Original NBA Ref Sid Borgia

In the adjacent photograph, Sid Borgia (far right) confronts his self-avowed “nemesis” Red Auerbach. Both the referee and HoF coach were part of the inaugural campaign of the Basketball Association of America, which merged with the National Basketball League to form the NBA. The two men would face off over the course of no less than 20 seasons. In his rookie year, they almost came to blows in the officials’ dressing room following a particularly heated contest. Borgia, whose son also refed in the league, would indicate a potential old-fashioned three-point play by exclaiming “Yes and it counts!” Needless to say, Marv Albert would make those words one of his signature phrases.