The Red Auerbach Interview
By:
Michael D. McClellan
|
Wednesday, August 28th, 2002
Russell and Havlicek are both deeply woven into the fabric of both the Celtics and the NBA – Russell for his defensive prowess and unbelievable winning percentage with all the chips down, and Havlicek for his longevity and the biggest steal in league history, this in the 1965 Eastern Conference finals against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Radio announcer Johnny Most: "Greer is putting the ball into play. He gets it out deep. Havlicek steals it. Over to Sam Jones. Havlicek stole the ball! It's all over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball!"
The steal kept alive Boston’s amazing run of consecutive NBA championships, a streak that would reach eight before the 76ers toppled Boston in 1967. Auerbach, of course, would go out a winner in 1966 – a nine-time championship coach and a lock for the Hall of Fame.
Auerbach named Russell as his replacement on the bench, even though Russell was three years away from retirement. As player/coach, Russell would lead the Celtics to two more championships while Auerbach worked exclusively in the front office.
Now focused solely on his role as General Manager, Auerbach went about the work of constructing his next group of champions. His 1969 selection of All-American guard Jo Jo White was followed by the 1970 selection of Florida State center Dave Cowens. Cowens finished the 1972-73 season averaging 20.5 points and 16.5 rebounds per game, and was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player. With Havlicek, White and Cowens playing at full throttle, the Celtics added to their trove of championships by winning it all in 1974 and again in 1976.
By the late seventies, the Celtics were slumping and many inside the NBA considered Auerbach a dinosaur, unable to keep up with the leagues young power brokers. Auerbach proved them wrong by drafting Larry Bird as a junior eligible in 1978. Many scoffed at the selection, questioning why Auerbach would wait a year on a great college player who many projected as an average-at-best pro. Along with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird saved the NBA from its darkest days and helped propel the league to the international success that it enjoys today – all the while becoming one of the greatest players in history. Auerbach followed this masterstroke with another just two years later, dealing Boston’s two first round picks to Golden State in exchange for underachieving center Robert Parish and the third pick in the draft, which he used to select Minnesota’s Kevin McHale. The “Big Three” was born, and the heist earned Auerbach the 1980 NBA Executive of the Year award.
Bird, McHale and Parish would win championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986, and the cigar-chomping Auerbach was right there to enjoy each and every one. He is still there, still relevant after all these years, giving advice to Celtics players and brass alike. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Boston Celtics, and still scouts for the team on occasion. Current Celtics coach Jim O’Brien calls him frequently for advice, but Auerbach is clear to point out that he doesn’t interfere. He answers questions when asked, but otherwise stays out of such matters.
His trips to Boston are less frequent now – Auerbach has lived in Washington, D.C. since 1936 – although he could be seen at the Fleet Center during Boston’s stirring 2002 playoff run. After ending the longest playoff drought in club history, the Celtics seem to be back on the road to respectability.
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