The Unknown Destiny: Unveiling Red Auerbach's Journey After the Celtics' 1984 NBA Triumph

Summary

Red Auerbach played a crucial coaching role in the success of the Celtics franchise, leading them to 11 NBA Championships between 1957 and 1969.

The Winning Time series fell short in showcasing the complete story of the Showtime Lakers dynasty led by Pat Riley, as it abruptly ended after only 17 episodes.

Auerbach's influence on the NBA and basketball as a whole persisted until his passing in 2006, as he continued to be actively involved with the Celtics as their President and Vice Chairman.

HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty concluded its second and final season, depicting the Boston Celtics under Red Auerbach triumphing over the Lakers in the 1984 NBA Finals. Auerbach played a pivotal role in the Celtics' dynasty, beginning as their head coach in the 1950-51 NBA season. He went on to establish an impressive Celtics dynasty during the 1950s and 1960s, winning an astonishing 11 NBA Championships between 1957 and 1969. Auerbach's leadership led the Celtics to an unprecedented 8 consecutive NBA Titles from 1959-1966.

The end credits of Winning Time season 2 finale confirmed that the HBO series would be concluding after 17 episodes. Despite the series having ample material for future seasons, it will not have the opportunity to showcase the illustrious era of the Showtime Lakers dynasty led by head coach Pat Riley. Over its two seasons, Winning Time provided a detailed and dramatized glimpse into the formation of the Lakers dynasty from 1979 to 1984. Ironically, the Lakers' triumphant period came in the subsequent year, when they defeated Auerbach's Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals.

Red Auerbach Became Celtics President & Vice Chairman After 1984 NBA Title

After successfully defeating the Lakers in the legendary 1984 NBA Finals, General Manager Red Auerbach assumed the role of President and Vice Chairman of the Celtics at the age of 67. Auerbach had already played a crucial role in making roster decisions and selecting draft picks for the Celtics, ever since he stopped coaching the team back in 1966. Continuing to exert his control over the team, Auerbach used the Celtics' second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft to select the highly talented college superstar Len Bias. Regrettably, Bias, who had been compared to the likes of Michael Jordan during his college years, tragically passed away due to a drug overdose merely two days after Auerbach had chosen him.

Red Auerbach Was Celtics President Until His Death In 2006

Auerbach exemplified unwavering loyalty to the Celtics throughout his life, serving as the team's active President and Vice Chairman until his untimely passing at the age of 89 due to a heart attack on October 28, 2006. Just three days prior to his death, Auerbach received a well-deserved recognition for his commendable service in the Navy during World War II. Across multiple generations of NBA players and coaches, the profound admiration for Auerbach remains palpable. Renowned for his groundbreaking implementation of a fast-break style of offense, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of the NBA and the game of basketball as a whole.

Auerbach made history in the NBA by being the first to draft a black player, Chuck Cooper, in 1950. He further broke barriers by appointing Bill Russell as the league's first black head coach in 1966. In recognition of his contributions, the Celtics retired the number 2 in Auerbach's honor, ranking him as the second most important figure in the organization after founder Walter Brown. The NBA's Coach of the Year Award also pays tribute to Auerbach by bearing his name on its trophy. Prior to the events portrayed in Winning Time season 2, Auerbach had already achieved significant success, culminating in his fifteenth NBA championship ring.