Diverse Celtic Pride
The Boston Celtics won their record 17th National Basketball Association Championship. It took this storied franchise 22 years to add number 17 to its remarkable list of championships. Celtic pride has finally returned to Boston, but Celtic pride is complicated. In a thoughtful piece, Jason Whitlock provides perspective. He also provides food for thought about diversity in any workplace.
The city of Boston isn’t free of racial flaws. While the Celtics haven’t always avoided these flaws, the team has long demonstrated that a commitment to diversity works–when paired with a commitment to quality.
Baby boomers remember the Celtics dynasty. Legendary coach Red Auerbach created a team that dominated for two decades. Auerbach had a hand either as coach or General Manager in the Celtics’ first 16 championships. Under his leadership, the Celtics drafted the NBA’s first African-American in 1950. Auerbach started the NBA’s first all-black lineup in the ’64-’65 season. He hired the NBA’s first black coach.
Yet when you think of the Celtics, a lot of white players come to mind: Cousey, Heinsohn, Sharman, Nelson, Ramsey, Cowens, Havlicek, Bird and McHale. The last time the Celtics achieved greatness, the team was predominantly white. Drawing racial conclusions would be a mistake, though. In addition to the white stars named above, there were black standouts: Russell, Jones, Jones, White, Sanders, and Naulls. Then later, there were Parrish and Johnson. Lewis also played.
In 2008, the Celtics had 12 black players and a black coach. Auerbach would have wanted this team, not because of color, but because of talent. They had the best record in the NBA and proved, in the end, they were the best team by defeating the LA Lakers 4-2. Doc Rivers repeatedly demonstrated his coaching leadership. Pierce, Allen and Garnett added their names to the list of Celtic greats.
Some may say the Celtics turnaround in ’08 (they had the worst record in ’07) proves that blacks have become dominant in basketball–except the Lakers had several white players on their team, and LA had an outstanding season. Just as it is in any workplace, it’s talent, not color.
Somewhere, Red Auerbach is celebrating and smoking his victory cigar. If he were asked about the role race played in his beloved Celtics’ return to glory, he’d answer the way he did when he started the all-black lineup in the 1960′s: “First of all, I had no idea that I started five black players until a writer pointed it out to me. It didn’t make a difference to me what color any of my players were. I was putting the five best players out on the court so that we could win.”
Auerbach was ahead of his time. Sometimes his players were white, sometimes black, sometimes both. Because color made no difference to him, his workplace was diverse and talented. Whether our country is finally able to turn the racial corner this year or not, Auerbach and his Celtics turned that corner a long time ago.
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About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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I remeber that last Boston championship against my Home Team Rockets. So, Boo Celtics. Hard to believe that was 22 years ago. Rudy Tomjonovich has always been a great inspiration to me & those (white & black) guys who can jump. Nice read, Thanks John!
Thank you for the clear and noteworthy praise and justification of diversity. As Red Auerbach
knew and demonstrated so many years ago – It’s about people and nothing else.
PS: the once bigoted Red Sox are not the only game in town and never were.
Jeff, thanks for your comment. I agree with you about Rudy.
Peter, thanks too for your comment. It is indeed about the people.
Jason Whitlock, not James.
Sorry about that. Thanks for pointing out error. I have changed.