Famous Boston Celtic Bill Russell reminiscing about Red Auerbach:
In the plane, on the way to Red’s funeral, what came to my mind was the night, early in my career, when Red and I were playing gin rummy and talking basketball. All of a sudden, he said, “Tell you what I’ll do, Russ. At this stage of the game, it’s time I gave you a secret name. We’ll both use it, just for you.”
"Okay. What’s that, Red?”
“It’s a good one. It’s perfect for you. You’ll thank me for it someday.”
“Red! What is it?”
He rolled his cigar around his mouth, arched his eyebrows, and said, “Goyishe kop!” I started to laugh. I knew he was needling me about how I played gin because he always [beat me]. So I gave him a scowl.
He looked at me seriously and said, “Wait a minute. You know what Goyishe kop means?”
I said, “Yeah, I do. Means ‘Dumb head’! And thanks a lot!”
He chuckled. “Okay, I was just giving you [a hard time].” And we both cracked up. Recalling this amused me all over again. I could see Red’s mischievous smile.
