Ok basketball fans, the wait is over! No more preseason games, summer leagues, and D-League action. This is the real thing and it's time to throw the ball up and get this thing started. The NBA is making news and I wanted to dive into it before teams take the court for the first time in 06-07.

A couple of things grabbed my attention this week as tip-off draws near. First off, Red Auerbach, an NBA pioneer passed away at the great age of 89. The NBA took a big time punch to the gut by losing the best coach in NBA history. I'm saddened that I wasn't around during the time when Red and his Boston Celtics ran amuck throughout the NBA. Auerbach suffered a heart attack and died on Saturday October, 28. Being a fresh 26 year-old fan of the old NBA, I can appreciate a man like Auerbach who introduced the word "dynasty" to professional sports period. The Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys, nor the New York Yankees could compare to the significance that Auerbach had on the NBA. Back in the 1950's and even during the 60's Mr. Auerbach began to separate himself from other sports figures. Known for lighting a cigar after every win, Red began his legacy for winning programs. How many franchises can actually say that they've been apart of at least 5 straight title victories? Auerbach has been involved in 16 total championships actually which is an insurmountable feat that can never be duplicated again. I don't want to get into facts and numbers about this great man because I wasn't there to fully enjoy what he meant to the game, but I do want to mention that I got to witness those powerful Boston Celtics that he ran for many years. He did everything in and around the game of basketball. Auerbach was an author, a coach, a teacher, the president of the Boston Celtics and a true winner. Heck, he even sold popcorn, cotton candy, and helped Santa's elves and reindeer get ready for Christmas Eve night. Ok, the last line was a bit much.

I know that there is not one man that meant so much to the game of basketball that Red Auerbach. In fact, any time an NBA head coach's name is mentioned in the same sentence with the words "championship" or "winning" in it, Auerbach's name will always be in the mix. It's a good thing that we live in an information age because it's not too late to cram for information on Mr. Auerbach and his NBA legacy. To honor Red, the Boston Celtics will be donning a black clover on their jerseys with the coach's three letter first name written in green. Red Auerbach broke and still owns just about every NBA coaching record. The NBA and its fans will surely miss Red Auerbach.

We all know that people are different. Your nose may be different from mine. You may even have more money than me. My house may be decorated in a different manner than most. And what the heck, my skin color and tone may be a little different too. And when I go to NBA arenas all across the country, I don't want to ever have to use a racial slur on a person just to get him to miss a foul shot. Just the other day I got word that Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo, was called a "monkey" by a fan. He wasn't called a monkey by another player, or official, or even a coach. He was called a monkey by a fan!! Are you kidding me? First of all I would like to point out that this was done at a PRESEASON GAME!! Hooman Hamzehloui is an Orlando Magic season ticket holder who has now been banned from every NBA arena during the 2006-07 campaign for making the remark to Mutombo. Do you think that the NBA did enough by banning him? Personally, I do believe that racism still does exist in this country and ultimately the world, but what kind of person brings it to a game? Mutombo reacted with understandable anger after hearing the slur and started to go into the crowd to confront Mr. Hamzehloui. Mutombo thought twice about it and let security handle the issue.

Fans, if you are passionate about your team to where you need to use racial remarks, please do it in the privacy of your own home. 22,000 other people do not need to hear it as well. Its already bad enough that this is still a hot topic around the US, but when we go to stadiums to get away from the stresses of work, bills, and other BS, lets try to have fun and not make idiots of ourselves...especially at a damned preseason game. The season is here and it's time to enjoy the high-flying, fast paced, and unbelievable talent of these great athletes who do a job at making us feel like kids again while watching. I STILL love this game!!

I'm Tovash Hatcher