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dealing with injured players, the Nuggets have a full-time staff of six – Eichenberger and his assistant, two athletic trainers and two physical therapists – who are all there to provide the best treatment available for these world class athletes. The staff communicates with the injured player as much as possible, explaining what they believe in with a particular rehabilitation program, why they believe in it and why it will work. “We’re always there when the player needs us and it’s all about staying positive,” Eichenberger explains. “We rotate different medical staff with the rehab to provide various feels and keep things fresh with the player, and the different faces prevent something like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day with the same day over and over.” In that luxurious locker full of shoes, there was also an 8 x 10 picture of Millsap with the word “UNBREAKABLE” along the bottom. It’s a message and meaning that only Eichenberger and Millsap understand, created by the coach to sustain the confidence and dedication needed when a professional athlete returns from injury. “Paul may not feel the same way returning from his injury,” Eichenberger shares. “I told him that nothing can break him so let’s use one word: UNBREAKABLE. I’m going to be his guide behind the bench and let him know that he’s unbreakable. It’s just between the two of us. It means to be as positive as you can be, help your teammates as much as you can and don’t let anything rattle you. Be stronger.”
“Paul may not feel the same way returning from his injury… I told him that nothing can break him so let’s use one word: UNBREAKABLE.”
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SIR AND SP ORT • SPRING | SUMMER 2018
Millsap’s line that night against the Clips was 4-for-10 from the floor with 9 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal in just 23 minutes. Double those numbers for a full 48 minutes and you’re back in the kind of elite company statistically that the 11-year veteran has become accustomed to. No one was more instrumental in Millsap’s return than Eichenberger, who carries his own story or two about resilience, drive, patience