Sustained Excellence: Player-coach Russell gets the last laugh

“Sustained Excellence” is a periodic series looking back at the 50th anniversary of Bill Russell’s coaching debut season, and at the Celtic dynasty in general.

Sometimes you have to lose first in order to be able to win – even if your name is Bill Russell.

Hardly the notion that pops to mind first – if at all – at the mention of the name of the eleven-time NBA titlist. Indeed, Bill’s 1956 arrival in Boston, along with fellow rookie Tommy Heinsohn, paid off in immediate success.

Russell’s coaching “game” would, however, require a season of fine-tuning before attaining championship caliber.

When the 32-year-old Russell added on Red Auerbach’s bench duties in 1966, he became the 34th man to wear…