Red Auerbach made his GOAT picks in 1991: 'Those five, you can make a case as to who the greatest, most valuable player of all time is'

Many people have opinions on who the greatest player of all time (GOAT) is. Red Auerbach, the legendary coach with the second-most NBA championship titles, was no different.

In a 1991 interview with renowned sportscaster Bob Costas, Auerbach discussed a variety of topics, from coaching in the league to the famous Bill Russell versus Wilt Chamberlain debate, along with plenty of engaging anecdotes. At one point, the late New Yorker also weighed in on the GOAT debate.

"You can make a case for the greatest player of all time for [Bill] Russell, for [Larry] Bird, for [Michael] Jordan, for Magic [Johnson], and for Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. Those five, you can make a case as to who the greatest, most valuable player of all time is," Auerbach said.

Celtics connection

Two players from Auerbach's list, which includes exclusively absolute legends, came as no surprise: Russell and Bird. Both played for the Boston Celtics while Red was also around, giving him a chance to witness their greatness firsthand, whether during games, practices or at the training facility.

When the talented 6'10" big man, Russel, joined the C's as the second pick in 1956, Auerbach was leading the team from the sidelines. They spent a remarkable 10 years together, during which the head coach watched "Whiskers" evolve into a five-time MVP, helping the team secure an impressive nine championship titles.

After that successful run, Coach Auerbach transitioned to the front office to rebuild a legendary but aging roster. This included drafting and Bird, a 6'9" forward from French Lick, Indiana. The 1978 lottery pick went on to become a legend in his own right, winning three championships, two Finals MVP awards, and three regular-season MVP titles.

Auerbach touched on including Magic

Unfortunately, Red didn't clarify why he included Chicago Bulls legend Jordan and iconic big man Chamberlain in his list. However, when you combine their impressive achievements—eight championship rings, nine MVP titles, and 27 All-Star selections—it's easy to see why they made the cut.

Auerbach, however, did elaborate on the inclusion of Magic, whom the 1965 COTY noted had something special—something he also saw in "Larry Legend." Red explained during the interview that he admires how both players "try to add something new every year" and pointed out that they "work harder than the rest of them."

These renowned traits helped Johnson lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five rings while winning the assist leader title four times during his illustrious career. Today, at 65, the Hall of Famer is not only recognized as one of the greatest playmakers ever but is also featured on Auerbach's list—an honor that only four other players can claim, which speaks volumes about the immense respect they have all garnered.