Arnold Auerbach

I'm not certain if the usual readers of my blog know this name. One I know would know is preoccupied with family and studies, and refuses to go near a blog. Yes, that would be the redhead.

Arnold has been known to all of New England as 'Red,' and today, he left us.

Arguably the greatest coach in the history of basketball, gruff at times, Red knew and exercised long before it was fashionable, an approach to sports - make that people management - that was rooted in knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each person and personality. He knew some had to be pushed, some had to be stroked, and he cared about everyone that past through his employ.

The result was a team, the only pro sports team, to win 8 consecutive championships. It would have been more but for an injury to his star center, Bill Russell in 1958, prior to the 8 year run... else it would have been 10.

Red knew that human beings were human beings, and that they were not cattle, to be herded and forced to your will. Instead, he communicated on the level of each player with each player. He would go to Russell, whom he knew to be emotionally tough, arrange with him to use him as a target to his locker room rants, and then stage a chewing out in front of the team. Team would see this, see the best player getting his arse chewed, and that was their cue to know they all would be treated fairly.

As players retired, it was quite common for them to be seen around Boston Garden, calling on Red, someone they loved. In turn, Red loved them.

Whilst his players loved him, opponents were made crazy by him. Known for his cigar as sign of victory, opposing teams would see his stogie fire up, all the while knowing there was nothing they could do, his team was the best in the history of the sport. 

Growing up a basketball fan, albeit my Celtic interest coming at the tail end of their 11 in 13 run, it was fun to watch the master work his trade, even after retiring as a coach, taking to running the team from the office.

Russell and Sam Jones retired in 1969 after the 11th, and the team subsequently suffered through a losing season in 1970. It did not last long. By 1973, the Celtics were back, and but for a shoulder separation to John Havlicek, would have won another. No matter, this they did in 1974 and 1976, as well as 1981, 1984, and 1986.

The man is a hero of epic proportions in the city of Boston, and in fact in all of New England. This story will be prominent in our news over the next few days.

Goodbye, Red... and thank you.

Note... photo from boston.com