Last week was a first in “Wednesday’s Challenge”, the first ever tie. Voters were evenly split between Celtic greats Kevin McHale and Paul Pierce, and thus McHale keeps his place at #22 with The Truth remaining stuck at #27. This week’s battle is between the two greatest coaches in Boston sports history. The Patriots Bill Belichick, currently #12, attempts to break into the Top 10 by taking on Red Auerbach, who is sitting at #8. A look at this week’s candidates…
AUERBACH: Worked for the Celtics for a total of 57 years as a head coach (1950-66), general manager (1966-84) and team president (1984-2006). As head coach he led the Celtics to 9 NBA Championships, including 8 in a row (1957, 1959-66). Coaching record with Boston of 795-397 (.667) in the regular season and 90-58 (.608) in the playoffs. Named 1965 NBA Coach of the Year, an award that is now named in his honor. Most wins of any coach in Celtics franchise history. Won 6 more titles as Celts GM (1967-69, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984). Named 1980 NBA Executive of the Year. Won another title (1986) while team president. Total of 16 NBA Championships. Named to the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969. Celtics have retired the #2 in his honor.
BELICHICK: Was the Patriots assistant head coach in 1996, and has been the head coach of the Pats since 2000. In his one season as assistant head coach he helped the Pats win the AFC Championship and make only the second Super Bowl appearance in team history. Since taking over as head coach in 2000 he has led the Pats to all 3 of the team’s Super Bowl Championships (2001, 2003-04), won 4 AFC Championships (2001, 2003-04, 2007), and won 6 AFC East titles (2001, 2003-07). Coaching record with New England of 98-38 (.710) in the regular season and 14-3 (.823) in the playoffs. Has been named NFL Coach of the Year twice (2003, 2007). In 2007 guided the Patriots to the first 16-0 regular season in team history. His teams have the two longest regular season win streaks in NFL history. Most wins of any coach in Patriots franchise history.
VERDICT: Belichick is the greatest coach in Patriots history, maybe in NFL history, but a man who coached for 9 years cannot compare to a man who won 16 rings over 57 years of service. As much as I love BB, there is simply no comparison when it comes to him, or any other coach, against Red. Add in Auerbach’s great work in the front office and this one is a slam dunk for me.
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11 comments:
Speaking of coaches on The Ladder, Tito may have to be one of the 10 candidates to get on the ladder next time around.
As for this battle, I do think Red is a no-brainer...but now I'm actually thinking he should be higher....#6? Higher?
You won't get any opposition from me in this one. As much as I love Bill, Red is possibly (certainly one of) the greatest in the history of sport.
Couldn't agree more about Francona.
Any other suggestions to get in there? I'm putting Tito & Theo on the ballot for sure. Dana Barros, Ray Allen, Bill Curley, Adam Oates, Craig Janney, Zdeno Chara, Mike Vrabel, Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Scott Pioli, Johnny Most, who else....
Ok i agree this one is all Red hands down no questioning that. But since Red is going to win in a landslide i'm gonna vote for Bill he already took 1 beating this week and this is gonna be the 2nd. So its kinda like being blue in a red state my vote doesnt count.
As for others for the list what about owners like the Krafts or the Sox current ownership they are resposible for bringing in some of the guys opn the list and guys that wil be on the list in the future.
Kristine Lilly- she has been on the US womens soccer team since 1987, and is currently the captain. She lives in Brookline(although born in the state of the last grudge). She will be on the Boston Breakers of the WPS (womens professional soccer) when it starts in in 2009...
Bob Kraft is already on the list...#25.
Kristine Lilly is an interesting candidate. She would be the first woman on The Ladder. I sort of feel like that honor should go to a Mass native though.
DK this is about Red vs Bill please keep your Red Sox post in the places they belong. I didn't come here to read about what Tito and Theo are doing, I cam e to read about Red and Bill.
Interesting that they were/are known as "cheaters" or at least taking every advantage of the rules.
Not that I mind either guy trying to get every advantage possible, just pointing it out.
Vote: Red. When Belichick gets a statue in Boston I'll consider changing my vote.
Pardon my oversight of Kraft, i knew he was on there but for some reason still posted with Kraft included. I was looking for a good female candidate from Mass, but couldnt find any overly qualified candidates.
Sports Illustrated did the Top 50 athletes from all 50 states in 1999 (Rocky Marciano won from Mass).
6 women made the list (in order):
Rebecca Lobo, basketball
Pat Bradley, golf
Kelly Amonte, hockey
Tenley Albright, figure skating
Nancy Kerrigan, figure skating
Senda Berenson Abbott, basketball
Personally I'm not sold on any of them being Ladder-worthy at this point. Perhaps if Lobo had played college or pro in Boston she'd be a better candidate. Maybe if that women's soccer league takes off we'll have a candidate eventually, but we still haven't gotten Taylor Twellman on the list, so that's going to be an uphill fight. (speaking of which, he should be one of the 9 candidates next time around)
WJ, When the put up a statue of Belichick? Are you the same guy that crucified me for factoring in awards given by other people? You need some politician to decide to give Belichick a statue in order for you to give him your vote? Use your own brain!
Seriously though, I wonder how these coaches would do against non-coaches. I've been trying to keep the challenges against people they can be compared to in some respect lately. The Yawkey/Viatieri challenge or the Cheevers/McCarron challenge were understandably a little tough for people to wrap their minds around.
I did like the battle of the Chiefs though...
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