Celtic Pride – the character, concentration, and commitment – which defined the Boston’s teams when Red Auerbach proved to be integral to the two championships under Player-Coach Bill Russell. Dynasty’s End chronicles the final title in 1968-69 before the team ceded the spotlight to the squads of the 1970s. When Auerbach was the coach from 1950 to 1966, the Celtics were the most talented team in the Association. Under Russell, the team often finished second or third in its own conference and needed to win multiple tough playoff series. Wilt Chamberlain led his teams (Philadephia and Los Angeles) to better records every year but lost two out of three playoff series to his rival.
Often a team is short on skill, lacking length, or absent of athleticism. They may face a team boasting a better record and feel intimidated the moment that they enter the opposing gym. The Celtics never doubted themselves; their talent waned but their determination did not. If a team has collectively lost a step (or never had it in the first place), they can overcome the odds by coming together.
This book does not tell any tales that have not been chronicled countless times. If a coach can learn anything from this book, it is the importance of integrity. The players changed – Cousy, Sharman, and Heishorn retired as the Jones boys and Russell aged – but the leadership philosophy was consistent. Respect and trust between all team members engendered communication, incredible persistence at the defensive end, and calm execution under pressure.
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, with rosters comprised of at least three Hall of Famers each, were likely more talented but they were inexperienced. They didn’t win their championships until they developed the team spirit and grit that typified the Celtics. The 1967-68 was the last stand of the players who comprised the dynasty of the 1950s and 1960s (save for Havlicek) and they never gave up until the final whistle.