Let Me Tell You a Story : A Lifetime in the Game

Rating:
Summary: You will eat lunch in this town again.....
Review: .....if you know what's good for you, lol.

This is the sportswriter John Feinstein's account of how he came to be invited to Red Auerbach's weekly Chinese luncheon in Washington, D.C. And along the way, he realizes that he is now privy to a wealth of sports knowledge. This is surely a book that Feinstein must not have thought of writing long ago.

This book acts as a sort-of biography of Red, but it does so in stops-and-starts, at various times in the book (and in conjunction with a modern discussion point). Not really a chronological read, it does cover all the major facets of his life - and his reputation as a raconteur. "Gather 'round children, and ye shall learn" would work as a subtitle of this book.

And you learn of the people that Red has befriended along the way; it's not just John Feinstein but the newsman Chris Wallace, Lefty Driesell of U-Maryland as well as the legendary basketball coach Morgan Wootten of DeMatha High School who round out the weekly cast of characters.

Even if you did not grow up a Celtics fan as I did, and even if such things as his victory cigar may have bothered you years ago, knowing that - at age 87 - Red is one of the last links to the founding of the NBA makes this a compelling read. The names that he mentions will, if you are over 40, bring back old memories of a distant time in basketball. And just maybe, recall your own youth, as well.




Rating:
Summary: The NBA we all long for
Review: Being a product of the late 20th century (I was born in 1980), it is easy for everyone of my generation to get caught up in the inertia of modern life. We live in a world of technology and innovation. We live in an era where NBA players care more about shoe deals and endorsements than the purity of the game. We live in an era where the likes of guys like Latrell Sprewell are hard-pressed to feed their family on $10 million a year and Ron Artest has disgraced the game more so than anyone thought possible. All of this, plus more, has cast a rather dark cloud on today's NBA...Perhaps I am a cynic. But, reading one page of this book, Let me tell you a Story, will make you crave for more - a world much more innocent than today. Reading of Red Auerbach's life in the game will keep you engrossed so much - that if you are like me - you will finish the gem in 3 or 4 days. It is by far one of the best sports books ever, but besides that, it warms the heart. Just reading about Red makes you feel as if you know him personally.

This book really hit home for me. I was born and raised a Washingtonian, but my grandfather, who passed away last April, would keep me up at night telling stories about guys like Yaz and Williams and Cooz and Russell - but there was no one more he liked to talk about than Red. This is truly a memorable book that everyone should read - sports fan or not.

Rating:
Summary: Why have we forgotten Auerbach basketball?
Review: Boston Celtic basketball circa 1963:

Russell blocks a shot with his right hand and deflects it to himself. He immediately throws a left-handed outlet pass to Cousy at the hash mark. Cousy sees a streaking KC Jones up the opposite sideline. He executes a one-handed diagonal push-pass to Jones who catches it foul line extended. Jones, on the run, catches it in full stride, sees John Havlicek sprinting to the basket. In one motion, he throws a behind-the-back bounce pass to Havlicek who lays it in with no resistance with his left hand.

Two points Celtics. Three seconds off the clock.

This was Red Auerbach basketball.

Auerbach is the patriarch of the most successful professional franchise in sports. He was the coach or general manager of 16 NBA championships. Many say he was an innovator. I just think he simply used logic. His basketball philosophy: The more easy baskets the better chance of victory.

It wasn't complicated. It was just Celtic basketball.

Through the years, Auerbach targeted players who could create the best opportunities for easy baskets. Bill Russell was the first he coveted. Others thought Russell would have a difficult time scoring in the NBA, Auerbach correctly assessed Celtic opponents would have an even more troublesome experience trying to put the ball in the hoop.

Auerbach was right. Russell won 11 championships in 13 years.

In the book, "Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game", Red Auerbach, through the words of John Feinstien, recounts many thoughts and reasoning behind some of his personnel moves and general philosophy of the game.

Though some of the stories have been told many times, it's still wonderful to read about how Auerbach just treated the other NBA executives like little boys.

We all know he stole Bird by drafting him as a junior in college, how he maneuvered to get Parrish and McHale for essentially nothing, how he moved up in the draft to get Russell, how he fooled others in to believing he didn't like Cowens after he walked out early on a scouting trip, how he got Danny Ainge from the Toronto Blue Jays, and how players like Bill Walton begged him to trade for him so he could be part of the Celtic organization. The stories are retold again in the book, but to true Celtic fans, it never gets old.

The book, most importantly, dips into Auerbach's personality. The loyalty he gives to people who reciprocates the same. Auerbach is a stubborn man. Yet, brilliantly, he did not treat everyone the same. Some players needed to be yelled at, while others needed to be coddled. Either way Auerbach was in charge.

Anyone who wants to be involved with teaching the game of basketball needs to read everything they can on Red Auerbach. He taught basketball the way it should be played: Easy baskets wins championships. Unfortunately, the NBA has somehow lost this philosophy (along with its players skills).

Red Auerbach to me is a man who possess common sense and the guts to follow through with his convictions.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and Entertaining Read
Review: Growing up during the prime of Red Auerbach's coaching career in Boston, I was still too young to understand why he left coaching. This book reveals much of the factual story in a very entertaining way. John Feinstein has organized the material and put it together so that I heard Red's voice telling the stories and John's providing explanations when they were required.

I highly recommend this book to all basketball fans of a certain age and to those who may be distressed over where the game is going.

Rating:
Summary: Tuesdays with Red
Review: I initially purchased this book due to being a lifelong basketball fan as well as someone who has enjoyed John Feinstein's books. Almost from the beginning, I was treated to both the fascinating reminiscences as well as wisdom of one of America's true treasures, Red Auerbach. I am hard-pressed to remember any book that I enjoyed as much and especially delighted in his stories and tales involving George Washington University, our shared alma mater.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a treasure trove of basketball history wrapped around a love for Red Auerbach by his limitless universe of friends who gather weekly at a Washington Chinese restaurant.

My only wish is that I could attend or be a fly on the wall for one of these lunches.

Rating:
Summary: AUERBACH TO FEINSTEIN TO LITTLE, BROWN = 5 POINT WINNER
Review: IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT THE GREAT RED AUERBACH, BE ASSURED YOU DON'T - AND YOU WON'T UNTIL YOU READ THIS FABULOUS BOOK. THE BOOK IS MADE ALL THE BETTER BECAUSE OF JOHN FEINSTEIN'S BRILLANCE AS A WRITER. GREAT STORIES AND INSIGHTS ABOUT RED DEALING WITH ALL HE BELIEVES IN AS A COACH, AND MUCH MORE, TIGHTLY WOVEN TOGETHER BY FEINSTEIN WITHOUT USE OF AN UNNECCESSARY WORD, AND WITH A FLOW THAT MAKES YOU NOT WANT TO PUT DOWN THE BOOK.

Rating:
Summary: Saturday Afternoon Morality Play
Review: If your sports memories are in black and white TV format, and go back to Gus Johnson, Jack Marin, and The Pearl twirling it for the Washington Bullets, Wilt (Russell's Trademark Foil) and Hal Greer lurking up in Philly, Elgin and the Cabin Creek Commando waiting Out West...with The Good Guys - Bill Russell and Bailey Howell and Hondo and Heinsohn and Don Nelson and all the rest - looming above it all, then you'll want to hear every story Red Auerbach has to tell.

There are few more annoying individuals in print than Jr. Feinstein; at some point, you realize whatever he's writing is "about him"... but I've not yet been able to resist his chatty, insider trading approach to sports biography, beginning with A Season on the Brink. Feinstein has a great ear for the way people speak, an insatiable curiosity for how folks got where they are, and delights in the web that brings people together. That's never more apparent as he unravels what brought each man to the China Doll, each Tuesday, at 11am SHARP!

This is a loving, smart tribute (with some of Feinstein's trademark tattle tale snide stuff sprinkled throughout) to a loving, smart man. It's also a great tale of friendship, and a reminder of how those of us with mentors must never squander a chance to spend time with them. Coach Knight keeps a note on his desk to call Red once a month; we'd all be well served to do the same to keep in touch with those who still have much to give.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant Book with Plenty of Fun and Engaging Stories
Review: Since John Feinstein's debut book, 1987's unexpected breakout smash-hit "A Season on the Brink", he has been cranking out about one book a year, a veritable franchise! "Let Me Tell You a Story" is his 16th book, albeit credited to co-writer Red Auerbach. I am neither a Celtic fanatic, or even a big NBA fan for that matter, but I am a sucker for a good story teller, and boy, I was not disappointed.

"Let Me Tell You a Story" (346 pages) grew from Feinstein attencing the weekly luncheon get-togethers that Auerbach holds every Tuesday in a Chinese restaurant in Washington DC. One thing lead to another, and before we know it, we have a book containing many of those fun and entertaining stories of hoe Auerbach broke into basketball, got into coaching at the NBA when the league was started, and eventually coached and later general-managed the Celtics into the league's powerhouse. I didn't know that Auerbach's life was centered in Washington, even when he coached the Celtics. As a George Washington U. graduate myself, it was fun to find out how big a supporter Auerbach is of the GW basketball program (Auerbach is an GW alum himself, class of 1940). The story about how he had GW finally get some really good hot dogs at the games nowadays, is hilarious.

Auerbach is an impressive person, with a memory of steel. His recollections of the early days are priceless, and Feinstein writes them up in an effortless and entertaining way. Is this a "deep" book? Of course not, but it sure makes for a great read.

Rating:
Summary: Emperor of The Celtic Dynasty
Review: This is one of two books which I have recently read, the other being Jeff Davis' Papa Bear: The Life and Legacy of George Halas. Both Auerbach and Halas were obviously great coaches but also outstanding CEOs, each building a successful and profitable franchise while playing a key role in a multi-billion dollar professional organization. In this instance, the National Basketball Association.

Although generally viewed as a sportswriter, Feinstein has always seemed (to me, at least) to be a cultural anthropologist who works very hard to understand not only major sports figures and events but also their social context. This is especially true of A March to Madness: A View from the Floor in the Atlantic Coast Conference, The Last Amateurs: Playing for Glory and Honor in Division I College Basketball, A Civil War: Army Vs. Navy (A Year Inside College Football's Purest Rivalry), and A Season on the Brink, a detailed account of the Indiana University men's basketball team's 1985-1986 season.

What we have in this volume is Feinstein's account of his close association with Arnold ("Red") Auerbach over a four-year period during which Feinstein was included among a select few who regularly met with Auerbach for lunch almost every week at the China Doll restaurant in Washington (DC). What emerges is a multi-dimensional portrait of Auerbach as revealed by his and others' reminiscences and observations. Feinstein also includes relevant information from his extensive research on Auerbach, the N.B.A., the Boston Celtics teams Auerbach coached, and their opponents.

By all accounts, he was a ferocious but highly-principled competitor. Agreeing with Sun Tzu that every battle is won or lost before it is fought, Auerbach drove his carefully selected players hard during the pre-season (and whenever the N.B.A. schedule allowed a practice) but then allowed them to play to their individual talents while insisting that they do so as a team. He expresses contempt for coaches who draw attention to themselves during a game in progress as well as for selfish or lazy players. All of his favorite coaches (notably Dean Smith, Bob Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, and Morgan Wootten) were/are dedicated teachers as well as strict disciplinarians and relentless taskmasters, renowned for developing individual talent while never allowing team integrity to be compromised. It is no coincidence that these same coaches are also among those whose teams have won the most games as well as numerous conference and national championships.

Of greatest interest to me are Auerbach's self-revelations, most of which preceded by "Did I ever tell you about....?" or "Let me tell you about...." He seems eager to share stories about everyone he has known, with two exceptions: Len Bias, the University of Maryland All-American who died of a drug overdose immediately after being drafted #1 by the Celtics, and, Reggie Smith who was the Celtics captain when dying of a massive heart attack during a pickup game. "Both names bring a cloud to his face, a look of sadness. They are, without question, the two most tragic figures in the history of the Celtics." Feinstein provides a wealth of information about the sad circumstances in Chapter 8, "Dark Days."

Auerbach continues to have many close friends and countless admirers, not only in basketball or even in the sports world but throughout almost all elements of American society. For whatever reasons (Feinstein suggests several), he retains a certain mystique...especially for those who recall all the great Celtics teams and their N.B.A. Hall of Famers which include Auerbach; also Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Frank Ramsey, Bill Russell, and Bill Sharman.

Perhaps Auerbauch's closest personal friend in the media, the Boston Globe's Will McDonough offers these comments about him. "First, he's smarter than you, he's smarter than me, he's smarter than just about all of us. He's got an amazing feel for people. That's what made him a great coach. People say he had great players. Who do you think chose those players? [Auerbach's Celtic teams won nine league championships in ten years with talent which he fully developed.] Every one of those guys is in the Hall of Fame. But every one of them listened to Red and did whatever he told them they had to do in order to win. That's why he always said that he never `handled' players. He never tried to handle anyone. He was completely honest with them, told them what was expected of them, and gave them a choice: my way or the highway. There was never any ambiguity."

Many of us who read this book will be somewhat envious of Feinstein because he was able to have lunch almost every Tuesday with Auerbach and his cronies, privy to what must have been exceptionally lively, often confrontational conversations. But we are also grateful that he shares so much of those conversations as well as much of what was revealed to him during interviews of hundreds of others who also had a close association with Arnold ("Red") Auerbach, arguably the greatest basketball coach ever and without doubt one of the most interesting human beings I have as yet encountered.

Rating:
Summary: If Only Red Had Been Elected President!!
Review: What a great enjoyable book. I grew up in Philly in the 50s and 60s as a Celtics fan. Then I moved to Boston and lived there for 17 years and was a Celtics season ticket holder. Red Auerbach is a true American icon. His collaboration with the great John Feinstein on this book makes for a terrific read. Those who have been privileged to join him at the China Doll for Tuesday chow mein should be on that credit card commercial: Priceless.