Red Auerbach Remembered

SI Staff | Oct 30, 2006

Red Auerbach Remembered /

Red Auerbach Remembered

Red Auerbach, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships in the 1950s and 1960s, died Saturday. He was 89. Auerbach won 938 games with the Celtics and was the winningest coach in NBA history until Lenny Wilkens overtook him in the 1994-95 season. As general manager, the straight-talking Auerbach, who celebrated victories with a postgame cigar, was also the architect of Celtics teams that won seven more titles in the 1970s and 1980s.

Red Auerbach coaching the Celtics during a game in January 1957.

Bob Cousy (14) of the Boston Celtics is presented the basketball by Auerbach following a 1961 game at Boston Garden, where Cousy scored the 150,00th point in his NBA career.

Happy fans celebrate with Tommy Heinshon, Auerbach and Bill Russell after Celtics won their sixth consecutive NBA title in 1964.

Auerbach argues with referee Mendy Rudolph during a 1958 game.

Auerbach during a 1965 game against the L.A. Lakers.

Former Indiana State basketball star Larry Bird holds up his new Boston Celtics uniform jersey with Celtics president Auerbach at a news conference in 1979.

Auerbach celebrates Boston's victory over the Lakers for the Celtics' eighth straight championship, in 1966.

Bill Russell holds Auerbach under a shower after the Celtics beat the Lakers 95-93 for their eighth straight title.

In 1961 Auerbach had to sit out three games under a suspension he received from the commissioner. During a game between the Celtics and the New York Knicks, Auerbach sat in the dressing room and could not leave until the game was over.

Auerbach watches from the bench during a 1966 game against the Cincinnati Royals.

In his last public appearance, Auerbach was photographed on October 25th with the Lone Sailor Statue, given by the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation to Navy veterans who have done significant work in the service and in civilian life.

Published Oct 30, 2006

SI STAFF