This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/27/2013
1966 saw the iconic Boston Celtics' win their 8th consecutive NBA Championship--no other team in any sport has won eight consecutive league titles in American competition. Before Game 2, after the Los Angeles Lakers' comeback overtime win in Game 1, Red Auerbach, who had challenged the entire league to topple the Celtics from their reign by announcing he would retire after 1965-1966 before the season had started (thus giving his detractors "one last shot" at him), announced Bill Russell as the Celtics coach for 1966-1967 and beyond. He would be the first African-American to coach in the NBA. Laker coach Fred Schaus privately fumed that Red's hiring had taken away all of the accolades his Lakers should have received following their tremendous Game 1 win. The Celtics won the next three games and looked ready to close out L.A. in Game 5. However, the Lakers won the next two games, setting the stage for another classic Game 7 in the Boston Garden. The Celtics raced out to a huge lead, and held off a late Los Angeles rally to capture the NBA title and send Red Auerbach out a champion.
This beautiful pair of 14K gold and enamel cuff links were given to Red Auerbach in 1966 after winning his 9th and final World Championship as head coach. Perfect looking shield design cuff links have gold and blue enamel raised Massachusetts state emblem covering top. Backs are stamped "Balfour 14K". A copy of photo accompanies showing Bill Russell holding these same cuff links with Red Auerbach in the Celtics locker room following their clinching the 1966 NBA championship. Includes a letter of provenance from the Auerbach estate.