This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2011
Red Auerbach disciple Tommy Heinsohn became the Celtics' head coach beginning in the 1969–70 season. He led the team to a league best 68–14 record during the 1972–73 season and was named Coach of the Year, although Boston was upset in the playoffs. As Boston fans had hoped, the Celtics returned with a vengeance to open the 1973-74 season, racing out to a 30-7 start. Boston finished 56-26, good enough for the best record in the Eastern conference. After downing Buffalo and an injured Knicks team in the playoffs, the Celtics faced a Finals match up with Milwaukee. The Bucks were favored to beat the Boston Celtics in the 1974 NBA Finals, thanks mostly to young Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won his third MVP award that season. But you could never count the Celtics out when it came to the Finals. Boston grabbed a 3-2 lead in the series and had a chance to close it out, but Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks rose to the occasion in an epic double-overtime victory in Game 6. The Celtics bounced back like champions for Game 7 in Milwaukee. They changed strategy and began double-teaming Abdul-Jabbar, which freed Boston center Dave Cowens to concentrate more on offense. Cowens responded with 28 points and 14 rebounds and John Havlicek added 16 points while continuing to draw the Bucks' defensive attention. Soaked in pink champagne, Havlicek grinned broadly in the Celtics locker room afterward and accepted the Finals MVP Award. This young team had finally lived up to his standards and Bill Russell's tradition. Meanwhile, back in Boston, they were making room in the Garden rafters for title banner No. 12.
In his capacity as Celtics General Manger Red Auerbach received this 1974 Celtics Championship ring. Representing the first Celtics Championship of the post-Russell era, the ring features Auerbach's name on one of one shank, bannered above the Celtics logo and the word “Pride”. On the opposite side is the NBA logo flanked by the year "1974". Around the perimeter of the face appears "N.B.A. WORLD CHAMPIONS" in raised lettering, encompassing a diamond that sits in the center. Stamped inside the band is “Balfour 14k”. The ring presents beautifully with moderate evidence of having been proudly worn by the great Red Auerbach. Size: 11. Includes a letter of provenance from the Auerbach estate.