http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/47571.html
Ailene Voisin: When it came to winning, Auerbach smoked 'em
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Last Updated 12:38 am PST Monday, October 30, 2006
Red Auerbach would have been disappointed, but he would have appreciated the irony. Although he didn't live long enough to celebrate his 90th birthday -- his final goal, according to close friends -- he left the building without having to endure the sight of cheerleaders prancing around the parquet floor, with his beloved Boston Celtics holding their noses and finally, belatedly, joining the NBA crowd.
Had he been alive for the season opener -- and the debut of the dancers -- Red would have choked on his cigar. He would have cussed and complained and, as always, commanded an audience. The man was a master of the theatrical arts, a curmudgeonly character who bullied, cajoled, charmed and coached his way into becoming pro basketball's most influential figure, and perhaps most importantly, an unwitting facilitator of social and cultural change.
As the tributes continue and the eulogy nears, most of the attention undoubtedly will be given to Auerbach's genius as coach and talent evaluator. In quick succession, he both wrote and obliterated the record books. He won nine NBA titles (matched only by Phil Jackson), coached 14 Hall of Famers, mentored 30 current or former head coaches and repeatedly outmaneuvered his colleagues for the likes of Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. He was legendary and notoriously tight-fisted; long before the salary cap, Red imposed his own limits on paychecks.
"Red was the smartest basketball man I have ever known," said former Celtic Paul Silas, reached on his cell phone. "One time he said to me, 'Paul, I'll always be on top because there are a lot of bad executives in this league.' He also knew players would take less money to play for the Celtics, so he knew how to take advantage of situations, both in the back rooms and on the court."
When the 24-second clock was implemented in 1956, the year he acquired Russell, Auerbach immediately replaced his methodical offense with the classic fast break. The system evolved -- anchored first by Russell, then Dave Cowens and later Robert Parish, and endured largely because an effective up-tempo offense has less to do with speed than the basics of rebounding, immediately advancing the ball with the pass and assembling a roster of intelligent, versatile, unselfish players.
"Red kept it simple," said Don Nelson, another former Celtic, when reached by telephone. "He was a great teacher, great motivator. Everything good that ever happened to me as a player or coach was because of Red. And all that stuff you hear about Celtic pride, it really pulls you in."
Those of us who spent time with Auerbach these past two decades, experienced the highs and lows (and stench) of old Boston Garden, can attest to his fierce competitiveness, occasionally outlandish behavior and imprudent, at times even crude, outbursts.
Yet he remained listed in the Washington, D.C., phone book and never hid from the public; calls to his home were welcome. "Whadda ya need?" he would ask, gruffly, then spend hours chatting about the game.
We also witnessed the perpetuation of a philosophy -- imparted by Auerbach -- that years earlier established the NBA as the most progressive of the major professional sports leagues. Red not only changed the game, he changed our world.
During a time (1940s-60s) of overt racial discrimination, he stood apart from the crowd. As coach and general manager of the Celtics, Auerbach drafted the first African American player (Chuck Cooper), hired the first African American head coach (Russell) and introduced the first all-black lineup. Additionally, to further his intense belief that diversity enhances rather than divides, he insisted that his players room with members of the other race. Nelson roomed with Don Chaney, Silas with Havlicek, Russell with Bob Cousy.
"Red was ahead of his time in so many ways," Silas said.
Perhaps the most fitting tribute was offered a decade ago by Lenny Wilkens, the former Atlanta Hawks coach who surpassed Auerbach's record for regular-season victories on Jan. 6, 1995. As the confetti streamed from the rafters that night at the old Omni, an assistant handed Wilkens a cigar. The distinguished coach -- an African American who had dreamed of being a Celtic and considered Auerbach his idol -- lit the cigar and said later, in a quiet moment, "That was for Red."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com
Ailene Voisin: When it came to winning, Auerbach smoked 'em
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Last Updated 12:38 am PST Monday, October 30, 2006
Red Auerbach would have been disappointed, but he would have appreciated the irony. Although he didn't live long enough to celebrate his 90th birthday -- his final goal, according to close friends -- he left the building without having to endure the sight of cheerleaders prancing around the parquet floor, with his beloved Boston Celtics holding their noses and finally, belatedly, joining the NBA crowd.
Had he been alive for the season opener -- and the debut of the dancers -- Red would have choked on his cigar. He would have cussed and complained and, as always, commanded an audience. The man was a master of the theatrical arts, a curmudgeonly character who bullied, cajoled, charmed and coached his way into becoming pro basketball's most influential figure, and perhaps most importantly, an unwitting facilitator of social and cultural change.
As the tributes continue and the eulogy nears, most of the attention undoubtedly will be given to Auerbach's genius as coach and talent evaluator. In quick succession, he both wrote and obliterated the record books. He won nine NBA titles (matched only by Phil Jackson), coached 14 Hall of Famers, mentored 30 current or former head coaches and repeatedly outmaneuvered his colleagues for the likes of Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. He was legendary and notoriously tight-fisted; long before the salary cap, Red imposed his own limits on paychecks.
"Red was the smartest basketball man I have ever known," said former Celtic Paul Silas, reached on his cell phone. "One time he said to me, 'Paul, I'll always be on top because there are a lot of bad executives in this league.' He also knew players would take less money to play for the Celtics, so he knew how to take advantage of situations, both in the back rooms and on the court."
When the 24-second clock was implemented in 1956, the year he acquired Russell, Auerbach immediately replaced his methodical offense with the classic fast break. The system evolved -- anchored first by Russell, then Dave Cowens and later Robert Parish, and endured largely because an effective up-tempo offense has less to do with speed than the basics of rebounding, immediately advancing the ball with the pass and assembling a roster of intelligent, versatile, unselfish players.
"Red kept it simple," said Don Nelson, another former Celtic, when reached by telephone. "He was a great teacher, great motivator. Everything good that ever happened to me as a player or coach was because of Red. And all that stuff you hear about Celtic pride, it really pulls you in."
Those of us who spent time with Auerbach these past two decades, experienced the highs and lows (and stench) of old Boston Garden, can attest to his fierce competitiveness, occasionally outlandish behavior and imprudent, at times even crude, outbursts.
Yet he remained listed in the Washington, D.C., phone book and never hid from the public; calls to his home were welcome. "Whadda ya need?" he would ask, gruffly, then spend hours chatting about the game.
We also witnessed the perpetuation of a philosophy -- imparted by Auerbach -- that years earlier established the NBA as the most progressive of the major professional sports leagues. Red not only changed the game, he changed our world.
During a time (1940s-60s) of overt racial discrimination, he stood apart from the crowd. As coach and general manager of the Celtics, Auerbach drafted the first African American player (Chuck Cooper), hired the first African American head coach (Russell) and introduced the first all-black lineup. Additionally, to further his intense belief that diversity enhances rather than divides, he insisted that his players room with members of the other race. Nelson roomed with Don Chaney, Silas with Havlicek, Russell with Bob Cousy.
"Red was ahead of his time in so many ways," Silas said.
Perhaps the most fitting tribute was offered a decade ago by Lenny Wilkens, the former Atlanta Hawks coach who surpassed Auerbach's record for regular-season victories on Jan. 6, 1995. As the confetti streamed from the rafters that night at the old Omni, an assistant handed Wilkens a cigar. The distinguished coach -- an African American who had dreamed of being a Celtic and considered Auerbach his idol -- lit the cigar and said later, in a quiet moment, "That was for Red."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com
