Architect of Boston dynasty Auerbach dies

Arnold "Red" Auerbach, the mastermind behind a dominant Boston Celtics franchise that captured a record eight straight NBA championships, died suddenly on Saturday near his home in Washington. He was 89. A mercurial coach with a shrewd eye for talent,...

Arnold "Red" Auerbach, the mastermind behind a dominant Boston Celtics franchise that captured a record eight straight NBA championships, died suddenly on Saturday near his home in Washington. He was 89.

A mercurial coach with a shrewd eye for talent, Auerbach was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969 and captured nine NBA titles overall, tying him on the all-time list with current Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

"Red Auerbach was the consummate teacher, leader, and a true pioneer of the sport of basketball," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement on www.nba.com.

"The NBA wouldn't be what it is today without him."

The Celtics said he died suddenly and their coming season would be dedicated to him. The Boston affiliate of CBS News reported he died of a heart attack, quoting an NBA official.

Auerbach led the Celtics to 10 Eastern Division titles in 16 years, and his string of NBA titles from 1959-1966 remains unmatched in US professional sports.

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