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The death of Red Auerbach has touched players, coaches, and opponents around the game of basketball.  The following are memories, thoughts, prayers and tributes from those who knew Auerbach best.

John Havlicek: "I've seen him laugh, I've seen him cry, I've seen him angry, I've seen him celebrate and there's only been one guy with the Boston Celtics who has been there for every championship and that is Red Auerbach."

K.C. Jones: "Although I can't give you a clear definition, that thing called Celtics Pride does exist.  If I tried to express it in a few words, I think it would sound corny.  It's much easier for me to tell you who created Celtics Pride.  Like the creation of a life it took two people - Red Auerbach and Bill Russell."

Don Nelson: "Obviously, this is difficult news for me to accept. Red was my mentor. He had a tremendous impact on me as a basketball player and coach and is responsible for any success that I've had in my career. Any conversation regarding the greatest coaches in NBA history should begin with Red Auerbach. He was a pioneer, an innovator and, most notably, an incredible winner. His great accomplishments - such as eight consecutive NBA titles - are simply mind-boggling, hard to fathom and will never be duplicated. He will be sorely missed by everyone in the NBA community. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family."

Kevin McHale: "Red was a man who was bigger than life. His impact on the game of basketball and the NBA is immeasurable. He was a huge part of my time in Boston, and for that I am forever grateful. Red will be missed by many, many people. The Celtics will never be quite the same without Red Auerbach."

Jerry West: "This certainly is not a happy day for basketball fans. Red was an enormous presence and his contributions to the game of basketball withstood the test of time. During my career, I had the misfortune of having to play against Red and his Celtics. He was an incredible coach who had a unique way of dealing with his players and getting them to play a simplistic, defensive game. His players rallied around him and respected him each and every night. This truly is a passing of a legendary person in the world of basketball.  On a personal level, I enjoyed a tremendous relationship with him over the years. Red deserved every accolade he ever earned and he will be missed deeply."

Larry Bird:  "Red Auerbach was one of the most influential people in my life. Not only was he an inspiration to me throughout my career, he became a close friend, as well. There could only be one Red Auerbach and I'll always be grateful for having the opportunity to experience his genius and his dedication to winning through teamwork."

Pat Riley: "Today is a sad day for everybody that knew Red, that competed against him, that enjoyed watching him. He was one of the great, if not the greatest coach, in the history of all of basketball. His record speaks for itself. What he did for the Celtics in the time he was there, not only in winning Championships, but creating this incredible tradition that lives on today, will never be matched. We are going to miss him."

Antoine Walker:  "This is unfortunate. I knew him very well over the last seven to eight years that I was in Boston. The most amazing thing about him was that at his age, his knowledge of the game was still very good. He was always very aware of what was going on with the team, the organization and players around the league. I got to know his daughters, his doctors and I feel sad for them. This is a sad time for everyone who has been in Boston. He meant so much to the team and to the community. It was an opportunity of a lifetime to have a personal relationship with a guy of his stature.

For Boston and the league, we lost an icon who loved the game of basketball, who gave it everything. He is going to be missed, especially in Boston. Every time he walked into the arena, he got a standing ovation."

Paul Pierce: Every time he would come to town I would say, one day when we win the championship were going to light one up.  He's really going to be missed, and I'm really sorry for the guys who didn't get to meet him.  We were looking forward to seeing him at the game Wednesday night.

He helped me understand what the tradition was and pretty much what it means to be a Boston Celtic.  I've learned that from the first day I got here.

We've just got to continue on with his legacy.  It goes from the owners and all the way down to every person who's a part of the Celtics organization.  To the guys who didn't get a chance to meet him, they're going to hear stories of Celtics Pride, the Celtics dynasty and tradition.

Frank Ramsey: "He fights for his team, he fights for the league, he fights for his players and he just fought sometimes."

Paul Silas: "Most of Red's players were intelligent players.   It just kind of naturally followed that you stayed in something you loved.  It was easy for most Celtics players to become coaches because of that tutelage and the way Red put things together."

Satch Sanders: "A lot of things that Auerbach put in place contributed to the Celtics tradition.  That only tells you that smart people realize what is successful.  As the old saying goes, if it isn't broke..."

Jan Volk: "He understood two things that players - particularly intelligent players that he had - see the game on the floor differently than he did.  It was five sets of eyes above and beyond his.  It was also important for the players to buy into it and that they had input.  That stimulates creative thinking."

Jan Volk: "There was a message there that tells everyone that you are part of a team and you have to conform to what I am doing, and not me to you.  But Red really did understand that everybody was different and that people respond differently to the same stimuli.  Red was a very quick read on who needed what to get the most out of their ability."

Danny Ainge: "It is incredible that (the Celtics dynasty) lasted as long as it did, and Red was probably the single biggest factor in that carrying forward.  You cannot take away from Russell, Cowens, Bird and those guys, but Red was the one constant throughout."

Wayne Embry: "Red was the ultimate team builder.   He was a great motivator because he made an attempt to know and understand people.  He knew the needs of his players emotionally and mentally.  He respected you and your family and made us all welcome to the Celtics family.  He had great compassion and created a family environment."

Don Chaney: "We were different.  We were the only team at the time that had a dress code.  We had to travel with shirts and ties.  Red made sure the Celtics were different and remained different."

Rick Carlisle: "Winning certainly makes things more fun, and the more fun you are having the more you want to stay with something.  So a lot of us have gone on to have a higher education in basketball because of the success of the franchise, ultimately because of Red Auerbach."

M.L. Carr: "That Red could take people from such a diverse background and blend them to the point of getting them to success night in and night out, for many years, is amazing in any setting.  He always knew he had to pick his spots.  He was a coach, a psychologist, a baby sitter, a tough guy, a boss and he was successful at doing them all."

Paul Westphal: "I think that Red was a positive motivator.  That wasn't necessarily his image, because he was always all over the officials, but he really would instill confidence in his players.  I think players were not afraid to make mistakes because they knew that red knew they might make mistakes once in a while.  I also think he looked for players that had been on winning teams.  I think he realized before most people that having a knack for winning is the greatest talent someone could have."

Bill Russell: "He never made any pretensions about treating players the same.  In fact, he treated everybody very differently.  Basically, Red treats people as they perceive themselves.  What he did best was to create a forum, but one where individuals wouldn't be confined by the system.  And he understood the chemistry of a team.  People tend to think teamwork is some mysterious force.  It isn't.  It can, really, be manufactured, and he knew how to do that, to serve each player's needs.  And, people always say you need to know how to win.  But that's not enough if you want to keep winning.  You also have to know why you win.  Red always knew that, too."

Charlie Scott: "Celtics pride begins at the top.  You see, Red is the Celtics.  And in order to become a real Celtic, you've got to have that first real talk with him."

John Thompson: "I've never been around a man who managed men in my life any better than Red Auerbach.  Particularly, the egos he had to deal with, the cross cultures he had to deal with and all the variations in the kinds of people that I saw him be associated with."

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Statements On Red Auerbach

Celtics Patriarch to bestow annual honor prior to tip-off on Friday, April 14

BOSTON (March 20, 2006) -  The Boston Celtics and Team President Arnold "Red" Auerbach have announced the formation of  the "Red Auerbach Award." The annual honor will be bestowed upon an active player at the end of the regular season personally selected by the Celtics patriarch. The player will be selected based upon his ability to best exemplify the spirit and meaning of what it means to be a Boston Celtic. This season's "Red Auerbach Award" recipient will be announced prior to tip-off of the Celtics game vs. the New Jersey Nets on Friday, April 14 at the T.D. Banknorth Garden.

The award is named in honor of the legendary Coach, General Manager and President of the Boston Celtics, Arnold "Red" Auerbach. Coach Auerbach, a member of the National Basketball Association since its formation in 1946, has been with the Celtics since 1950. He guided the Celtics to all 16 of their World Championships, and was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968. When the NBA chose its Silver Anniversary Team honoring the best of the league's first 25 years, Coach Auerbach was chosen as coach of that distinguished team. In 1982, he was elected to the Washington Hall of Stars, a Hall of Fame which involves people from all sports. Coach Auerbach 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. 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.

On January 4, 1985, the Celtics saluted Auerbach when they retired the number "2" in his honor. On Coach Auerbach'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.  In addition, Coach Auerbach has received seven honorary degrees from various institutions, and is the author of seven books.

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Celtics and Red Auerbach Unveil the "Red Auerbach Award"

Team Encourages Fans to Show their Celtics Pride and Wear Green for Sunday's Game

BOSTON (March 8, 2006) -  The Boston Celtics are inviting their fans to join them in celebrating St. Patrick's Day early on Sunday, March 12 when the team hosts the Denver Nuggets at 6 p.m. at the TD Banknorth Garden. That evening, the team will unveil a new uniform in honor of the holiday, and are encouraging fans to show their Celtics pride by wearing green from head to toe.

The first 2,000 fans wearing green who enter the arena Sunday evening will receive a Celtics Pride wristband, courtesy of the Celtics. One lucky fan, who most embodies the Celtics Pride spirit, will be selected out of the crowd during the game and awarded with a special Celtics St. Patrick's Day Paul Pierce jersey, autographed by Pierce. Prior to the game, fans can join Celtics mascot LUCKY and members of the Southwest Airlines Green Team on Causeway Street beginning at 4:30 p.m. Fans wearing green will have a chance to win tickets to the game, t-shirts and various other prizes.

The Celtics St. Patrick's Day uniforms will consist of their signature road green uniforms with gold and white striped trim and the wordmark "BOSTON" across the front of the jersey in gold letters with white trim. The team will wear the new St. Patrick's Day uniforms when the team travels to Memphis to play the Grizzlies on March 14, when the play the Miami Heat, nationally televised on TNT, on March 16; the Orlando Magic on March 17 and the Indiana Pacers on March 19.  Fans can purchase the new Celtics St. Patrick's Day jerseys beginning Sunday at the TD Banknorth Garden Pro Shop and on Celtics.com.

Seats for the Denver game on March 12 are available now and start at just $10 in the Brooks Pharmacy Family Section. Purchase tickets online at celtics.com, call 1-800-4NBA-TIX or visit the TD Banknorth Garden Box Office.

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Boston Celtics Invite Fans to Tip-Off A Week-Long St. Patrick’s Celebration

By Peter Stringer
Celtics.com
February 22, 2006

Wally Szczerbiak has struggled with his left knee tightening up on him over the last few weeks and hoped that some rest over the All-Star Break would have him ready to go for the four-game West Coast road trip.  But a first quarter collision with Milt Palacio at the 8:38 mark ended Szczerbiak's night in Utah Tuesday.  Szczerbiak was backpeddling on defense trying to stop Palacio's layup, and the two players appeared to knock knees under the basket.

Szczerbiak initially stayed on his feet but then went to the floor in obvious pain, clutching the knee, which was already wrapped in a black brace.  He was carried off the floor at the Delta Center by Michael Olowokandi and Dwayne Jones.

After picking up Szczerbiak, his teammates picked up their play and come away with their most impressive road win of the season, a 103-83 trouncing of the Jazz in which they shot 92% from the field in the third quarter and overcame a 14-point deficit to hang a 20-point loss on the home team.

Still, the Celtics are already shorthanded with Al Jefferson (ankle) and Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) still sidelined indefinitely.  While Rivers is offering no official timetable on either's prospects for a return, he has sepculated in his pregame interview with Mike Gorman that Jefferson will likely be back sooner than would Perkins, but he wasn't making any promises about either playing in any games on the road trip.

As for Szczerbiak's knee, Rivers is just hoping that he can play through it.

"I was hoping it was a knee bruise then I saw him twist his knee and it was worse than it looked," said Doc Rivers in his postgame remarks. "They think it's a deep knee bruise. He could possibly play tomorrow, but I don't know, I hope."

X-rays were reportedly negative, and Szczerbiak was spotted by FSN's TV cameras walking around the locker room area under his own power after the first quarter during the broadcast, but there's no official indication at this time form the team as to the severity of Szczerbiak's injury.  He is considered questionable to play in Phoenix tonight.

Szczerbiak's injury meant more playing time for Tony Allen, a guy who knows something about knee issues, and Brian Scalabrine, who filled in at small forward as Rivers had to shuffle his lineups again to compensate for being shorthanded.  Gerald Green even made a cameo before garbage time and could be pressed into action if Szczerbiak can't go tonight in Phoenix.

Szczerbiak told The Boston Globe that despite his initial reaction on the floor after the collision, there's no structural damage to the knee.

"There's no tears, no sprains or anything like that, just a real bad hard hit," said Szczerbiak. "I felt a little cracking and clunking in the back, but that's pretty much what I've been dealing with."

Paul Pierce has taken it upon himself to become more aggressive, and the results have certainly showed up in the box score.  Pierce has scored 30 points or more in seven of the Celtics' eight games this month, including his 50 point game against the Cavs last Wednesday.  He's averaging 34 PPG in the month, it would be even more impressive if not for an off night (18 points) against the Clippers on February 3, in which he went just 5-15 from the field. Pierce is also shooting a remarkable 48.6% for the month.

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Notes: Szczerbiak Injures Knee in First Quarter in Utah

BOSTON - The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has recalled Gerald Green from the Florida Flame of the NBA Development League (D-League).

Green was assigned to Florida on February 16, 2006. In one game with the Flame Green scored 6 points in 15 minutes. Overall Green has played nine D-League games, eight with the Fayetteville Patriots in a previous D-League stint, averaging 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Green, a 6-8, forward was selected by the Celtics 18th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft, coming out of Gulf Shores Academy in Houston, Texas. As a senior, Green averaged 33.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game on his way to being a two-time All-State selection. In his junior season he led Gulf Shores to a 39-2 record as he averaged 28.8 points, 13.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game.

Green was named to the 2005 McDonald's All-American Team where he won the Slam Dunk Contest and scored 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 6-for-9 from three-point range. He was named MVP of the Reebok ABCD All-Star Camp in the summer of 2004.

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Celtics Recall Gerald Green from Florida Flame of the D-League

The Boston Celtics have announced a one-time exchange policy for fans who were unable to make their February 12 game vs. the Orlando Magic due to the blizzard.

All fans who hold unused tickets for the game have an opportunity to exchange them for either the March 22 game vs. the Toronto Raptors, or the April 5 game vs. the Washington Wizards.  Tickets can be exchanged by mailing the unused tickets from Sunday's game to the following address:

Boston Celtics
226 Causeway St
4th Floor
Boston, MA  02114Attn: Celtics Blizzard Exchange

Fans can also visit the TD Banknorth Garden Box Office Monday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.  All requests must be postmarked or redeemed at the Garden Box Office by Tuesday, February 21 in order to be honored.

Fans should indicate which game they prefer to attend, but should note that tickets will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last.

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Celtics Announce One-Time Ticket Exchange Policy for Feb. 12th Game Due to Blizzard

The Truth to Make Fifth Straight All-Star Appearance

BOSTON – Boston Celtics guard/forward Paul Pierce was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team yesterday. Pierce makes his fifth straight All-Star appearance as a reserve, which was voted on by the 15 Eastern Conference Head Coaches.

"I'm proud to once again represent the Boston Celtics and our loyal fans in my fifth NBA All-Star Game," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. "It is an honor to be selected by the coaches, and I look forward to playing with and against the top players in the world."

In four previous All-Star games Pierce is averaging 11.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game. In his first appearance in 2002 Pierce scored 19 points and grabbed 7 boards in 23 minutes. Pierce becomes the 13th Celtic to make at least five All-Star appearances, and the 12th to make five consecutive, joining Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Robert Parish, Dave Cowens, Kevin McHale, Bill Sharman, JoJo White, Tom Heinsohn and Ed Macauley.

The seven-year NBA veteran is enjoying a career season, averaging 25.7 points, shooting a career-high 47.3 percent from field, to go with a career-high 7.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 39.0 minutes per game. Pierce recently moved into 8th place on the Celtics all-time scoring list, passing Bill Sharman, JoJo White and Dave Cowens this season. He is the only player in the NBA leading his team points, rebounds and assists per game and joins fellow All-Star Allen Iverson as the only players in the NBA to score at least 15 points in every game this season.

The Eastern Conference All-Star Team consists of starters Allen Iverson, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Jermaine O'Neal and Shaquille O'Neal, with the reserves being Pierce, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace.

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Pierce Named All-Star Reserve for Fifth Time in Career

By Peter Stringer
Celtics.com
February 8, 2006

Already undermanned after Al Jefferson's ankle injury last weekend against the Clippers, the Celtics were dealt another tough blow when Kendrick Perkins injured his shoulder at the end of practice Wednesday.

The question on everyone's mind: How bad is the injury?

"We don't know. His shoulder may have gone out, we don't know how bad.  He's going to go do an x-ray and we'll find out," said Rivers. "Obviously that wouldn't be good news, but we'll wait and see."

Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge didn't offer many more details about the severity of Perkins' injury on his weekly WEEI appearance Wednesday afternoon.

"It's not that bad," said Ainge. "We're hoping to get him back after the All-Star Break."

Perkins appeared to injure the shoulder in a collision with Brian Scalabrine just at the end of practice, when TV cameras are allowed in to shoot B-roll footage for their broadcasts.

"My guess is that he'll be back and play Friday but I don't know.  You never know how bad those things are.  I think it came out [of socket]," said Rivers.

As for Jefferson, Rivers said he doesn't know a timetable on his possible return because he had yet to ask for one.  Jefferson watched practice from the sidelines with his ankle heavily wrapped.

"When I saw him on crutches earlier I just assumed the time table isn't good," quipped Rivers.

Their record is a disappointing 1-6 since the blockbuster trade, but the Celtics remain upbeat.   So where does that spirit come from?

"The morale always comes from the coach and the best player, I've always said that," said Rivers. "The fact that Paul's been so upbeat, especially since the trade, for whatever reason, he's been great.  He was in the locker room after the Miami game, 'keep fighting, guys, keep pumping away, it's going to work, we're not playing ourselves out of it."

Much was made over the off-season of Pierce having to become more of a leader for the Celtics, and he's really stepped up to the plate this year.  Pierce has managed to keep the team loose despite some tough stretches of losing and a roster shakeup, no small feat in today's NBA.

He's having his best season, statistics-wise, on the court this year.  Pierce is shooting a career-high 47.9% from the field, leading all wing players in rebounds per game, and is the only player in the NBA leading his team in points, rebounds and assists per game. It's not exactly a Carl Yastrzemski Triple Crown, but it's impressive nonetheless.  Still, perhaps most importantly in a tough season, Pierce is having his best year in the locker room as well.

"He really is, and I don't think he gets enough credit for it," said Rivers.  "He's doing it naturally.  When you're a forced leader it's tough to do.  Even today in practice, the second unit was really struggling, and before I said something, Paul said something."

As for Pierce, he's just trying to keep his teammates focused on the job at hand.

"We've just got to keep our heads up; we can't get down or lose our confidence.  You're going to have your struggles.  We had a good day of practice today and we feel like we can turn it around at any second."

Pierce and his mates practiced for over two hours Wednesday. He seemed to be pleased with what he saw on the court, and says he isn't disheartened by a roster that's been somewhat depleted by the trade and a recent rash of injuries.

"That's what happens in the season.  You've got to anticipate injuries.  Very rarely do you have a team where everybody stays healthy," said Pierce.  "When one guy goes down, other guys have to be ready to step up."

- Even with a six-game losing streak, the Celtics are still very much in the thick of the playoff hunt, and a stringing a few victories together is all it would take to be in the top eight in the Eastern Conference. "You look at our record; our road record is what's killing us above anything else.  At 4-20 on the road, you can't be a good basketball team," said Rivers.

- The injury to Perkins probably means more time for Michael Olowokandi, Brian Scalabrine and Ryan Gomes in the short term.  Given that the injury happened at the end of practice, the C's didn't have a chance to work on any different rotations with their big men for Friday night if Perkins can't go. Should Perkins has to miss significant time, with the healthy body count continuing to fall, the Celtics may be forced to make a personnel move this week.

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