Arnold “Red” Auerbach, the undisputed architect of the greatest basketball franchise ever, decided to step down from coaching after the 1966 playoffs to move into the front office full-time. What a bombshell! He didn’t just quietly fade away, either. This legend, who practically invented the victory cigar and has the Coach of the Year trophy named after him, announced his plans in preseason and literally told his opponents they had “one last crack at me.” Talk about a mic drop before the season even started.
The Legend’s Last Ride: Records That Still Stand Tall
Red Auerbach was more than just a coach; he spent nearly six decades in Boston, pulling off legendary trades and leading the franchise to endless achievements. The guy was an influencer on civil rights, too, making his impact felt far beyond the court. He coached for 20 NBA seasons, the last 16 in Boston, and accumulated an insane 938 regular season wins and 99 playoff victories. That’s an overall record of 1,037-548, good for a .654 winning percentage! He won more than anyone in the NBA when he retired, holding records that honestly still stand. His eight consecutive titles with the Celtics? That’s not just a record; it’s an unbreakable one. We’re talking about a guy associated with winning 16 NBA championships in his 89 years. His exit from coaching was a huge deal, and the league definitely felt it.
A Tough Grind and a New Face
That 1966 regular season wasn’t a cakewalk, though. For the first time in 10 years, Boston didn’t win the Eastern Division. They finished with a 54-26 record, but the results were super uneven throughout the schedule. Their longest win streak came at the very end, hitting six straight, but the Philadelphia 76ers still edged them out by one win. Think about it: many of the original core were gone, either retired or moved on, and the Sixers were really starting to pick up steam. The Celtics still boasted the league’s best defense, no question, but their offensive rating was stuck way down next to last. Even with all that motivation to “win one for Red” on his way out, that kind of pressure can really drain a team. Going for an eighth straight title? Even more draining, no doubt. But there was a new face in the mix: Don Nelson, entering his fourth NBA season. Nelson had been cut by the Lakers after the 1965 Finals when they got run off the court, and Boston scooped him up as a free agent. What a steal!
“Nellie” was just starting his journey then, but what a career he carved out. He’d go on to play over 1,000 games, win five titles as a player, and then become a head coach for five teams across three decades. He’s actually second all-time with 1,335 wins and snagged Coach of the Year three times himself. Sadly, Don Nelson just passed away this past Sunday at 86 years old. Rest in peace, champ. As for the Celtics, because they finished second, they finally had to play a first-round, best-of-five series against the Cincinnati Royals. It’s wild to think what was going through their heads after that regular season grind and Red’s big announcement.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
Leave a Reply