My most vivid recollection of K.C. Jones is as coach of the Boston Celtics, two decades removed from a hall of fame career with the same team.  This was in the mid-eighties, when he was selected by Red Auerbach to replace Bill Fitch.  Jones had served as an assistant to Fitch, and was right there when the Celtics won the  championship in 1981.  Following the '83 playoffs Auerbach decided that it was time to make and change, and Jones was promoted to the position of head coach.  I remember seeing a clip of the K.C. Jones hiring on TV, and was struck by the dignity with which he carried himself.  He was a true gentleman, a throwback to a different era when sports stars – and, as a member of eight NBA Champions with the Celtics in the 1960s, K.C. Jones was every bit the certifiable sports star – weren’t the untouchable mega-conglomerates that they are today.

After seeing that press conference, my respect for K.C. Jones seemingly grew by the day.  He was the antithesis of Bobby Knight, who, as we know, would spew a profanity-laced diatribe at a nun if she dared question his authority.  K.C. Jones was a quiet man with tremendous self-confidence borne, in part, from winning back-to-back NCAA championships, Olympic gold, eight NBA titles as a player, and (up to that point) two more NBA titles as an assistant coach.  Intimidation wasn’t his modus operandi.  He respected his players, and they in turn respected him.

As that 1984 season unfolded, it was quickly apparent that Red had made another wise choice.  By promoting Jones from assistant to head coach, he was able to maintain continuity and provide the players a solid foundation on which to build.  Bird clearly respected Jones.  He appreciated the historical significance of this man and what he had meant to the Boston Celtics.  Jones recognized Bird not only as a great player, which he clearly was, but also as an extension of his own coaching arm on the basketball court.

Flash-forward to the 1984 NBA Finals.  Lakers vs. Celtics.  Magic vs. Bird.  The most anticipated NBA Finals in league history.  This was Bird’s shot at redemption, his chance to deliver a payback blow to Magic for that bitter defeat in the 1979 NCAA title game.  Jones’ low-key approach was the perfect fit for this pressure-cooker of a series.  He let his players play, which some have used as a point of criticism against his coaching style.  These so-called experts have said that anyone could have won with Larry, Kevin and Robert on the frontline.  Just roll the ball out there and let greatness take its course.  Jones himself alluded to these criticisms during our conversation.  The critics, he pointed out, were dead wrong.  I couldn’t agree more.  With the notable exception of Dennis Johnson, the 1982-83 Boston Celtics were essentially the same team that lost 4-0 to the Milwaukee Bucks on the Eastern Conference Semifinals.  Jones takes over, and the Celtics win one of the most thrilling NBA Finals ever.

The Celtics would go to the NBA Finals four consecutive years under Jones, winning two.  He won with grace and dignity, and he lost the same way.  He was always the gentleman and, to me, larger than life because of it.  Imagine then, my trepidation as I sat down and prepared to interview this hall-of-fame legend.  Would I be disappointed?  Would he be different in person?  Would he be a gruff, arrogant man bloated by all of the fame and championships and glory?

For two days I sat, spellbound, as K.C. Jones proved to be even better in person than he had ever appeared on TV.  He was gracious and thoughtful – a class act.  He did not rush his answers or try to shorten the interview.  He welcomed my questions and he answered them at length.  He stopped what he was doing – barbecuing ribs at a friend’s house on Cape Cod – long enough discuss his college career at the University of San Francisco.  He asked me what I did for a living.  He asked about my writing career and about my family.  He was larger than life and so very human at the same time.

Professional athletes today should take a long look at K.C. Jones, because there is much to be learned from him.  My hope is that this interview will provide some insight into this truly great man.