“Red Auerbach was buried in a simple graveside ceremony Tuesday, with Hall of Famers Bill Russell and John Thompson and commissioner David Stern among those paying last respects. About 150 family, friends and special guests attended the private burial for the NBA great at the King David Memorial Gardens in Falls Church, Va. “He had a great run,” Stern said. “He fooled us into thinking it would never end.” Auerbach, who won nine NBA titles with the Celtics as a coach and seven more as a general manager, died after a heart attack near his Washington home Saturday at age 89. The Celtics team will wear a black clover leaf on their uniforms. The clover will be inscribed with the word “Red” in green lettering.”
Red Auerbach and his Celtic teams were my heroes growing up in Mississippi. His teams won with teamwork and were a marvel to watch. I loved him for bringing Larry Bird to the Celtics in the 1980s.
I include Auerbach in the same class as my other favorite coaches:
Vince Lombardi (Driver’s Ed class always meant at least one day of watching an NFL film on the Packers);
John Wooden (Every year, you would bet your buddies who we each thought we beat the UCLA Bruins. Rarely did anyone.);
Tommy Lasorda (Everyone else rooted for the Braves – I , of course, took their rival the Dodgers).