Zach Lowe: Brad Steven's steps of success

[Monkhouse]

Stevens is no mad scientist, though, and possesses no magic formula. So, how does he get results?
ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe offered a glimpse of Stevens’ coaching style Friday, and revealed a straightforward leader who finds success by doing the little things well — like communicating with players

Stevens is careful with language, according to coaches, players and team higher-ups,” Lowe writes.“He focuses on actions: We didn’t get this rebound. You should have made this rotation earlier. The criticism is never about the player’s character. No one is labeled lazy or stupid or selfish. Stevens simply describes what did or did not happen, and what should happen next time.” This approach, Lowe points out, helps maintain continuity and prevent petty bickering that leads to locker room divisions. That strategy seems obvious, but if you follow, say, the Celtics’ current playoff opponent, it clearly doesn’t happen on every team.

Stevens also has stripped away the “bells and whistles” found in other NBA locker rooms, Lowe writes. He doesn’t “regularly host famous guest speakers or take field trips” and actually has banned rookie hazing, wanting first-year players (like Jaylen Brown last season and Jayson Tatum this season) to “take as much ownership of the team as the stars.” “Pranks waste time,” Lowe writes. “(Stevens) was not thrilled last season when culprits unknown filled Brown’s car with popcorn.”The result of these practices is “an environment of serious, hard, consistent work” in Boston that would make Bill Belichick proud (and that the New England Patriots head coach may have influenced). Stevens isn’t a total robot; the C’s coach allows his players to goof off with “celebrity look-alike” games during film sessions and tried defending mammoth center Aron Baynes during a recent practice that resulted in some comic relief.

Read more at: https://nesn.com/2018/05/the-secrets-to-brad-stevens-success-with-celtics-actually-are-quite-simple/

The popcorn hazing part I never understood... That is childish, I get as a prank, it's funny, but not in someone's car, or someone's apartment/house.

Which is funny, because a lot of Kings player used to get popcorned lol.

It's interesting that Stevens tries to implement a hard working culture, I've seen his practice videos and drills, and it's pretty cool. He seems very engaged, but comes off as very stoic and understanding.

A week later, Hayward shattered his leg in the season opener at the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston rallied but lost. It lost again the next night at home to the Milwaukee Bucks. After a win at Philly completed a three-games-in-four-nights whirlwind, Stevens called a meeting to take stock. "We needed to be together," he said.

He told the players Hayward would be OK. But Stevens wanted to shift their focus to the remaining 79 games. He warned them: Don't use your youth as excuse, Stevens and several players recalled. "Expedite your learning curve," Stevens remembered saying. "If there's film to watch, or something you need to work on with a coach, go do it."

I've always loved how Stevens builds up his players and tries to always see the positive in everything.

In Boston's seventh game of the season, Shane Larkin failed to pursue a loose ball along the left sideline:

Stevens removed Larkin at the next stoppage. He didn't play again until garbage time. "I learned right away," Larkin said. "If you don't get a 50-50 ball, you are coming out."

Stevens didn't upbraid Larkin. He approached him calmly and told Larkin why he had been taken out. In evaluating players, both during games and in film sessions, Stevens is careful with language, according to coaches, players and team higher-ups. He focuses on actions: We didn't get this rebound. You should have made this rotation earlier. The criticism is never about the player's character. No one is labeled lazy or stupid or selfish. Stevens simply describes what did or did not happen, and what should happen next time.

That has gone a long way in securing buy-in, players say. They feel Stevens is with them, even as he holds them -- and himself -- to almost impossible standards. That is a hard balance to strike. It is not a show, either.

After losses, Stevens often approaches Ainge and apologizes for "blowing it," Ainge said. "He is always saying that," Ainge said. "Honestly, it's kind of like listening to players blame themselves. He's like a player. He never whines about the players, just himself."

Awesome read, check it out. This will definitely give some other head coaches some thinking about their coaching philosophy. I think Pops is an ultimate head coach, but I can see how his style of coaching can be slightly abrasive.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23465885/zach-lowe-boston-celtics-toughness-nba-playoffs

[csfansince60s]

TP for the work on the insightful post, Monk.

[Kevins Gamble]

Yeah, that was a great read...I hadn't heard about the Larkin thing before.  One play that has seemingly gone overlooked (I want to say it was from Game 3 against Philly) while we were trying to stay alive in the 4th...there was a loose ball in the paint and Larkin just launched himself at it...whole body parallel with the court and punched it out to a teammate.  I'm guessing the lessons learned about Stevens' expectations earlier in the season help mold those type of actions in the playoffs.

[Monkhouse]

Yeah, that was a great read...I hadn't heard about the Larkin thing before.  One play that has seemingly gone overlooked (I want to say it was from Game 3 against Philly) while we were trying to stay alive in the 4th...there was a loose ball in the paint and Larkin just launched himself at it...whole body parallel with the court and punched it out to a teammate.  I'm guessing the lessons learned about Stevens' expectations earlier in the season help mold those type of actions in the playoffs.

TP for the work on the insightful post, Monk.

I remember two years ago, Marcus Smart was upset with some play during practice, and he was frustrated with himself. Stevens came up to him, broke the situation down, and told him, "don't give up, push through Marcus, we need you. You mean a lot to this team."

And thanks csfansince60s!

I enjoyed the read.

I completely agree Kevins Gamble, I think Stevens has always been preparing his team for the playoffs regardless of it's an game time situation, or a practice. He gets them ready, and prepared with plenty of film sessions, and infinite amount of studying lol. It's almost like college basketball all over again, minus the celebrity status, and the millions of dollars their making.   

[ChillyWilly]

Wonder if this philosophy would have the same effect in other work environments. Especially in a department with high skill professionals.

[BringToughnessBack]

Thinking my handle here is back in fashion again! This team is in the ECF and toughness has been instilled in our youth by our inspirational coach.

[blink]

This guy is so wise beyond his years.  He practices what he preaches as far as accountability.  I like a no-nonsense approach.  These guys are pros, they need to practice being pros and limit the distractions if they want to achieve their goals.  So glad Brad is the head coach.