The Last Pass: Cousy, Russell, the Celtics and What Matters in the End

In this eloquent biography, Pomerantz (Wilt: 1962) details the relationship between Boston Celtics teammates Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, both now in the Hall of Fame. When Russell joined the Boston Celtics as the team’s only African-American player in the middle of the 1956–1957 season, the 6′10″ center became a lightning rod for prejudice. Even though team captain Cousy, who is white, and Russell led the Celtics to six NBA titles in seven years, Cousy and Russell were never as chummy as Cousy was with other teammates (including African-Americans who followed Russell). Pomerantz recounts Cousy’s playing and coaching careers, and includes anecdotes about the team’s passionate fans (on Bob Cousy Day in 1963, one Korean War veteran yelled “We love you, Cooz!” from the cheap seats, reverberating throughout the arena) as well as racism in Boston. In an interview with Pomerantz, a contemplative Cousy expressed regret about not doing more to ease the burden of racism that Russell carried, though he added that Russell often made himself inaccessible as a teammate. Russell didn’t want to be interviewed for the book, and it’s too bad, as his voice would have greatly added to the narrative. Nevertheless, Pomerantz tells a moving story of a pivotal time in basketball history. (Oct.)