White Coach, With A Black Mind
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Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach is a legend. He's known for coaching, but a great person. Auerbach parents were Marie and Hyman Auerbach. Hyman was a Russian Jewish immigrant from Minisk. Marie was American-born. Hyman came to American, the age of 13. The married couple owned a deli, and a dry cleaning business.
Auerbach was from Williamsburgh, Brooklyn. Playing basketball was his hobby. Red hair and heavy tempered, his nickname was "Red". Auerbach attended school in Eastern District High School. Being named "Second Team All Brooklyn" is something Auerbach accomplished. Graduating in 1935, Auerbach wanted to coach.
Auerbach was accepted into George Washington University. He was successful playing basketball. Auerbach graduated with a Masters Arts Degree, in 1941. In 1941, Auerbach began coaching. He coached St. Albans School and Roosevelt High School. 1943, he joined the US Navy, coaching the Navy basketball team. Good knowledge, got Auerbach the Washington Capitals job. Auerbach first season, the Capitals made the playoffs. But lost to the Chicago Stars, in six games.
Next season, nothing improved. The Capitals went 28-20, and were eliminated. The 1948-49 season, the Capitals were great. Winning their first 15 games, and finished 38-22. They made the finals, but was defeated by the Minneapolis Lakers. Auerbach resigned, and moved on. Auerbach coached Tri-Cities Blackhawks. He rebuilt the team, and they improved. The Blackhawks still finished 28-29. Moves being made, lead to Auerbach's departure.
Auerbach decided to coach the Boston Celtics. He drafted Chuck Cooper, who was the first African-American player drafted by a NBA team. The Celtics finished 39-30. They lost in the 1951 playoffs, to the New York Knicks. The 1951-52 season, was great. Auerbach drafted guard Bill Sherman. The Celtics looked good. Young players like center Ed Macauley, guard Bob Cousy, and others. They made the playoffs, but never the finals.
In 1956, Macauley and Cliff Hagan were traded to the St. Louis Hawks, for center Bill Russell. From 1956 to 1966, the Celtics won 9 of 1o championships. Including 8 straight (longest championship streak in North American Sports). Beating the Los Angeles Lakers with Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, six times in the finals.
1966-67 season, Auerbach retired. Bill Russell become the coach (first African-American NBA coach). Auerbach was still helpfull, with his draft picks. The Celtics failed, in 1970. They went 61-103 in two seasons.
In 1979, the Celtics found life. Auerbach drafted Larry Bird, and brought confidences. The Celtics traded with the Golden State Warriors, for a draft pick. They gotten Kevin McHale, which helped their offense. The Celtics won championships, in 1981 and 1984.
Auerbach became the President and Chairman of the Celtics, in 1984. The Celtics won the championship, in 1986. Auerbach won his 16th title. Auerbach traded Gerald Henderson, for college prodigy Len Bias. Two days later, Bias died from a cocaine overdose.
Auerbach lost interest in managing. He remained as a President until 1997. In 2001, Auerbach resign as Chairman.
On October 28, 2006, Auerbach died of a heart attack. Being buried in Falls Church, Virginia. In the King David Memorial Gardens, in October 31, 2006. It was horrible, and hard to life with. His life will live on. The NBA was different, because of Auerbach.
