Bill Russell was back around yesterday. You couldn't miss him (by either sight or sound). And according to Jim O'Brien, he isn't just hanging over the Celtics - in the form of 11 championship banners - he's with the club.

``He gives me all kinds of tips,'' O'Brien said. ``He really does. He's very knowledgeable. I try to keep my ears open.''

Some of Russell's advice is even about basketball.

``He talks a lot about golf,'' O'Brien said with a smile.

In that Russell is big on hoop intellect, it's no surprise that much of what he and the Celtics coach discuss is conceptual.

``One of the things that we were talking about