I put off writing the Red Auerbach bio until I had finished all of the other legends. I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to write about a man who not only IS the Celtics, but also revolutionized the NBA and the sport of basketball. The Celtic brand of basketball is still fundamentally taught and emulated; defend, run the fast break, and share the ball. Nobody did it better than Red, even though he toured the world with some of his players, teaching basketball’s fundamentals to anybody who wanted to learn. Red is largely responsible for the growth of basketball, both nationally and globally.

I wasn’t alive to see Red in his cigar-smoking prime, but he was still an imposing figure with a fire in his belly. Red truly is a legend, and because of his significance, I defer his bio to a much better writer, and someone who knew him on a day-to-day basis, Boston Globe writer, Dan Shaughnessy.

Dan Shaughnessy’s Obituary of the late, great Red Auerbach

Kevin McHale was the most skilled low-post player I’ve ever seen; his footwork was sensational, he had a silky touch around the hoop, his arms were so long it seemed his knuckles dragged on the floor and he had the nastiest, thickest pit hair imaginable. I’m convinced his gross pit hair was an advantage on the court (I know I would stay as far away as possible).

McHale played 13 seasons as a power forward for the Celtics, and was part of “The Big Three,” the greatest frontcourt ever, along with Larry Bird and Robert Parish. He was consistently one of the best sixth men in the league until 1986, when he earned the starting power forward position, and the Boston Celtics went on to have the best record in franchise history at 69-13 and win an NBA Championship.

McHale’s clutch scoring and versatile defense helped lead the Celtics to three NBA Championships during his career. McHale is currently the Boston Celtics fourth All-time scoring leader and sixth All-time rebounding leader. McHale’s statistical accomplishments may have been greater had the later part of his career not been hampered by a reoccurring ankle injury he sustained while playing on a broken foot in the 1987 NBA Finals.

Recently, McHale has contributed to the Celtics in other ways. In the summer of 2007, McHale, as GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves, traded Kevin Garnett to the Celtics for Al Jefferson and change, paving the way for the 2008 Boston Celtics to stitch their 17th championship banner.