A Few Rants by Red

Red on Phil

What bothers me--actually it's none of my business, to a certain extent--is he doesn't give anybody else any credit. Jerry West built that team. You'd think he'd give him some credit. Or out of nowhere the guys get him Malone and Payton. He had nothing to do with that. You know what I mean? I guess some people are like that.

Red on Larry

I beat Bird in tennis one time. I threw the racket down and said, "How can you let a 65-year-old man beat you?"

Red on Spotting Talent

I saw Bird play once, I saw McHale once, and I saw Cowens once before I drafted them. That was enough for me.


Red on Cooz

I'd say to him, "Bob [Cousy], I don't care how you pass the ball--sidearm, over your head, between your legs, behind your back--but somebody better catch it."

Red on Banner #1

Winning the first championship. I came home that night, I sat down in a chair, I said you're one lucky SOB. You're now the coach of the greatest basketball team in the world. How much better can it get?

Red on Politics

I don't get into politics. I never did. Especially in Boston, because you can't win.

Red on Fame

My great-grandkids dragged me up there about a month ago to take pictures with me in front of [Auerbach] statue. Unreal.

Red on Today's Coaches

I get mad at these coaches when they're 20-25 points ahead with a minute to go and they're standing up and they're coaching and they're yelling. Why? Because they want exposure on TV. That's all it is. The game is over. Sit down.

Red on Cigars

It was accidental. In those days, a lot of coaches smoked on the bench. One day when we were way ahead, I put my feet up and I had a cigar and lit it. All of a sudden, it was very charismatic and took hold.

One time in Cincinnati they gave out 5,000 cigars, hoping they'd win and light it in my face.

They didn't win.