We know this just isn't supposed to work, the young executive-looking Brad Stevens, the 36-year-old coach at modest Butler University in Indiana, signing an almost unprecedented six-year contract to coach one of American sports' most celebrated franchises, the Boston Celtics.
You can almost hear the jokes in a few months, Stevens with a 9-22 Celtics team warning the players Rick Pitino-style that, no, Kevin Garnett isn't coming through the door, Paul Pierce isn't coming through the door, Ray Allen isn't coming through the door. Perhaps except to offer condolences on their season from their places with the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat, respectively.
The Celtics have parquet more experienced than Stevens; broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn mistaking him for his grandson; Bill Russell back in town and wondering who is the new ball boy.