50 years ago--russell and the celtics

http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19561957.html

http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_bio.html

http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/remembering-red-auerbach.html

Has it really been 50 years since the rookie year of Bill Russell and the first of 16 NBA Championships for the Boston Celtics? I can truly see in my mind's eye Russell blocking shots and Auerbach yelling at referees and Havlicek hitting jump shots, but today, Russell is 72 years old, Havlicek is 66, and Red Auerbach died in October at the age of 89. I can't believe that the memories of my childhood are so old!
The above links will take you to some fascinating reading about the Celtic dynasty, and if you're a sports fan, I encourage you take time to absorb all of the great stories contained here. Our heroes in the sports world have lessons to teach us if we will just open our eyes and ears and minds and hearts to receive those lessons. Auerbach, Russell and the Celtics worked harder than anyone else in the NBA. They had a clear vision of what they wanted to accomplish and they were relentless in their pursuit of their goals. They competed with honor and dignity and integrity and pride. They put aside the wants of the individual for the good of the group and they worked in unity to accomplish their goals. They pursued excellence with no explanations and no apologies, and they were successful.
Yesterday was Larry Bird's 50th birthday--the last great Celtic was born during Bill Russell's rookie season. Bird epitomized all of the qualities I have described, which came to be known as "the Celtic way." Go to the following link: http://www.nba.com/news/birdat50.html
to look back at Bird's amazing career.