Excerpted from the book by Leigh Montville. Copyright © 2021 by Leigh Montville. Reprinted by permission of Doubleday, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.
No problem. The most intriguing addition to the playoff line-up will finish his 48-minute battle against the big man in front of him, 7’1” Wilton Norman Chamberlain, who happens to be the most prodigious scorer and rebounder in NBA history, deliver a locker room post mortem, make sure his team management duties are done for the night (Practice tomorrow, 11 a.m.), rattle off his obligatory post-game press interviews, shower, dress in some outlandish big-and-tall outfit that sometimes includes a cape, then provide 600 or 700 or 800 words for the good readers of the largest local daily newspaper in New England.
No problem.
The 2019–20 Celtics media guide in the far-off future lists seven basic assistant coaches to help head coach Brad Stevens, then adds a player enhancement coach, a director of player development and personal growth, a coaching associate/director of player development, two strength coaches, assorted scouts, analysts, video coordinators, trainers, rehabilitation specialists and a director of team nutrition and his assistant. Russell has no assistants. None. He does all of these jobs himself, except the ones that have not been invented. Trainer Joe DeLauri wraps ankles and takes care of the travel arrangements. Russell pretty much takes care of everything else, including the center jump to start the game.
One more job?
The ?
No problem.
