When the TV cameras show the SuperSonics during a timeout, you might get a glimpse of him at the most. And that's the way SuperSonics assistant coach Tim Grgurich likes it.
But take this man out of the Seattle equation and the Sonics would not be facing the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. They might not even be in the playoffs.
He is proud to be an assistant coach and is one of the best in the game. Grgurich is also a tribute to assistant coaches everywhere, from the men and women who volunteer their time in a kids' leagues to a longtime batting or pitching coach.
The head coaches - Phil Jackson and George Karl in the NBA championship showdown - get the bigger bucks and the glory if they win. But they also get the headaches and the ultimate responsibility.
Grgurich, who will turn 54 next Tuesday, was born and raised in Pittsburgh and was a three-year letterman in baseball and basketball at the University of Pittsburgh.
After getting his degree in physical education, he was an assistant coach with the Panthers' basketball team for eight years and then was named head coach in 1975. In five years, he was 71-70, but 50-32 in the last three seasons.
Still, he was fired as head coach in his hometown and at his alma mater, despite the continuing improvement in the program.
SO he quietly went to UNLV, where he found his niche as Jerry Tarkanian's top assistant for 12 years. Tark was never at a loss for words about Grgurich.
"I have been extremely lucky to have had the best assistant coach in college basketball over the years," Tarkanian said over and over again when I was in Las Vegas covering the team.
He was right. Tarkanian was obviously an outstanding head coach and recruiter, but Grgurich was not only an excellent individual motivator, especially in practice, but he was also invaluable during the games - and before the tipoffs.
Grgurich is also credited with developing the "amoeba defense" - a complicated matchup zone that had great success over the years.
He also was instrumental in developing former Runnin' Rebels Armon Gilliam, Greg Anthony, Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon - who all moved into starting NBA roles.
I have never seen a more dedicated coach at any level. Grgurich was always the first one in his office and the last one to leave the gym, often staying late to help Gilliam - or any player on the team - work on his shooting or some other part of his game.
He never said much to the media, but his presence was huge at UNLV.
When the NCAA and UNLV administration witch hunt ran Tarkanian out of Las Vegas, Grgurich left at the same time for the Sonics in March of 1992. Then he made a mistake, although it was out of loyalty.
Grgurich accepted the job of head coach back at UNLV after Rollie Massimino was forced out. But the pressure to immediately get the Rebels back on the winning track - and to fill the empty Thomas and Mack Center - was too much for the intense Grgurich, who had to be treated for exhaustion and depression before giving up the job.
So he returned to the Sonics and his role as one of the top pro assistants.
I saw him at the Blaisdell Arena last fall, when Seattle was in town to play the Lakers. I told him I had stepped down as sports editor after five years to concentrate on writing. He nodded his head and smiled.
"I bet you're a lot happier," he said as we shook hands.
Tim Grgurich is a tribute to assistant coaches in every sport and at every level.
Seattle wouldn't be in the NBA Finals right now without him. Just ask George Karl - or any of the players.