For the final 45 years, Jeff Twiss has been a staple at Celtics video games.
The Celtics Vice President of Basketball Relations — who started his profession as an intern primarily tasked with driving then-head coach Purple Auerbach and labored his manner as much as changing into the Celtics’ lead public relations particular person — has solely missed 11 residence video games in 45 seasons.
On Friday, September fifth, Twiss will obtain one of many highest honors from the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame: the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor bestowed upon a world or nationwide determine who has contributed tremendously to the sport of basketball.
Exterior of enshrinement, it’s the most prestigious award offered by the Corridor of Fame — and has traditionally gone to adorned coaches, former gamers, and different trailblazers.
Twiss realized he was chosen for the honour final February, after he obtained a name from the President of the Corridor of Fame, John Doleva. Instantly, he assumed that the decision signalled unhealthy information. Maybe, one of many Celtics’ championship trophies at the moment on show in Springfield was stolen or broken — or worse.
So, when Doleva known as, Twiss tensed up.
“He goes, ‘How are you doing?’” Twiss mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘Good, is there something the matter?‘ He goes, ‘Oh, no. Are you sitting down?’
‘Then I mentioned, ‘Oh, one thing is the matter. I figured sitting down meant ‘Oh no.’ I anticipated the worst. And he mentioned, ‘No, no. I need to announce the Bunn Award winner, and that’s you.’ And I sort of went, ‘Are you positive you bought the suitable man?’“
Doleva did have the suitable man. Twiss, who has spent 45 years with the Celtics, was used to being the one to facilitate different folks’s awards, not his personal. However after many years, it was time for his recognition.
Twiss grew up in Vermont and first deliberate on changing into a fitness center trainer. However, the Celtics have been at all times behind his thoughts.
“I used to be at all times impressed and fascinated,” Twiss recalled. “How come the Celtics saved successful? How they do it yr after yr after yr, and had some man on the bench who smoked a cigar once they received it near a victory. How did they do this? It was simply fascinating to me, the entire tradition of the Celtics again then.”
Finally, Twiss received an internship working with the group.
“Considered one of my duties was to drive Coach Auerbach round as a result of Purple and — God relaxation his soul — was a notoriously NASCAR Method One driver,” Twiss mentioned. “He had no guidelines, no holds barred, 100 miles an hour, straight by means of. Should you’re in a manner, get out of the best way. That was him driving.”
Twiss beloved the chance to be across the group, and so he labored towards getting a full-time job supply. Finally, Auerbach supplied him one: $10,500, two season tickets, and an organization automotive.
“I stood up, shook his hand, walked out of the room, mentioned, ‘Thanks very a lot,’ Twiss mentioned. ‘And [he was like] ‘Now, go get to work. Get out of right here.’ That was it. That’s how I received employed.”
Inside 45 years with the Celtics
Twiss has been part of 4 Celtics championships: 1984, 1986, 2008, and 2024. However, even within the years have been the group struggled, he noticed that the particular Backyard environment didn’t waver.
“The power was nonetheless there,” Twiss mentioned. “And I praise the followers as a result of — I’ll para quote Larry Chicken on this. He says, ‘You possibly can’t idiot Boston Celtics followers. They know while you’re giving an excellent effort or while you’re dogging it, and also you aren’t enjoying your finest. So long as you give it an excellent effort, they’ll respect that. Win or lose.”
At this time, Twiss manages the Celtics’ relationship with former gamers. He usually sends out a publication with updates on what alumni are as much as.
Final October, when the Celtics raised Banner 18, Twiss escorted a 96-year-old Bob Cousy onto the TD Backyard parquet.
“Somebody requested me, ‘You thoughts doing it? I mentioned, ‘Thoughts doing it? I’ll pay to do it. Inform me when and the place, I’m there. For Bob, I’d do something.”
Twiss chuckled, recalling the particular second: “After I was beginning to escort him out, he rotated and he goes, ‘Don’t mess this up.’”
At this time, Twiss is engaged on a guide wherein he’ll chronicle his many years with the group.
“Nobody’s actually written from the angle of being a entrance workplace worker, having the chance — to not boast or brag — for 20-some odd years, to drive Purple Auerbach round to varied engagements or preseason video games,” Twiss mentioned.
“After a few of the tales you’re going to learn, Noa, individuals are going to come back after me and placed on a straitjacket,” Twiss mentioned. They aren’t going to imagine me that this occurred again within the period that it did, but it surely’ll be enjoyable when it’s on the market.”
In an in-depth interview on the You Bought Boston podcast, Twiss mentioned the highs and lows of a 45-year profession, how the media panorama has modified, and extra. You possibly can watch the complete podcast right here.
