Cedric Maxwell

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Maxwell's career peaked during the Celtics' resurgence in the early 1980s. In the 1980–1981 season, joined by veterans Robert Parish and rookie Kevin McHale, Boston won the NBA championship, with Maxwell earning Finals MVP honors. He is noted as the only player eligible for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to win Finals MVP without being inducted. His playing style was defined by effectiveness near the basket; he rarely took outside jump shots, preferring to fake defenders into the air and use high-percentage hook shots or shots off the glass. This approach complemented teammates like Bird and Tiny Archibald, creating a formidable inside game that was difficult for opponents to defend.

In Their Own Story

During the decisive Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Maxwell scored 24 points in the victory. Before the game, he told his teammates to "climb on my back, boys." His competitive fire was also evident off the court; during overtime in Game 4, he mocked Laker forward James Worthy's free-throw struggles by walking across the lane with hands around his own neck, suggesting choking under pressure. He also teased Kurt Rambis prior to Game 4 by wearing Rambis's trademark glasses and intentionally missing a long-range shot in front of fans known as the "Rambis Youth." These moments highlighted his colorful personality alongside his clutch performance.

Reader's Guide

Maxwell started at small forward for the 1978–1979 season, averaging 19.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game despite Boston's 29–53 record. As Kevin McHale rose to win consecutive Sixth Man of the Year awards, a competition for the starting power forward spot ensued, with McHale eventually winning the job. Maxwell was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on September 6, 1985, in exchange for center Bill Walton and a draft pick. He played one and a half seasons there before being dealt to the Houston Rockets in January 1987. He finished his career with the Rockets, retiring after the 1987–1988 season. Over 11 seasons, he scored 10,465 points, grabbed 5,261 rebounds, and averaged 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Did You Know?

• Maxwell led UNC Charlotte to an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1977, where he was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi fraternity via the Epsilon Zeta chapter.
• His jersey number 31 was retired by the Boston Celtics on December 15, 2003, making him the 22nd former Celtic to receive this honor.
• Maxwell received his nickname 'Cornbread' from college teammate Melvin Watkins after seeing the movie 'Cornbread, Earl and Me', though it only gained widespread use after he won the 1976 NIT MVP.
• In a 2007 radio broadcast, Maxwell apologized for comments made about referee Violet Palmer, telling listeners she should 'go back to the kitchen' and 'make me some bacon and eggs.'
• Maxwell briefly coached the Long Island Surf of the United States Basketball League before starting his career as a color commentator for Celtics radio broadcasts in 2001.