Reuben Hoar Library (Littleton)

The last pass, Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and what matters in the end, Gary M. Pomerantz

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

contains biographical information

platesillustrations

index present

non fiction

The last pass

bibliography

1023859508

Gary M. Pomerantz

Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and what matters in the end

"Bob Cousy, the Hall of Fame Boston Celtics captain who led the team to its first six championships on an unparalleled run, has much to look back on in contentment. But he has one last piece of unfinished business. The last pass he hopes to throw is to close the circle with his great partner on those Celtic teams, fellow Hall of Famer Bill Russell, now 84. These teammates were basketball's Ruth and Gehrig, and Cooz, as everyone calls him, was famously ahead of his time as an NBA player in terms of race and civil rights. But as the decades passed, Cousy blamed himself for not having done enough, for not having understood the depth of prejudice Russell faced as an African-American star in a city with a fraught history regarding race. Cousy wishes he had defended Russell publicly, and that he had told him privately that he had his back. At this late hour, he confided to acclaimed historian Gary Pomerantz over the course of many interviews, he would like to make amends. THE LAST PASS situates the Celtics dynasty against the full dramatic canvas of American life in the 50s and 60s. It is an enthralling portrait of the heart of this legendary team that throws open a window onto the wider world at a time of wrenching social change. Ultimately it is a book about the legacy of a life: what matters to us in the end, long after the arena lights have been turned off and we are alone with our memories"--, Provided by publisherBob Cousy led the Boston Celtics team to its first six championships. He has much to look back on in contentment-- and one last piece of unfinished business. Fellow Hall of Famer Bill Russell was famously ahead of his time as an NBA player in terms of race and civil rights. But as the decades passed, Cousy blamed himself for not having done enough, for not having understood the depth of prejudice Russell faced as an African-American star in a city with a fraught history regarding race. In interviews with Pomerantz, Cousy opens a window onto the wider world at a time of wrenching social change. -- adapted from publisher info

"Sale boche" -- Houdini -- New beginnings -- The Celtics -- Rough and tumble -- Courting fame -- Auerbach's secret -- Russell's arrival -- Ack-ack -- Being Cousy -- Wives row -- Bush-league impression -- Being Russell -- Locker room pulse -- Aristocrats -- La ferme des Cousy -- High-strung -- "Take it easy, baby!" -- Anticipating his day -- The Boston tear party -- A dreamy sunset -- Salisbury street -- Russ -- Thursday nights -- Auerbach -- Missie -- Legacy -- Russ redux -- Versailles, books -- Mea culpa -- In the house of Russell -- Serenaded

Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and what matters in the end