Players Discuss Their Inspirations
By Amanda Norvell | November 17, 2006
A legend. A dynasty. A legacy. Red Auerbach encompasses all three. Under his watch, the Boston Celtics won an unprecedented and unrepeated nine championships in 10 seasons. And the year that they did lose, their centerpiece, Bill Russell, injured his ankle in the finals. They went on to lose in six games.
Auerbach was responsible for putting Larry Bird in the green jersey we all still picture him in, the sixth-man concept and the phrase, “victory cigar.” He was and will always be the epitome of basketball coaching and managing.
Auerbach passed away October 28, 2006, but he will never be forgotten, as he was an inspiration to an entire generation. Players across the league have reacted to this basketball loss, including the Magic’s very own Bo Outlaw.
“Red is not going to be replaced, ever. Whenever you see a classic Celtics game, that’s all you think about, that cigar. It’s not going to be the same. It’s something you can’t really explain.”
After returning from a recent road-trip to Boston, where the Magic defeated the Celtics, orlandomagic.com caught up with the team to find out their thoughts on who has been legendary and inspirational to them.
Veteran Tony Battie, who spent five-and-a-half seasons with the Celtics, remembers gaining support from a variety of sources, including a different Boston legend.
“I had a lot of encouragement from Bill Russell; he was a Celtic great.”
But, for Battie, it was more than just any singular person that encouraged him throughout his career. “It was a collective effort,” Battie said. “There’s not really just one person, I took something away from each person in my life.” That includes his family members – his mother gave him support, while his brother Derrick, who played college basketball at Temple, paved a path for him to follow.
“I followed in his footsteps through high school and then on to college,” said Battie of his brother. Battie played his collegiate basketball at Texas Tech and then, as the Magic faithful are thankful for, took it a step further and was drafted to the NBA in 1997.
For some of the younger members of the Magic, inspiration stems from a different era.
Rookie J.J. Redick knows the importance of Auerbach and the Celtics to the game of basketball, but he’s been influenced by another legend – Michael Jordan. While Jordan hasn’t made his mark quite yet on coaching or managing like Auerbach, he certainly left his stamp on playing the game and future players.
“I’d have to say Jordan (is my biggest inspiration in basketball),” Redick said. “I’d say a lot of guys from my generation, my class of players, my age – we all looked up to Jordan. He inspired us.”
Fellow Duke Alum Grant Hill, who had the opportunity to play against Redick’s idol and credits him as the best athlete he’s ever played against, draws inspiration from a more personal source.
“My dad was a professional athlete,” Hill said, “so watching him growing up was inspiring.” Hill even used to emulate his father, wrapping himself in tape and ice, just like dad. In addition, Hill credits his wife and mother as well as inspirations. “Those who are closest to me, they’re who I draw inspiration from,” Hill said.
Auerbach is storied as a great motivator, a man who actually befriended his players, who loved them and grew close to them – inspired them. While the members of the Orlando Magic may draw their inspirations from many areas of their lives, Auerbach will also be a staple in the NBA.
As Outlaw puts it best, “If you’re a basketball fan, player or relate to the sport, you understand and will remember the importance of Red and the Celtics to the game of basketball.”
Amanda Norvell currently serves as a Communications Intern for the Orlando Magic.
A legend. A dynasty. A legacy. Red Auerbach encompasses all three. Under his watch, the Boston Celtics won an unprecedented and unrepeated nine championships in 10 seasons. And the year that they did lose, their centerpiece, Bill Russell, injured his ankle in the finals. They went on to lose in six games.
Auerbach was responsible for putting Larry Bird in the green jersey we all still picture him in, the sixth-man concept and the phrase, “victory cigar.” He was and will always be the epitome of basketball coaching and managing.
Auerbach passed away October 28, 2006, but he will never be forgotten, as he was an inspiration to an entire generation. Players across the league have reacted to this basketball loss, including the Magic’s very own Bo Outlaw.
“Red is not going to be replaced, ever. Whenever you see a classic Celtics game, that’s all you think about, that cigar. It’s not going to be the same. It’s something you can’t really explain.”
After returning from a recent road-trip to Boston, where the Magic defeated the Celtics, orlandomagic.com caught up with the team to find out their thoughts on who has been legendary and inspirational to them.
Veteran Tony Battie, who spent five-and-a-half seasons with the Celtics, remembers gaining support from a variety of sources, including a different Boston legend.
“I had a lot of encouragement from Bill Russell; he was a Celtic great.”
But, for Battie, it was more than just any singular person that encouraged him throughout his career. “It was a collective effort,” Battie said. “There’s not really just one person, I took something away from each person in my life.” That includes his family members – his mother gave him support, while his brother Derrick, who played college basketball at Temple, paved a path for him to follow.
“I followed in his footsteps through high school and then on to college,” said Battie of his brother. Battie played his collegiate basketball at Texas Tech and then, as the Magic faithful are thankful for, took it a step further and was drafted to the NBA in 1997.
For some of the younger members of the Magic, inspiration stems from a different era.
Rookie J.J. Redick knows the importance of Auerbach and the Celtics to the game of basketball, but he’s been influenced by another legend – Michael Jordan. While Jordan hasn’t made his mark quite yet on coaching or managing like Auerbach, he certainly left his stamp on playing the game and future players.
“I’d have to say Jordan (is my biggest inspiration in basketball),” Redick said. “I’d say a lot of guys from my generation, my class of players, my age – we all looked up to Jordan. He inspired us.”
Fellow Duke Alum Grant Hill, who had the opportunity to play against Redick’s idol and credits him as the best athlete he’s ever played against, draws inspiration from a more personal source.
“My dad was a professional athlete,” Hill said, “so watching him growing up was inspiring.” Hill even used to emulate his father, wrapping himself in tape and ice, just like dad. In addition, Hill credits his wife and mother as well as inspirations. “Those who are closest to me, they’re who I draw inspiration from,” Hill said.
Auerbach is storied as a great motivator, a man who actually befriended his players, who loved them and grew close to them – inspired them. While the members of the Orlando Magic may draw their inspirations from many areas of their lives, Auerbach will also be a staple in the NBA.
As Outlaw puts it best, “If you’re a basketball fan, player or relate to the sport, you understand and will remember the importance of Red and the Celtics to the game of basketball.”
Amanda Norvell currently serves as a Communications Intern for the Orlando Magic.
