Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"NBA Hardwood Classics: The Player and the Coach," 5 p.m., History Channel. A half-century ago basketball was a different game. It was often slow, sometimes dull and mostly played by white athletes. Then Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach hired center Bill Russell in 1956. Basketball cynics said Russell had no offensive skills and couldn't be coached. He'd spent his college years arguing with a coach who felt players shouldn't jump on defense. Social cynics felt that Boston, which was slow to embrace integration in other sports, wouldn't be interested in a black star. All were wrong, of course. In 1959, the Celtics started a string of eight straight championships. They triumphed as a racially mixed team and (later) as the first NBA team with an all-black starting lineup. The sport's popularity soared. This fascinating documentary catches Russell and many of his teammates. It adds perspective from such people as reporter Frank Deford, coach John Thompson and athlete-activist Jim Brown.

Of Note

National funeral service for Ronald Reagan, coverage begins 4 a.m. all major networks and news channels throughout the day. This will include eulogies by current and former world leaders, including George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher and Brian Mulroney. The casket is expected to arrive at Point Mugu Naval Air Station in California with a motorcade reaching the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., at 3 p.m. At least two networks (CBS and NBC) plan to suspend their prime time shows. Other news channels will also continue their coverage.