Reminiscing About Red & Roundball

Found this video online of legendary Boston Celtics coach (and GM) Red Auerbach and it brought back memories of August 1985 (around the time this video was shot, I'd estimate.)

At that time, I was about to enter my senior year of high school and was attending the Red Auerbach Basketball Camp in my hometown of Marshfield, Mass. Along with another basketball player, I was picked to demonstrate a 1-on-1 move that Red had just explained.

I shot from about 15 feet away and the ball bounded off the rim--a respectable miss, I thought, at least not an airball. Next thing I know, Red is hollering, "Hey! What did I just finish explaining to you?!?"

I was mute, as Red grabbed the ball and (re)lectured me and a few hundred other players about the importance of "shooting with the seams" of the ball. Doing so helps ensure that balls won't spin off the rim, he explained, but will instead drop into the basket.

Today, 23 years and thousands of shots later, I instinctively grasp for the seams on most every shot I take. Alas, having the proper rotation is no help when I fire airballs, which is more often than I would care to admit.