The Red Auerbach Interview
By:
Michael D. McClellan
|
Wednesday, August 28th, 2002
And with that, the Godfather of the Boston Celtics informs me that he’s through with the interview. He’s busy, he say’s again, and he has to go. I thank him for his time and ask him to answer one last question. He acknowledges this in a way that catches me completely off guard; it’s the most disarmingly cordial of salutations, and I realize that I’ve earned a small measure of his trust. I grip the phone, knowing exactly how fortunate I’ve been to have had this conversation with Arnold “Red” Auerbach. Yes, the man is as sharp – in mind and tongue – as ever. He clearly enjoys talking about the Boston Celtics, even after all these years, even on the verge of his 85th birthday.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Final
Question, one that I’ve been asking your former
players: You’ve
achieved great success in your life.
You are universally respected and admired by many
people, both inside and outside of the NBA. If you
could offer one piece of advice on life to others, what
would that be?
I don’t have one piece of
advice – how can there only be one?
A lot constitutes toward being successful.
I’d say that you’ve got to be willing to pay
the price, that’s the most important thing.
And then there are the other things that count
– promptness, integrity, honesty, respect.
Those things are all part of the package.
