In fact, little known to the public, Auerbach and Russell - one a short, brash Jew from Brooklyn, the other a tall, intense African-American from Louisiana and Oakland - were far more than just coach and player. Through 13 years of building a sports dynasty together, one that remains among the greatest of all time, their relationship evolved into a rare, telling example of deep male friendship: confident, supportive, understanding, founded in common goals, even as their feelings remained largely unspoken. They stayed close for the rest of Auerbach's life, despite physical distance and far fewer chances to be together. True male friends are always there for each other, whenever the need or occasion arises.