Say Farewell to NBA Legend

The NBA lost one of its true giants last night when Red Auerbach, the man who built and coached the Boston Celtics into one of America's greatest sports dynasties, died at the age of 89. He apparently suffered a heart attack.

Auerbach, who was born in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn on Sept. 20, 1917, had been in failing health for more than a year. He appeared frail when the Knicks opened the season in Boston last year, but was typically feisty in meeting with the media to discuss the return of Phil Jackson to the Lakers and the Knicks' hiring of Larry Brown.

With Auerbach coaching the team and serving as de facto GM, the Celtics reeled off eight straight titles, from 1959-66 - a stretch of success that has never been matched. In all, he lit his famous victory cigar nine times as a coach, always drawing the ire of his vanquished foe. During his tenure with the Celtics, which dated back to 1950, they won a record 16 titles. Eleven of his players were later named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, where Auerbach himself was inducted in 1969.

"The game of basketball has lost its greatest champion," said former Celtics player and coach Tom Heinsohn last night. When Jackson tied Auerbach's coaching mark with his third straight title, and ninth overall, with the Lakers in 2002, Auerbach reminded everyone that all Jackson did was coach, while he had to scout and draft the players.