Should Brad Stevens be fired?

[footey]

He could have done better, but can't blame this on Stevens. Ultimately the difference was Bam killing our bigs. Stevens was left with Theis who's a decent backup big but shouldn't be our starter, Kanter who's too slow to defend many of today's big men, Rob Williams who's still lost on most plays, and Grant Williams, and undersized rookie.

The other factor was the Heat's shooters. That Herro pick right before Langford cost us a trip to the Finals and maybe a title. Ainge slammed the table for a reason. We have to add a shooter and a better big man, and that's on Ainge.

Disagree about Rob. He played real well whenever given the chance. Just no opportunities

[hpantazo]

He could have done better, but can't blame this on Stevens. Ultimately the difference was Bam killing our bigs. Stevens was left with Theis who's a decent backup big but shouldn't be our starter, Kanter who's too slow to defend many of today's big men, Rob Williams who's still lost on most plays, and Grant Williams, and undersized rookie.

The other factor was the Heat's shooters. That Herro pick right before Langford cost us a trip to the Finals and maybe a title. Ainge slammed the table for a reason. We have to add a shooter and a better big man, and that's on Ainge.

Disagree about Rob. He played real well whenever given the chance. Just no opportunities

Rob made nice plays but also lost his assignment just as often and left guys open. Hopefully he improves on that and becomes the big that we need, but he's not there yet.

[footey]

Don't mind me for bumping this thread but GET RID OF HIM NOWWWWW

His fault the Heat shot 56% tonight, and 48% on threes.

His fault his team didn't play good enough defense, and doing terrible substitutions with Theis and not Timelord or GWill. And when they went on that 22-6 run, the Celtics just flat out quit by bricking many 3's.

And they still brick 3's when they should have attacked the paint more.

Right, because the players get no blame for lack of execution.

And, Theis isn’t the reason we lost.

He was one of several, along with a limping Gordon Hayward and an overwhelmed Kemba (who will probably have his knee scoped). Brown, Tatum and Smart were studs.

[jpotter33]

I'm pretty sure Brad's not going to get fired

Very true.  Teams generally don’t fire coaches a month and a half after giving them a contract extension.

Not to mention making the ECF three times in four years.

It's also more the fact that I don't think there's a compelling alternative out there. D'Antoni? Jim Boylen? Stan Van Gundy? Ty Lue? Alvin Gentry?

Sad as it is, agree that Brad won't be fired, though I do think his position is less secure than most assume now with yet another folding in the ECF. But a few counterpoints:

1) There's literally precedent this year of a coach (McMillan) being let go after an extension. It's rarer, but it does happen.

2) Yes, we've been to the ECF three times in four years, yet the same result has happened each time and we haven't been able to close the gap due to poor play down the stretch in all of those series, much of which is on Brad. This series in particular was primarily on Brad for his lack of adjustments and questionable other in-game decisions.

3) I keep pushing the Kenny Atkinson train for us. I liked him in Brooklyn and I think he'd be a good guy for us. I find SVG, McMillan, and Gentry intriguing, too, though I not completely sold on them. No on Lue and D'Antoni, who I don't think would be great fits for this team.

[GreenEnvy]

The only thing I blame Brad for tonight was not using the challenge on the Smart blocking foul when they were down 7.

I can’t blame him for Theis fouling out. Or Walker getting that 3rd foul with 0.7 seconds left in the 2nd. Those certainly altered the game immensely IMO, but some blame has to fall on the players themselves.

This was the first series I believe Brad was outcoached that I can recall. In the grand scheme of things, he’s still getting better himself.

[gouki88]

I'm pretty sure Brad's not going to get fired

Very true.  Teams generally don’t fire coaches a month and a half after giving them a contract extension.

Not to mention making the ECF three times in four years.

It's also more the fact that I don't think there's a compelling alternative out there. D'Antoni? Jim Boylen? Stan Van Gundy? Ty Lue? Alvin Gentry?

I think I'm going crazy but I would love to see D'Antoni unleash Tatum and Brown on offence. Should revolutionise coaching and go with an offensive coordinator (D'Antoni) and a defensive coordinator (Stevens)

[footey]

I’d love to see Danny Fire Brad and take over as coach. His heart couldn’t take it I guess.

[liam]

He could have done better, but can't blame this on Stevens. Ultimately the difference was Bam killing our bigs. Stevens was left with Theis who's a decent backup big but shouldn't be our starter, Kanter who's too slow to defend many of today's big men, Rob Williams who's still lost on most plays, and Grant Williams, and undersized rookie.

The other factor was the Heat's shooters. That Herro pick right before Langford cost us a trip to the Finals and maybe a title. Ainge slammed the table for a reason. We have to add a shooter and a better big man, and that's on Ainge.

Disagree about Rob. He played real well whenever given the chance. Just no opportunities

TIMELORD played 4 minutes and had 2 pts and 2 rebounds and was a plus 3...

Kanter played 8 minutes and was a -11

[GreenCoffeeBean]

I’d say yes if there was a suitable replacement. Too bad Chicago got Donovan already.

[jpotter33]

I'm pretty sure Brad's not going to get fired

Very true.  Teams generally don’t fire coaches a month and a half after giving them a contract extension.

Not to mention making the ECF three times in four years.

It's also more the fact that I don't think there's a compelling alternative out there. D'Antoni? Jim Boylen? Stan Van Gundy? Ty Lue? Alvin Gentry?

I think I'm going crazy but I would love to see D'Antoni unleash Tatum and Brown on offence. Should revolutionise coaching and go with an offensive coordinator (D'Antoni) and a defensive coordinator (Stevens)

That's a really interesting idea, though I'm not sure that I like those specific options or how feasible something like that is. Also, the game of basketball is much more fluid than football, and one's defensive philosophy is inherently tied into the offensive philosophy (e.g. do you stay for offensive rebounds or get back for transition D).

[Green-18]

I’d say yes if there was a suitable replacement. Too bad Chicago got Donovan already.

What makes Donovan a qualified candidate above Brad?  His playoff resume consists of a blown 3-1 lead in the Conference Finals and a bunch of 1st round exits....

[SparzWizard]

Does Gregg Popovich wanna coach for this team lol he'll light a fire under these young boys' bums

[gouki88]

I'm pretty sure Brad's not going to get fired

Very true.  Teams generally don’t fire coaches a month and a half after giving them a contract extension.

Not to mention making the ECF three times in four years.

It's also more the fact that I don't think there's a compelling alternative out there. D'Antoni? Jim Boylen? Stan Van Gundy? Ty Lue? Alvin Gentry?

I think I'm going crazy but I would love to see D'Antoni unleash Tatum and Brown on offence. Should revolutionise coaching and go with an offensive coordinator (D'Antoni) and a defensive coordinator (Stevens)

That's a really interesting idea, though I'm not sure that I like those specific options or how feasible something like that is. Also, the game of basketball is much more fluid than football, and one's defensive philosophy is inherently tied into the offensive philosophy (e.g. do you stay for offensive rebounds or get back for transition D).

Yeah, I'm not even sure if it's a genuine idea or the ramblings of an angry fan. The two coordinators would have to be on the exact same page, otherwise it would get ugly

[gouki88]

Does Gregg Popovich wanna coach for this team lol he'll light a fire under these young boys' bums

Man, imagine that. I don't know why he would so close to retirement (I imagine), but that would be something. Especially after coaching guys for Team USA

[mr. dee]

Does Gregg Popovich wanna coach for this team lol he'll light a fire under these young boys' bums

Pops is the Spurs just like Red was the Boston Celtics.