else wrong the rest of the way. An eight-game winning streak followed that Meadowlands defeat, including a 124-105 trouncing of the rival Pistons in Detroit. That game in particular was something of a low-water mark for Vincent, who had hoped to play, and play well, in front of family and friends back home. Despite the blowout, head coach KC Jones didn’t play his rookie point guard until just over two minutes remained in the fourth quarter. Coach and pupil talked afterward, with Jones explaining the Celtic Way, at times in not so subtle terms. He pointed to the veteran roster and the abundance of guards on the team, and explained that the team historically didn’t give playing time to untested rookies. Minutes – and trust – were earned during practice. Vincent understood where his coach was coming from, but he also felt much like the college graduate trying to land that first job – unable to contribute due to a lack of professional experience, and yet eager to contribute in any way possible. The conflict would plague him during his entire career as a Boston Celtic.
“It was hard not getting the minutes that I expected, but it was special to practice against guys like Larry Bird and Dennis Johnson,” said Vincent. “Every day was like playoff basketball. Every day you’re going up against superstars like Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and Bill Walton. It doesn’t take you long to figure out how fortunate you are to be a part of something like that. In the years since, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the thrill of playing with all of those Hall-of-Fame players. It was a truly great ride.”
The Celtics finished the regular season with a 67-15 record and then stormed through the playoffs, the Houston Rockets nothing more than a speed bump on the road to basketball glory. Vincent celebrated the Celtics’ record 16th championship with the rest of his teammates, slapping high-fives and drinking champagne inside the jubilant locker room, and his appreciation for that transcendent journey into NBA history has only grown stronger through the years. Traded to Seattle, and then traded again to the Chicago Bulls, Vincent became just one of four players to play with both Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. Left unprotected by the Bulls in the 1988 expansion draft, Vincent suddenly found himself the property of the Orlando Magic. He played three seasons there, before a trade to Milwaukee and an Achilles tendon injury short-circuited his dream of returning to the NBA Finals. He retired, played some basketball overseas, and then discovered a passion for coaching. In addition to coaching gigs in the NBA Developmental League, Vincent began working with African basketball teams in 1997, starting in South Africa. In 2004, he served as the head coach of the Nigerian Women’s Olympic Basketball Team. From Lansing to Boston to Nigeria and beyond, Vincent’s life and career has been a thrill ride indeed.
Celtic Nation is honored to bring you this interview.