Working with Red Auerbach, the legendary coach and executive of the Boston Celtics, brought about a turning point in former Celtics GM Jan Volk‘s career. In 1971, during a game, Red summoned Volk, who was a lawyer, to the locker room.
Auerbach needed legal assistance for a deal he had made with Jerry Colangelo, the general manager of the Phoenix Suns at the time. With no other options available, the narrator and a law school friend hastily drafted a contract that resulted in the trading of draft rights to acquire Paul Silas. This experience not only elevated the team’s prospects but also jump-started Volk’s career. Red’s willingness to hire individuals to fill the gaps in his own skills was a testament to his humility and contributed to Volk’s growth in the NBA.
To hear the tale from the man himself, take a look at the clip embedded below from the CLNS Media “History and Storytellers” channel.
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