Davis
accepts relief role with Pacers
NBA Central by Bill Nichols
Cleveland- Next to cutting a player who has become a friend, the toughest job for an NBA coach is to convince a starter that he is more valuable coming off the bench. The Indiana Pacers’ Jack McKinney, a master psychologist, has pulled it off.
McKinney, the NBA’s Coach of the Year last season, has
inserted 10-year veteran Don Buse into the starting backcourt
and put speedball Johnny Davis into a relief role. It has worked.
Buse started the final three exhibitions, all Pacers victories.
When the bell rang, Buse still was a starter and Indiana won
its first two games of the regular season.
“It’s tough to keep John out of the starting lineup,” says McKinney, “but we seem to be moving so well with that rotation. Boo (Buse) gets us off to a good start and Johnny has been playing well and scoring well when he comes in.”
Because of McKinney and because of the results, Davis has accepted
his role.
“It doesn’t matter to me whether I start or come
off the bench.” said Davis, a six-year NBA veteran and
starter for the Pacers the past three seasons.
“However McKinney feels I can best help the club, I’m
more than willing to do it. All I want to do is win.
“Jack’s a good coach. All he’s doing is playing
the cards he was dealt. That’s the only way to do it.
I’m a Jack McKinney fan and whatever he wants to do I’m
for it.”
Buse, who started just four games last season, was surprised by the change.
Buse made his debut this season as a starter in an exhibition game at Evansville University, his alma mater. The Pacers won that night, the chemistry was there and he remained in the lineup.
“It was pretty surprising, but we played pretty good that way,” said Buse, “J.D. (Davis) is scoring pretty good coming off the bench.
“I don’t think it changes my role any. I don’t think they are looking for me to score a bunch of points. I may be averaging 20 minutes this year, but I averaged 18 last season.”
* * *
Rumors bounced around Cleveland after the Cavaliers’ season-opening loss at Philadelphia about forward Mike Mitchell being on the trading block. There was talk of Mitchell going to Chicago for reluctant rookie Orlando Woolridge, who wasn’t signed.
Philly offered veteran Steve Mix and rookie Franklin Edwards.
Houston and Los Angeles also made pitches.
Cavs owner Ted Stepien halted the speculation. “There
has been a lot of interest in Mitchell,” said Stepien,
“but he’s staying right here.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere,” said the All-Star forward who averaged 24.5 points per game last season. “I love it in Cleveland. I don’t like to even think about a trade. In fact, if Cleveland does trade me, I’m going to be very upset.” . . . Forward Kenny Carr was in the Cavs’ doghouse because of a poor exhibition season and started the regular campaign on the bench in favor of journeyman Richard Washington. The exile lasted one game. Carr, the NBA’s No. 6 rebounder last season (10.6) started the second game, a victory at Dallas. . . . The Cavs probably will sign forward Scott May, released by Chicago. The Cavs, to make room for May, are trying to move forward Don Ford. May is healthy, according to Chicago sources, but supposedly had a falling out with Bulls Coach Jerry Sloan.
Sidney Moncrief, a career guard, played the first two games of the season for Milwaukee at small forward. He scored 22 and 29 points in his two starts, then returned to the bench as the third guard. . . . Junior Bridgeman, out with injuries, missed the first two Milwaukee games but came back to play small forward in the absence of holdout Marques Johnson.
The Bucks signed free agent Bobby Dandridge, who was upset because Washington didn’t renegotiate his contract. He was accused of faking a back injury. So the Bucks will pay him $4,000 for every game he plays and $400 more for those he sits out.
This article by Bill Nichols
appeared in The Sporting News November 21, 1981
Reproduced with permission of the author.