coaches like Red Auerbach displayed the ultimate thug persona, where he would confidently sit on the bench and light up his victory cigar once he knew the game was comfortably in his team’s favor.

Red Auerbach's coaching philosophy was simple ... Larry Bird smokes one of Auerbach's traditional victory cigars after winning the 1981 NBA title. Auerbach guided the Boston Celtics through ...

His 939th win topped the mark set by Boston Celtics great Red Auerbach ... Wilkens paid tribute to a legendary Auerbach tradition and lit up a victory cigar and took a few puffs.

Few images loom larger in the mythology of the Boston Celtics than legendary head coach Red Auerbach lighting up a victory cigar. The ritual was the ultimate act of showmanship, and something has ...