Red Auerbach
Arnold Jacob Auerbach arrived in the world on the 20th of September 1917. He grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as one of four children born to Marie and Hyman Auerbach. His father was a Russian-Jewish immigrant from Minsk who had arrived in America at age thirteen. The family first ran a delicatessen before switching to dry cleaning. Young Arnold spent his childhood playing basketball on local courts. He earned the nickname Red because of his distinctive flaming red hair and fiery temper. During the Great Depression, he played guard for P.S. 122 and Eastern District High School. In his senior year, the World-Telegram named him Second Team All-Brooklyn.
Walter Brown hired Auerbach before the 1950, 51 NBA season to save a struggling franchise. The Celtics had posted a 22, 46 record the year before. Auerbach selected Chuck Cooper with a second-round pick, making him the first black player drafted into the NBA. This move effectively broke the color barrier in professional basketball. The team reached the playoffs every year for five seasons but never won a title. In 1956, he acquired Bill Russell via a draft-day trade with the St. Louis Hawks. He also picked Tom Heinsohn and K.C. Jones, both future Hall of Famers. From 1957 to 1966, the Celtics won nine of ten championships. This included eight consecutive titles, the longest streak in North American sports history. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers six times during this dominant run.
Auerbach served as general manager from 1966 to 1984. He rebuilt the aging roster with shrewd picks like Dave Cowens and Jo Jo White. In 1980, he executed what became known as The Steal of The Century. He convinced the Golden State Warriors to trade Robert Parish and a number three overall pick for two other selections. With that third pick, he chose Kevin McHale, who would later join the Hall of Fame. The frontcourt of Parish, McHale, and Larry Bird became one of the greatest in NBA history. Auerbach hired Bill Fitch as head coach, leading the team to the 1981 title. He also made trades for Dennis Johnson and Bill Walton to strengthen the backcourt and bench scoring. These moves helped the Celtics win championships in 1984 and 1986.
In 1950, Auerbach drafted Chuck Cooper, the first African-American player selected by an NBA team. This pick effectively broke the color barrier in professional basketball. In 1964, he sent out the first African-American starting five in league history. The players were Bill Russell, Willie Naulls, Tom Sanders, Sam Jones, and K.C. Jones. By 1966, he appointed Bill Russell as the first African-American head coach in the four major North American sports. Earl Lloyd, the first black player to play in the NBA, said Red convinced his players that he loved them. Players wanted to please him above all else. His actions significantly decreased racial discrimination within the league over time.
Auerbach developed a reputation for psychological warfare tactics on the court. He attempted to provoke opposing players and officials with unabashed trash talk. He was ejected more often and received more fines than any other coach in NBA history. One notable incident occurred during a preseason game in 1983 when he stormed the court. He screamed nose-to-nose with Moses Malone, who stood six feet ten inches tall and weighed 260 pounds. Auerbach also popularized smoking a victory cigar whenever he thought a game was already decided. This habit became a tradition in Boston. He invented the concept of the sixth man role player. Forward Frank Ramsey and John Havlicek became two of the first legitimate sixth men in history.
Auerbach died of a heart attack on the 28th of October 2006, at age 89. He had served as president until his death after holding various executive roles since 1966. The Celtics retired his number 2 jersey in 1985 to recognize his contributions. A statue of him stands outside Quincy Market in Downtown Boston. In 2018, the team opened the Red Auerbach Center as their new practice facility. His signature now appears on the parquet floor near center court. David Stern called the void caused by his death one that would never be filled. Players like Bill Russell and Larry Bird universally hailed him as one of the greatest personalities in NBA history. He remained active into his eighties playing racquetball despite heart problems.
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Common questions
When was Arnold Jacob Auerbach born and where did he grow up?
Arnold Jacob Auerbach arrived in the world on the 20th of September 1917. He grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn as one of four children born to Marie and Hyman Auerbach.
What significant NBA draft pick did Red Auerbach make in 1950?
In 1950, Auerbach drafted Chuck Cooper with a second-round pick making him the first black player selected by an NBA team. This move effectively broke the color barrier in professional basketball.
How many championships did the Boston Celtics win under Red Auerbach between 1957 and 1966?
From 1957 to 1966 the Celtics won nine of ten championships including eight consecutive titles which stands as the longest streak in North American sports history. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers six times during this dominant run.
Who were the players in the first all-black starting five coached by Red Auerbach in 1964?
The players were Bill Russell Willie Naulls Tom Sanders Sam Jones and K.C. Jones. By 1966 he appointed Bill Russell as the first African-American head coach in the four major North American sports.
When did Arnold Jacob Auerbach die and what was his age at death?
Auerbach died of a heart attack on the 28th of October 2006 at age 89. He had served as president until his death after holding various executive roles since 1966.