Basketball legend Auerbach dies

Auerbach and Bill Russell celebrate Boston's eighth straight title in 1966

Arnold "Red" Auerbach, the legendary coach who guided the Boston Celtics to a record eight straight NBA championships, has died aged 89.

A mercurial leader with a shrewd eye for talent, Auerbach was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969 and captured nine NBA titles overall.

Only current Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has won as many titles.

The NBA's David Stern said: "Red was the consummate teacher and leader, and a true pioneer of the sport."

Auerbach, who died near his home in Washington, led the Celtics to 10 Eastern Division titles in 16 years.

Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser Red Auerbach

Often hot-tempered in his coaching, Auerbach used craftiness to acquire the players who would become his stars, like Bill Russell and Larry Bird.

He would trade up in the draft to land a player he knew would become a Celtics fixture.

But he also drafted players that many other teams overlooked, like undersized centre Dave Cowens, who made the Hall of Fame.

Auerbach also developed the concept of the "sixth man," in which a player who was talented enough to start came off the bench to give the club a boost.

A star prep player in Brooklyn, Auerbach began his coaching career in 1946 with the Washington Capitols and led them to the 1947 and 1949 division titles.

A year later, Auerbach became head coach of the Celtics.

Auerbach delighted legions of Celtics fans with his trademark cigar, which he lit up in the final moments when victory was certain.

Auerbach famously said: "Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser," Stern said: "The NBA wouldn't be what it is today without him."