Wilt figured out pretty quickly that he was hired, not for his bellhop skills, but so he could make their team nigh unbeatable, which he did. Wilt knew he was about to be a major star in the NBA, soon to be rich and famous. So how do you think Wilt approached the bellhop part of his job? Demeaning work, picking up the bags of guests. He could certainly have blown it off, dragged his feet, or done it but resented it.

But that’s not what he did. He made a decision that he was going to be the best “f”ing bellhop that place had seen or ever would see. And people said he was. First to the bags. Great with the guests. He once jumped through a window to get to the bags. Terrific with the other bellhops. Kept in touch with people well beyond that summer.

My question is, Why? He had no earthly reason to do that, to go all in like that. Why did he do it? I never met Wilt so what do I know, but here’s my theory: Just because. For no reason except…he just wanted to. I have to believe he had a blast and was always able to look back at that time and smile.