A LOOK AT THE KEY CELTICS

LARRY BIRD, 28, 6-9, F--Instead of being a basketball player who is a great competitor, he is a great competitor who happens to be a basketball player. The sport is incidental. Of a recent five-mile fun run, Bird said, “I wasn’t trying to go out and win the race, not that I couldn’t have won if I’d wanted to.” . . . Bird said last week that the only way to determine a true NBA champion is if the two finalists play seven games in seven days. Because of the way he taunts them on the court, he probably won’t be the best man at any of his opponents’ weddings, but there is no one in the game who commands more respect. He is always looking for an edge. . . . Even though he has injuries to his right ankle, his right elbow and the index finger on his right hand, he refuses to use them as excuses for his sub-par shooting and rebounding in the playoffs. Besides, he still finds ways to win games, such as in Game 5 of the series against Philadelphia Wednesday night, when he made a steal to preserve a two-point victory.

ROBERT PARISH, 31, 7-0 1/2, C--The Chief, perennially one of the league’s best centers during the regular season, usually disappears in the playoffs. He becomes Sitting Bull. The Celtics have always excused him, saying that he faded because the officials allow more contact in the playoffs. They said Bob Lanier or Moses Malone or whomever was matched against him was allowed to push him around. Last year, they said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pushed him around. Come on. Nobody east of Danny Schayes is that much of a pushover. But this year, no excuses have been necessary. He thoroughly outplayed Malone in the Eastern Conference finals.

KEVIN McHALE, 27, 6-10, F--His teammates jokingly call him Sid Vicious because of his flying tackle of Kurt Rambis during last year’s finals. McHale is hardly an intimidator, but neither will he back down from anyone. He and Malone almost came to blows twice in the Philadelphia series. Because of his long, lanky body and arms that come down almost to his knees, he is the most difficult player on the team to defend against, especially when he gets to his favorite spot at the offensive end. . . . For obvious reasons, fans on the road call him Lurch. . . . He is playing better than ever before in the playoffs, which he attributes to the fact he is a starter for the first time in his career.

DENNIS JOHNSON, 30, 6-4, G--Called a cancer in Seattle and charged with insubordination in Phoenix, D.J. has been the cure for the Celtics’ back-court woes. Last season, he was tentative while trying to blend with his new teammates. This season, he has become a true Celtic, for better and worse. When 76er rookie Charles Barkley did a dance of frustration Wednesday night after he was called for a foul, Johnson followed behind him, mimicking his every step. Except for perhaps Parish, Johnson has been the Celtics’ MVP in the playoffs. “He’s the best player I’ve ever played with,” Bird says. . . . D.J. will become a free agent at the end of the season. If he can handle Magic Johnson in the finals, he’s probably going to be able to ask for $1 million a year.

DANNY AINGE, 26, 6-5, G--He’s the Beaver to Larry Bird’s Wally, the Celtics’ little brother. But even though Ainge was always getting in trouble last season by trying to do too much, he’s playing in control this season. He’s easily the most improved Celtic, wisely staying out of the way of Bird, Parish and McHale while waiting for them to feed him for an open shot. When he’s hitting, they don’t hesitate to get the ball to him. When he’s not, they know to shut him out. . . . One of the quickest players on the team, he will have a chance to prove himself in this series against Byron Scott. “Danny’s the key for us,” Bird says. “If he can hold Byron Scott, we’ll win.” He’s tougher than he looks, taking on Malone for a crucial offensive rebound in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. Don’t underestimate him.

SCOTT WEDMAN, 32, 6-7, G-F--For some reason, K.C. Jones was reluctant to use Wedman last season. That left the Celtics without a consistent scorer when Bird and McHale were out of the game. But Wedman has filled that role this season, playing small forward when Bird is out of the game and the shooting guard when Ainge is on the bench. . . . He’s an all-natural fanatic, even to the extent of carrying his own bottled water on trips.

CEDRIC MAXWELL, 29, 6-8, F--Because he is still rehabilitating from knee surgery, he has been limited to about 10 ineffective minutes a game. “I won’t be back to full strength this season, but I’ve got to go with what I’ve got,” he says. When he’s healthy, he’s a decent scorer and a tough, smart defensive player.

RAY WILLIAMS, 30, 6-3, G--With the Celtics for only a couple of months, he’s still trying to find his role. An explosive scorer, he had nine points in five minutes Wednesday night before leaving the game with an injured ankle. But he’s inconsistent. . . . His affections are split now between basketball and his New Jersey home, where he has had trouble finding a caretaker for his two dogs and two birds. . . . He’s not a true Celtic.

QUINN BUCKNER, 30, 6-3, G--The best thing that can be said about Buckner is that he plays within his limitations. He’s not a good shooter, so he seldom shoots, instead setting up Bird, Parish and McHale.