Red Auerbach Interview: Rare Remarks on Current Modern NBA

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   / @nbahistoryclns   -~-
12/31/2004
Red Auerbach, former coach of the Boston Celtics, and sportswriter John Feinstein discuss their book, "Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game."

Courtesy of Charlie Rose Archives.





Charlie Rose: As coach of the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1966, he won 938 games and nine NBA titles. He later became the team's general manager and won seven more. His teams include such legends as Bill Russell, Larry Byrd, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. Also joining me is John Feinstein. He is a noted sports writer an columnist. He never played basketball. He is the author of 16 books, including such best-sellers as "Season on the Brink," about basketball. Also, "A Good Walk Spoiled," about golf. Together, they have written a new book, "Let Me Tell You a Story About Basketball, Friendship and Life." I'm pleased to have them at this table. Welcome. It's great to have you back. 00:48 John Feinstein: Thank you, Charlie. It's always good to be back. I finally wrote a book that I knew you'd want to read. 00:55Charlie Rose: He and I used to do a program I did called "Night Watch," and I would entice Red to come over and we would talk about basketball. What is this book about? 01:08 Red Auerbach: Well, we'd have a lunch every Tuesday in Chinatown, and it is a diversified group. Couple of ex-players, ex-coaches, Secret Service guys, lawyers, Hall of Fame high school coach, all those guys. Chris Wallace is one of our regulars, John Feinstein and so forth. And we -- we debate, and we argue, but mostly we tell stories. At least I do. And being I'm the host and I pick up the check, they listen. And in the book are a lot of these stories. Now, they're all true, and they're all very unusual. I'll give you an example. In 1964, I took a team over behind the iron curtain. I had a great team with Bill Russell and Bob Cousy and Oscar Robinson, you know, a great team. So, you know that bit when I used to light a cigar -- 02:13Charlie Rose: When victory was assured. 02:16 Red Auerbach: That's right. I did it over there before the game started. 02:22 John Feinstein: Eight Hall of Famers on the team. 02:24 Red Auerbach: I used to drive those commies crazy. Anyway, we were in Yugoslavia, we're going to play the game, and I asked the guy from the embassy, I said, where's the American flag? He looks at me and says, oh, they won't fly a game with this. I said, they're keeping all the money on the gate receipts, right? I say, we're trying to establish relationships, and it's a meaningful thing. I say, you tell them that if there is no American flag, there's no game. 02:54Charlie Rose: Let me change the subject to -- from stories to today. What do you think of the condition of the NBA today? 03:01 Red Auerbach: Oh, I think it's good. I think it's good. 03:04Charlie Rose: So all the fights and all of that stuff doesn't brother you? One incident -- 03:09 Red Auerbach: No, it doesn't bother me. 03:11Charlie Rose: -- suspend the guys and get on with business? 03:12 Red Auerbach: No, it's an emotional outburst. 03:14Charlie Rose: That's it? 03:16 Red Auerbach: That's it.

FULL TRANSCRIPTS HERE: https://charlierose.com/videos/2254