
He has received seven honorary degrees from various institutions. On Red's 68th birthday, September 20, 1985, a life-size sculpture of Auerbach was unveiled and placed in Boston's historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace so the public would have a lasting tribute to this basketball genius and legend. Januwill always be a special day in Red's heart and in Boston sports history, as it was on this day that the Celtics family saluted its patriarch by having the number "2” retired in his honor (emblematic as the second most influential person in the organization's annals similarly, the number "1” is dedicated to the team's founder, Walter Brown). In 1985, the Red Auerbach Fund, established in the great coach's name, was created to promote athletic, recreational, and other youth development activities in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Also in that year, he was selected to the NBA's 35th Anniversary Team as "Greatest Coach in the History of the NBA,” by the PBWAA. Red was also honored as NBA Coach of the Year in 1965, winning the trophy that now bears his name and NBA Executive of the Year in 1980. In 1982, he was elected to the Washington Hall of Stars, a Hall of Fame which involves people from all sports. When the NBA chose its Silver Anniversary Team honoring the best of the league's first 25 years, Red was chosen as coach of that distinguished team. In 1968, he was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA for all his successes. Boston added two more titles in 19 thanks to the master's keen additions of Danny Ainge, Dennis Johnson, Bill Walton, and others.Īuerbach has been the recipient of numerous distinguished awards and honors throughout his career. In 1981, Boston became the NBA champions again as Auerbach orchestrated another amazing trade, this time dealing the first and 13th picks in the 1981 draft to Golden State for Robert Parish and the third overall pick (Kevin McHale).

Five other teams had a shot at Bird, but all passed.


Although he would have to wait a year before Bird could play in the NBA, Auerbach sensed that the Indiana native was the man to rejuvenate the proud organization. Yet Auerbach once again saved the franchise with the shrewd selection of Larry Bird in the 1978 draft. It was the subsequent years that would provide Auerbach with his biggest challenge, as the late '70s proved to be a dismal period for the Celtics. After a down period in the early 1970s, Auerbach restructured the team, adding key personnel through trades and the draft, and ultimately raised banners in 19. In 19, the Celtics added two more titles. With Red's guidance and knowledge, the Celtics continued to win. Prior to the 1966-67 season, the "coach” removed himself from the bench in order to concentrate on his duties as General Manager, and appointed Bill Russell as player-coach. His incredible record was 938-479 (.662) in regular-season play and an equally impressive 99-69 (.589) in post-season encounters. From 1950-1966, Auerbach coached the Celtics to nine world titles, including eight in succession from 1959-1966.
#Red arbuck boston celtics pro#
This blockbuster trade would spur the Celtics into the most dominant franchise in pro basketball history and helped spawn the legend that is Auerbach and the Celtics.

Louis for the Hawks' first-round pick with that selection, the Celtics chose Bill Russell. At this point, Walter Brown, who owned the struggling Boston Celtics, appointed Auerbach as the man to lead the squad into what would ultimately become the greatest franchise in pro basketball annals.Īuerbach carefully crafted a competitive team, and his moves culminated with an Aptransaction that sent Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan to St. The Boston Celtics organization has dedicated the 2006-07 season in his memory.Īuerbach spent the first three seasons of his pro career with the Washington Capitols before moving on to the Tri-Cities Hawks for one campaign. Red had been a part of the Celtics family for 57 years and he had been a part of the National Basketball Association for 60 years, never missing the opening of a season. Just prior to the beginning of the 2006-07 season, Arnold ‘Red' Auerbach passed away in his hometown of Washington, DC on Oct.
