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Akron Beacon Journal - DeClercq Outduels Potapenko
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[Back Home] Cavs get win in battle, as well as war
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[jobhunter] * DeClercq outduels Potapenko as traded players meet.
Even Boykins plays in 113-86 rout of Celtics
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---------- BY CHRIS TOMASSON
Published Beacon Journal staff writer
Wednesday,
March 24, 1999, Yes, the Andrew DeClercq-Vitaly Potapenko battle in the
in the Akron pivot held their attention. But the fans last night at
Beacon Journal. Gund Arena got most worked up about a little guy.
----------
Midway through the fourth period, the chants started:
The Ohio Directory ``We want Earl. We want Earl.'' The fans were calling
Search for for the Cavaliers' 5-foot-5 guard Earl Boykins, the
Ohio-based Web second-shortest player in NBA history.
Sites
Boykins finally was inserted into the game with 4:27
left, and he put the exclamation point on a resounding
113-86 win over the Boston Celtics. In the final
minute, he dribbled around as the shot clock wound
down, then nailed a 15-foot jumper over 7-2 Dwayne
Schintzius.
``No matter how small you are, it's the size of your
heart that matters,'' said Cavs forward Shawn Kemp.
All the Cavs had hearts last night. Virtually every
player who brought a uniform had a big game.
Six players were in double figures, with guard Wesley
Person's 19 and Kemp's 17 leading the way. Forward
Corie Blount had 11 points and 11 rebounds as the Cavs'
bench outscored the Boston reserves 51-25.
The Celtics (8-16) never were in the game after falling
behind by 16 points at halftime, but the fans weren't
going anywhere.
Not with the Cavs (13-11) running and dunking as if
this were a game out of the 1970s.
Not with the thought that Boykins would get into the
game.
Not with reserves such as Mitchell Butler and Bob Sura
driving in for reverse layups against what Boston coach
Rick Pitino called ``humiliating defense.''
And not with DeClercq looking like the second coming of
Gus Johnson.
Many thought the Cavs had acquired a land-locked player
when Potapenko was traded to Boston March 11 for
DeClercq and a first-round draft choice. Hardly.
DeClercq had five dunks, two coming on alley-oop
passes. In 22 minutes, he had 16 points, one shy of his
career high.
``My legs are starting to come back,'' DeClercq said.
``I'm starting to get more comfortable (with the
Cavs).''
DeClercq didn't predict victory in his duel with
Potapenko. In fact, with draws being chic these days,
it would be appropriate to call this meeting a draw:
Potapenko had 10 points and 12 rebounds in a solid 34
minutes.
``I just tried to win the game and tried to help get
the W, but we couldn't do it,'' Potapenko said. ``It
was strange (coming back to Cleveland). But once the
game started, there was nothing real strange.''
Frontcourt mate Antoine Walker helped Potapenko out
with 22 points and nine rebounds. But the rest of the
members of Boston's gang of green looked as if they had
gangrene.
And after watching the Cavs shoot 58.4 percent for the
game, Pitino's face was red.
``I've seen the Washington Generals play defense better
than that,'' said Pitino, whose team lost for the ninth
time in 10 games. ``There reaches a point, though, I
won't be humiliated.
``Yes, it's all well and good that next year is next
year, but I'm going to watch this film and if people
are humiliating the Boston Celtics . . . they're not
going to play anymore. It's as simple as that . . .
I've reached my breaking point.''
``I told (the team) that I could get a CBA team to play
better than they are playing on the defensive end. I
really believe that. I really believe that I can take a
CBA team and win more games than these guys.''
Well, Boykins has spent most of the season in the CBA,
and after being let go by the Cavs last Friday, he was
ready to rejoin Rockford for the league playoffs. Then
yesterday, the Cavs signed him to a second 10-day
contract.
``I heard the fans,'' Boykins said. ``I was very
appreciative. It's great to have a chance to play in
front of family and friends and with a great
organization like this.''
Maybe it was in doubt who won a certain matchup between
6-foot-10 players. As for those in the 5-5 division, it
was no contest.
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