Criticism of Stevens' Lack of Communication With Players per Sporting News

[footey]

According to NBA writer Sean Deveney, Stevens' communication style may have alienated players in the past:

"A veteran player told me a couple of years ago that his role in Boston was tough because he was never really told what was expected of him and that Stevens didn't necessarily connect with players. That appeared to be the case this season, too, when the Celtics had a chemistry meltdown and Stevens could not rein in his locker room.


"One agent told me, 'Most players don't need their hands held, but they want to know where they stand and what they need to do. That's not always coming from Stevens and it can be frustrating.'"

[jpotter33]

Absolutely. This is one of the main criticisms that many of us on here had for Stevens. He didn’t clarify the roles, which is absolutely 100% part of his job as the head coach. That was one of the major underlying causes of this year’s dysfunction.

[PhoSita]

I wonder if part of the reason some players may feel this way is that Brad seems to prefer a system in which players don't have one clear cut role or responsibility.  There is no guy on the floor who is told to simply "grab every available rebound and put the ball in the basket if you get it within 3 feet," for example. 


I could see how some guys would come in and feel frustrated that they don't have a more clear role if they feel that they're being asked to do a little bit of everything and kind of adapt or improvise depending on what is happening with a given play. 


Whereas some players might really enjoy that and appreciate being empowered to use a lot of different skills.

[gift]

Came here to post that this was a criticism in the past, but it turns out the claim is from the past (maybe the same one) with speculation that it also affected this last year's team.

Who was the main player who was critical of Stevens not communicating? Was it Gerald Wallace? Keith Bogans? Courtney Lee maybe? I can't remember now. But my memory is that it was someone who didn't have much a role to begin with and I always thought that's where the motivation for that criticism came from.

[RJ87]

Absolutely. This is one of the main criticisms that many of us on here had for Stevens. He didn’t clarify the roles, which is absolutely 100% part of his job as the head coach. That was one of the major underlying causes of this year’s dysfunction.

It was pretty obvious to me that guys just didn't know their roles most of the year. There was no hierarchy and guys were just left to freelance. I also thought that the earlier article about Stevens letting the locker room police itself and when he tried to step in, it was already too late was also pretty disappointing. What the heck was he doing this year?

[bdm860]

I feel like this is the opposite of what I've heard, or at least the impression I've gotten.  Here's something I wrote up from Dec of this season when Jackie MacMullan was on Zack Lowe's podcast:

A great Celtics-centric podcast.

One cool thing they touch on late in the podcast (about 38 minutes in or so), they start talking about how savage Brad Stevens is.  They lead into this by talking about how Stevens yanked Tatum early a couple of times and one time didn't even start him in the 2nd half.  Everybody thinks Brad is so even keeled and doesn't show emotion, but he's really a beast and doesn't mess around.  Lowe tells a Shane Larkin story about how he didn't get a loose ball, so Stevens took him out and says if you don't get that loose ball you're not going to play (Lowe says he went back and watched the play and it was not an easy loose ball to get).

Then Jackie tells a story.  She was asking Evan Turner about what Stevens says when he takes you out of a game because he looks so even keeled and never shows emotion.  Turner says you got to look closely, he's saying all this stuff under his breath that you can't see/hear, "if you think you're gonna get away with this your mistaken, i may or may not put you back in."

I guess re-reading what I just wrote, it's not surprising to hear from a coach, but it's just surprising because of how laid back and gentle Stevens appears to be.

Brad Stevens lets you know what he's looking for.  If he pulls you, you'll know why.  At least that's the impression I've gotten.

[footey]

Absolutely. This is one of the main criticisms that many of us on here had for Stevens. He didn’t clarify the roles, which is absolutely 100% part of his job as the head coach. That was one of the major underlying causes of this year’s dysfunction.

It was pretty obvious to me that guys just didn't know their roles most of the year. There was no hierarchy and guys were just left to freelance. I also thought that the earlier article about Stevens letting the locker room police itself and when he tried to step in, it was already too late was also pretty disappointing. What the heck was he doing this year?

Not exactly true. Rozier basically said they would practice it, but then guys (probably Kyrie) would sabotage what they practiced in games.

I think Brad's hands were tied with Kyrie; tried not to p--- him off. Now that he is gone, Brad can be more forceful as a coach, and prevent disruptions simply by sitting dudes who don't follow game plan. Couldn't do that last year.

[Fafnir]

Absolutely. This is one of the main criticisms that many of us on here had for Stevens. He didn’t clarify the roles, which is absolutely 100% part of his job as the head coach. That was one of the major underlying causes of this year’s dysfunction.

It was pretty obvious to me that guys just didn't know their roles most of the year. There was no hierarchy and guys were just left to freelance. I also thought that the earlier article about Stevens letting the locker room police itself and when he tried to step in, it was already too late was also pretty disappointing. What the heck was he doing this year?

Know their roles?

I don't think anyone didn't know what they were supposed to do, they just didn't accept it. And given that Kyrie had issues with how the offense was run it sounds like that started at the top and trickled on down.

[cltc5]

This past year has been a top to bottom failure.  Celtics frontnoffice ahoulda stepped in.  Brad shoulda been more vocal and definitive, young players shoulda shut up and played.  Al shoulda spoke up.  Kyrie should all shut up and played.  What a cluster of a mess.

To some degree there needs to be leadership but on the other hand, adults need to act like adults.  I suppose in this day and age that’s something that needs taught too.

[PhoSita]

Absolutely. This is one of the main criticisms that many of us on here had for Stevens. He didn’t clarify the roles, which is absolutely 100% part of his job as the head coach. That was one of the major underlying causes of this year’s dysfunction.

It was pretty obvious to me that guys just didn't know their roles most of the year. There was no hierarchy and guys were just left to freelance. I also thought that the earlier article about Stevens letting the locker room police itself and when he tried to step in, it was already too late was also pretty disappointing. What the heck was he doing this year?

Know their roles?

I don't think anyone didn't know what they were supposed to do, they just didn't accept it. And given that Kyrie had issues with how the offense was run it sounds like that started at the top and trickled on down.

Very important distinction.

[timpiker]

What a croc.  Know their roles is a lame excuse.  How about play basketball?  Then run the play called.  There's only 1 thing to believe from an anonymous source.  That they're a Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. for hiding.

[celticinorlando]

Kyrie and Rozier created their own roles...mainly take every shot and play iso basketball. Get those 2 malcontents out of Boston and watch things improve.

[RJ87]

Kyrie and Rozier created their own roles...mainly take every shot and play iso basketball. Get those 2 malcontents out of Boston and watch things improve.

Because Jayson Tatum never ever plays iso basketball.

[celticinorlando]

Kyrie and Rozier created their own roles...mainly take every shot and play iso basketball. Get those 2 malcontents out of Boston and watch things improve.

Because Jayson Tatum never ever plays iso basketball.

Think Tatum has a better chance of adapting to what the team wants than Rozier and Kyrie. Blaming Stevens for the chemistry issue is an easy out. Hard to coach guys that don't want to be coached.

Kyrie Irving is a malcontent. He has had issues with every coach and and team he has been on. He has left a trail of tears.

[RJ87]

Kyrie and Rozier created their own roles...mainly take every shot and play iso basketball. Get those 2 malcontents out of Boston and watch things improve.

Because Jayson Tatum never ever plays iso basketball.

Think Tatum has a better chance of adapting to what the team wants than Rozier and Kyrie. Blaming Stevens for the chemistry issue is an easy out. Hard to coach guys that don't want to be coached.

Kyrie Irving is a malcontent. He has had issues with every coach and and team he has been on. He has left a trail of tears.

Blaming Kyrie for every single thing is also the easy way out. Kyrie is gone, so making him the scapegoat means all of the team's problems are magically solved. It'll be interesting to see how things shake out next season when Gordon doesn't have his Jesus-like resurrection, Tatum continues to rely on midrange shots and Jaylen goes AWOL for half a season again. Will we be allowed to question Brad then?