Ainge seems enthusiastic about all these bigs, but Stevens talks like he wants them to play some on the perimeter. Kanter, for example. That would take away from his main game, which is offensive rebounding and inside scoring.
I wish the media would confront Ainge and Stevens about this--is there a conflict in their thinking?
^this. I'm worried about how Brad will play our big men, it seems like he wants them all to shoot threes and hang outside the perimeter.
me too....he has shown an inflexibility to coach in different ways and with hard personalities like Kyrie . This might be his NBA undoing.
Brad's honeymoon is over, trust me. He will be under the microscope next season.
I don't think that's true. He didn't do a great job this past season, but he has been good most of his career. One season doesn't wipe that out. Sure he needs to be better this season, but I think Danny really believes in Brad and I would not say that he is in any way in danger of losing his job, even if the team under performs again. He might be under increased scrutiny from fans and media, but that's just background noise.
You do not think the fans matter to Danny? If the fans do not matter perhaps it is time for Danny to go too. The last championship was 2008. This is the Boston Celtics we are talking about, not the Atlanta Hawks who are just satisfied to be in the NBA. Brad Stevens is going into year 7 if I am not mistaken. Time to start producing, or dump that no inside game style he coaches.
well, we are getting far afield from the thread theme. but to add to the above, you imply and seem to assume that an "inside" game will produce the championships that have been missing for the past 11 years.
yet, for how many of those years did the celtics have stevens as coach, with his "outside game"? further, since 2014 when tim duncan was on the championship spurs team, how many teams have been marked by a strong, defining "inside game"?
this is not our father's nba and stevens understands that winning now means playing a different style of basketball. the problem seems less stevens strategy than the lack of talent that will play team ball.
Celtics need an inside game, I do not believe Tacko Fall is the short term answer.
To your point about recent Championship winners. Unless I am wrong the last 3 teams to win NBA are Warriors, Cavs, and Toronto. All three had rim protection and rim runners, do not kid yourself. NBA is still a big man's game.
You need a good inside game to at least handle those times when the threes are not falling. You need an inside game to grab those rebounds to get you extra possessions, and those morale breaking put back baskets that ruin 22-23 seconds of excellent perimeter defense.
Brad's love of small ball is not the answer. Tacko Fall is not the answer. You need serviceable bigs, playing big and not camped on the three point line jacking up threes