You probably don't know Johnny Bach. You've seen him, the ruddy-faced guy with the stern demeanor sitting on the bench of the champion Chicago Bulls next to Phil Jackson in the 1990s, steely grey eyes fixed on the defensive play, his "Doberman defense" as it came to affectionately be known during the Bulls' first three championships.
Johnny Bach was one of the best and most successful assistant coaches in the NBA, working the sidelines as a chief aide in Golden State, Chicago, Charlotte, Detroit and Washington.
Which was probably the least of Johnny's accomplishments in an amazing and remarkable 91 years. Johnny died Jan. 18, and if the phrase "Renaissance man," can be applied to anyone in the NBA — and it doesn't come up often — Johnny Bach would be the model.