“Let Me Tell You a Story” is a slam dunk

This fall, there hadn’t been many quality choices on the national level in terms of new basketball books. Of course, there was the much-publicized Phil Jackson retelling of last season’s Los Angeles soap opera, but that was nothing more than a few hundred pages of finger-pointing. Can you say “we’ve heard it all before”? Special books on the NCAA Tournament were released as well, but besides nice photos and game summaries, they don’t do too much to stimulate the mind. But thankfully, Red Auerbach and John Feinstein came to the rescue. “Let Me Tell You a Story” retells some of the stories that add up to the life of arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, Arnold “Red” Auerbach. Compiled by one of the great sports novelists of our time, John Feinstein, this book has stories told by Auerbach and some of his close friends at their now famous Tuesday lunches in Washington, D.C. that explain to many what has made Auerbach such a great coach and an even better person.

One perfect example of the influence that Auerbach can have on people is the fact that he was

able to get Bob Knight to talk to Feinstein, given their lack of significant communication since the book “A Season on the Brink” was released back in the mid-80s. As one could imagine, Knight was not too happy with the end result of that book. But he agreed to talk to Feinstein because of Auerbach, who asked him to reach out. And that’s what he did. Auerbach, an alumnus of George Washington, also reaches out to the basketball program at his alma mater, from Mike Jarvis on to the current head coach, Karl Hobbs. But it’s not all about the game of basketball, with guests from many different walks of life who attend the lunch. It’s a chance for all involved to learn about life from a man has seen it all, or at least seems to. Read this book and you’ll yearn to be a guest on a Tuesday. But if you ever get to attend, remember this one fact: don’t attempt to pick up the tab. You won’t be invited back if you do.

I wish I could tell you more about the inner workings of this masterpiece, but that would give away the story. The great thing about this book is that you don’t have to be a fan of the Celtics to enjoy this book, just a fan of basketball. “Let Me Tell You a Story” would make a great present for either yourself or any other basketball fan in your life.

Random College Basketball Notes

-  Many expect Georgia, with their lack of experience, to be the worst team in the SEC, but the way that Ole Miss lost to Air Force last week, I beg to differ, given two games each against Mississippi State, Alabama, and LSU for the Rebels.

-  Where’s the respect for Providence’s Ryan Gomes? Second team Preseason All American after last season’s first-team performance? Tell that to Niagara, who he hit up for 25 points and 19 boards.

-  Toughest opening night assignment? How about St. Joseph’s, who tried to figure out how to replace their backcourt of Jameer Nelson and Delonte West at Phog Allen Fieldhouse against top-ranked Kansas.  Oh, and Pat Carroll was out for that game with an injury as well.

-  And in legal news, an Ohio court upheld the NCAA’s “two in four” rule, which mandates thatteams can play no more than two exempt in-season tournaments within a four-year period. This is bad news for tournament directors, given that the rule will limit the number of big name teams that are available to choose from on an annual basis. But expect some sort of compromise to be reached by the two parties.

-         Top Five Coaches on the “Hot Seat”

5. Quin Snyder (Missouri): Recent NCAA sanctions meant the loss of an entire staff, and increased scrutiny on his program.

4. Henry Bibby (USC): The cross-town rival Bruins are getting better, as is the rest of the Pac-10. And he also needs to replace Desmon Farmer. Good luck.

3. Dan Monson (Minnesota): The NCAA probation period has passed, but the Gophers still haven’t been able to make some kind of move in the Big Ten. And just like Bibby out west, Monson’s competition is improving.

2. Mike Davis (Indiana): Fair or not, he is following Bob Knight at Indiana. Add to this not even qualifying for the NIT last season, and he needs a good year in 2004-05.

1. Pete Gillen (Virginia): Many thought he would be gone after last season, but the Cavalier administration has kept him around. In the toughest league in America, good luck trying to get to the Big Dance.