Today in Boston Celtics history, iconic Hall of Fame Celtics coach and general manager Arnold “Red” Auerbach passed at the age of 89 in 2006. Auerbach put together a career in the sport of basketball unparalleled in its era and to this day, winning a total of nine titles with the team as a coach, and seven more serving as an executive. He was hired by the storied franchise in 1950 after head coaching gigs with the Washington Capitols (now defunct) in the Basketball Association of America (BAA – a precursor league to the NBA) and at the NCAA level as an assistant coach with the Duke Blue Devils before joining the Celtics.
Red — as he was often called as a nickname — transformed the game with his emphasis on the fast break and team-focused play reliant on ball movement at all positions. His willingness to draft and play Black players in the midst of the Jim Crow era of U.S. politics was also transformative. He drafted the first Black player in the NBA draft, Chuck Cooper, and fielded the first all-Black starting five in league history. Auerbach stepped down as head coach in 1966, naming player Bill Russell as the first Black head coach in modern North American sports history as he moved to the front office for the rest of his career.
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He officially stepped down as general manager in 1984 but remained an integral part of the organization until his passing in 2006.
Debuts
It is also the date of former Boston guard Terry Rozier’s debut for the team, a 112-95 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Rozier hardly saw the floor, playing just under two minutes, in which he produced a single rebound and missed both of his free throw attempts.
It is also Lester Hudson’s debut anniversary with the Celtics in 2009. The Memphis native played his first minutes as a Celtic in a 92-59 shellacking of the (then) Charlotte Bobcats (now, Hornets). Hudson had a modest debut, putting up a rebound, an assist, and a steal in about 9:30 of floor time.
Dec 2, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up before their game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
In a 126-89 obliteration of the Celtics by the New York Knicks, wing Rex Morgan debuted for Boston in 1970. The former Jacksonville University player had a solid first game, recording 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists across a dozen minutes.
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Forward Norm Cook played his first game on this date as well, a 112-105 win over the (then) Buffalo Braves (now, Celtics —Â it’s a long story) in 1976 at the Garden. It was a pretty short run for the former Kansas player, who had just enough time to log a personal foul in 2 minutes of play.
Coaching debuts
Celtics legend K.C. Jones coached his first game at Boston’s helm, and it didn’t exactly presage the pair of titles he later won.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 25: A moment of silence for former Boston Celtic and Hall of Famer K.C. Jones before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on December 25, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
It came in a 127-121 loss to the Detroit Pistons on the road. Forward Kevin McHale led the team in scoring off the bench with 25 points and 15 rebounds.
Signings
In 1965, Celtics legend Don Nelson signed with the team as a free agent after stints playing for the (now defunct) Chicago Zephyrs and Los Angeles Lakers.
March 17, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Don Nelson (19) in action against the Atlanta Hawks at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Nelson played 11 seasons with Boston, winning five titles with the Celtics between 1966 and 1976.
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Trades
Today is also the anniversary of the trade that sent big man Tony Massenburg to the (then) Vancouver (now, Memphis) Grizzlies.
SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 16: Tony Massenburg #44 of the Utah Jazz watches the game against the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena on April 16, 2003 in Sacramento, California. The Kings won 95-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/ Getty Images)
The former Maryland player was exchanged for forward Roy Rogers before playing a game with the team in this stint (he had previously played 7 games for the team in the 1991-92 season).
Birthdays
Finally, it is also the birthday of former Boston point guard Michael Hawkins, born this day in 1972 in Canton, Ohio.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Confetti covers the Boston Celtics logo after Boston’s 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Hawkins played his college ball with the Xavier Musketeers and was signed by the Celtics as a free agent on 10-day contracts in 1997 that he would stretch into 29 games with the team on a rest-of-season deal.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Red passes; Jones coach, Rozier player debut; Nelson signs