Just ran across this article on Red Auerbach's love of cigars -- an oldie but a goodie from five years ago when he died. Well worth reading IMHO:
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2006/10/29/his_cigar_habit_ignited_controversy/
He once told the Globe, "It's like this: I got sick and tired of coaches playing for the TV. They'd be 20 points ahead with two minutes to go and they'd be calling plays, waving their arms, showing off. My feeling was, when you knew the game was over, then sit down and shut up.
"Back then, a lot of the coaches smoked. Joe Lapchick used to smoke on the bench all the time. I don't like cigarettes -- never touched 'em. But I do like a good cigar."
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2006/10/29/his_cigar_habit_ignited_controversy/
He once told the Globe, "It's like this: I got sick and tired of coaches playing for the TV. They'd be 20 points ahead with two minutes to go and they'd be calling plays, waving their arms, showing off. My feeling was, when you knew the game was over, then sit down and shut up.
"Back then, a lot of the coaches smoked. Joe Lapchick used to smoke on the bench all the time. I don't like cigarettes -- never touched 'em. But I do like a good cigar."