Sunday is the former Boston Celtics' head coach's birthday.
Earlier on Sunday, we posted a story about how Sept. 20 is the Heavenly birthday of former Boston Celtics head coach and executive Red Auerbach.
Within that story, we outlined some of Auerbach's accomplishments, including the nine NBA titles that he won as a head coach in Boston, and the seven that he captured as an executive. We told you that Auerbach was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969.
However, the Celtics have provided even more information on Auerbach that is worth sharing:
1) Auerbach is one of just 12 coaches in league story with 1,000 regular season and playoff wins combined.
2) His .661 winning percentage in the regular season is the second-best all-time among people with at least 1,000 games coached. He trails only Phil Jackson, the legendary former coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
3) His 16 total championships are the most of any individual in league history, and they came within a 30-year span.
4) He coached in a league-record 11 All-Star Games and was with the Celtics for 56 total years, making him the longest-tenured Celtic.
Boston Celtics former head coach Red Auerbach coacher next to former player John Havlicek and former trainer Buddy LeRoux during a game at the Boston Garden in Boston, MA. Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © Dick RaphaelCoaches since Red Auerbach
Bill Russell (1967-69) - 162-83 (won two titles)
Tom Heinsohn (1970-78) 427-263 (won two titles)
Tom Sanders (1978-79) - 23-39
Dave Cowens (1979) - 27-41
Bill Fitch (1980-83) - 242-86 (won one title)
K.C. Jones (1984-88) - 308-102 (won two titles)
Jimmy Rodgers (1989-90) - 94-70
Chris Ford (1991-95) - 222-188
M.L. Carr (1996-97) - 48-116
Rick Pitino (1998-01) - 102-146
Jim O'Brien (2001-04) - 139-119
John Carroll (2004) - 14-22
Doc Rivers (2005-14) - 416-305 (won one title)
Brad Stevens (2014-21) - 354-282
Ime Udoka (2022) - 51-31
Joe Mazzulla (2023-present) - 238-90 (one title)
Upcoming for the Celtics
The Celtics are less than 10 days away from the start of training camp, which begins on Sept. 29. The preseason opener is set for Oct. 8 and the regular season begins on Oct. 20 on the road at the Detroit Pistons.
Boston finished 56-26 last season, earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They were upended by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs in seven games. While some do expect the Celtics to maintain similar regular season success this year, I do not.
I think they'll be good, and they are a playoff team, but I think they are ticketed for a No. 5 or a No. 6 seed in the much-improved Eastern Conference.
