These days, the Lakers coach takes no chances of upsetting the late Celtics patriarch, praising Auerbach for his coaching and executive skill. Jackson even half-jokingly credits Auerbach with returning the Celtics to championship contention this season, even though Auerbach died in October 2006.
"Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale, don't you think they collaborated on all this?" says Jackson. "Red's ghost swayed McHale to make the Kevin Garnett trade with Boston last year, rather than with someone else."
Jackson punctuates his supernatural conspiracy theory with laughter. But as he prepares to face the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tomorrow night at TD Banknorth Garden, Jackson cannot escape Auerbach. Somewhere, Auerbach is probably pleased to know he can needle an opponent from beyond the grave. After all, if the Lakers defeat the Celtics, Jackson will have won more NBA championships than any other coach, breaking a tie at nine with Auerbach.
Jackson claims the record "doesn't really matter" and views championships as being won by players. He should know, considering each of his nine titles came with the NBA's top star on his side - from Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal to Kobe Bryant. When Jackson stood on the verge of winning a 10th title in 2004 - until the Pistons beat his Lakers - Auerbach said Jackson "picked his spots."
"There's always a challenge from Red when you're on the other side," said Jackson. "He's always going to challenge you at some level, which always means you perform at your best. That was what was great about him."
While Jackson still has Bryant, no one would accuse him of picking his spots with the current Lakers team, which is made up largely of young, inexperienced players. Few expected the Lakers to be in the Finals, but Jackson guided them through the turmoil of Bryant's offseason trade demand, the transition of a midseason deal for Pau Gasol, and the treacherous Western Conference playoffs.
A 10th title will not necessarily silence critics, but it will give Jackson a special place in NBA history that many players feel he deserves.
