Should Brad Stevens be fired?

[Phantom255x]

I know it’s not really in his nature, but I think that actually was a spark. Notice how the team looked animated in the 2nd half and played so determined. And of course, when he was yelling at the team during a timeout in the 4th while they were trying to close it out. Refreshing to see, and they actually held a lead well.

The atmosphere of the team and guys on the bench seemed to change a ton from what it was in the 1st, and then the 4th.

Wish we saw more of this from Brad. Hope to continue seeing it too.

[ozgod]

So how much credit does Brad get for the 2nd half turnaround? After all he caused us to miss 75% of our shots in the 1st half, and made us keep taking 3s in the first quarter.    Does he have a hand in them actually following the game plan and attacking the zone by driving to the rim and drawing fouls or kicking the ball out like they were supposed to in the first place?

I know what it is...I think that Brad gave the PS4/Xbox game controller to someone else in the 2nd half (maybe Mike Zarren) which is why the team started playing better all of a sudden 

[Tr1boy]

Brad best game as a coach of the Celts thus far

In a blink of an eye I thought he was Nick Nurse for a sec.

Good to see

Strategy and effort

If team wins or loses you can live with it

Nice job to stick with Kanter and hit Hayward near the basket etc. messing up their defensive comfort

[ozgod]

I know it’s not really in his nature, but I think that actually was a spark. Notice how the team looked animated in the 2nd half and played so determined. And of course, when he was yelling at the team during a timeout in the 4th while they were trying to close it out. Refreshing to see, and they actually held a lead well.

The atmosphere of the team and guys on the bench seemed to change a ton from what it was in the 1st, and then the 4th.

Wish we saw more of this from Brad. Hope to continue seeing it too.

Here's Brad on being caught yelling at his team and the refs, ruining his choirboy image:

https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1309698713498116096

[SHAQATTACK]

Please don't let Brad go off the deep end

and bark a four letter bomb 

[trickybilly]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

[gouki88]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

Pretty obvious that he was praising how they were playing. The players felt the same way. Not sure how that's even remotely worth criticising

[trickybilly]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

Pretty obvious that he was praising how they were playing. The players felt the same way. Not sure how that's even remotely worth criticising

Praise.

OK.

Woof!

[Ogaju]

last game could be the game Brad needed to find his voice and really believe that he can lead this team.  With that confidence he can assert his authority over the team, and start working the refs.

Have you noticed that recently when the players are interviewed they do not give any credit to Brad.

What do they call him by the way? That may go a long way to see the amount of respect they have for him.

[RodyTur10]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

Pretty obvious that he was praising how they were playing. The players felt the same way. Not sure how that's even remotely worth criticising

It was a true observation. The way they played the second half was the first time this series that I felt the Celtics really played up to their standard.

Until now I had the feeling we were losing to the Heat instead of them winning against us. When we play like that second half the challenge is up to the Heat to try to beat us.

[Neurotic Guy]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

Pretty obvious that he was praising how they were playing. The players felt the same way. Not sure how that's even remotely worth criticising

It was a true observation. The way they played the second half was the first time this series that I felt the Celtics really played up to their standard.

Until now I had the feeling we were losing to the Heat instead of them winning against us. When we play like that second half the challenge is up to the Heat to try to beat us.

C’s in the second half had desperation as a motivator while Heat eventually had the ability to go through through the motions a bit up 3-1.  They are pros, but emotion and adrenal can sway a game under these circumstances.   Heat (imo) has been better and more consistent this series so unless the C’s found something sustainable to turn the tide, these last 2 games will be tough.  Heat has won all the close ones and that’s troubling. Also last 2 games, Heat came out of the gate better, not forfeiting huge leads that they had to whittle  at all game. 

I’m not a good coach analyzer but it seemed CBS used TOs better (at least one) and good substitutions to get the C’s in the game before the half. I always think that I see and hear SO much less of Stevens than others do - I assume it’s my focus (or lack thereof) - but some of it is legit - there is a lot more to his coaching than meets the eye - and that could be good or bad.   Re: locker room inspiration- I assume there are coaches who defer the verbal inspiration to players by design.  That wouldn’t necessarily be bad coaching but is a coaching decision that either works or doesn’t.

[trickybilly]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

Pretty obvious that he was praising how they were playing. The players felt the same way. Not sure how that's even remotely worth criticising

It was a true observation. The way they played the second half was the first time this series that I felt the Celtics really played up to their standard.

Until now I had the feeling we were losing to the Heat instead of them winning against us. When we play like that second half the challenge is up to the Heat to try to beat us.

C’s in the second half had desperation as a motivator while Heat eventually had the ability to go through through the motions a bit up 3-1.  They are pros, but emotion and adrenal can sway a game under these circumstances.   Heat (imo) has been better and more consistent this series so unless the C’s found something sustainable to turn the tide, these last 2 games will be tough.  Heat has won all the close ones and that’s troubling. Also last 2 games, Heat came out of the gate better, not forfeiting huge leads that they had to whittle  at all game. 

I’m not a good coach analyzer but it seemed CBS used TOs better (at least one) and good substitutions to get the C’s in the game before the half. I always think that I see and hear SO much less of Stevens than others do - I assume it’s my focus (or lack thereof) - but some of it is legit - there is a lot more to his coaching than meets the eye - and that could be good or bad.   Re: locker room inspiration- I assume there are coaches who defer the verbal inspiration to players by design.  That wouldn’t necessarily be bad coaching but is a coaching decision that either works or doesn’t.

Hmm, could be that we are in the golden era of conspiracy theories, but it sounds to me like he is laying the foundation for a "we didn't play Celtic basketball.. i.e. the _players_ didn't play Celtic basketball" - trying to deflect any potential later criticism for _really_ struggling how to pierce the zone. He knew he was mic'd up

Anyway, I'm not in the Fire Stevens camp at all, it just seems like a Gene Hackman movie quote that doesn't seem appropriate at all - like maybe say it to the media afterwards, but to a bunch of grown men? Weird.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

[cman88]

honestly the difference between the Heat and Celtics this series has been that the Heat have been playing loose and free while you can tell the celtics are playing tight afraid to miss a shot or lose a rebound or blow a lead and end up front rimming shots or turning it over.

the 2nd half last night was the first time it looked like they were playing loose

[footey]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

Pretty obvious that he was praising how they were playing. The players felt the same way. Not sure how that's even remotely worth criticising

I agree. Actually it was a correct observation, and reminded the players when they play the right way, they are really good, unbeatable in fact.

I regret starting this thread.  It was out of anger following game 2 loss.  Man I really hope we pull this series out, so I can change the title.

[BitterJim]

Saying "that's the first time we've played Celtics basketball in three games" is such a weird thing to say. Can anyone explain how that is possibly useful?

Pretty obvious that he was praising how they were playing. The players felt the same way. Not sure how that's even remotely worth criticising

It was a true observation. The way they played the second half was the first time this series that I felt the Celtics really played up to their standard.

Until now I had the feeling we were losing to the Heat instead of them winning against us. When we play like that second half the challenge is up to the Heat to try to beat us.

C’s in the second half had desperation as a motivator while Heat eventually had the ability to go through through the motions a bit up 3-1.  They are pros, but emotion and adrenal can sway a game under these circumstances.   Heat (imo) has been better and more consistent this series so unless the C’s found something sustainable to turn the tide, these last 2 games will be tough.  Heat has won all the close ones and that’s troubling. Also last 2 games, Heat came out of the gate better, not forfeiting huge leads that they had to whittle  at all game. 

I’m not a good coach analyzer but it seemed CBS used TOs better (at least one) and good substitutions to get the C’s in the game before the half. I always think that I see and hear SO much less of Stevens than others do - I assume it’s my focus (or lack thereof) - but some of it is legit - there is a lot more to his coaching than meets the eye - and that could be good or bad.   Re: locker room inspiration- I assume there are coaches who defer the verbal inspiration to players by design.  That wouldn’t necessarily be bad coaching but is a coaching decision that either works or doesn’t.

Hmm, could be that we are in the golden era of conspiracy theories, but it sounds to me like he is laying the foundation for a "we didn't play Celtic basketball.. i.e. the _players_ didn't play Celtic basketball" - trying to deflect any potential later criticism for _really_ struggling how to pierce the zone. He knew he was mic'd up

Anyway, I'm not in the Fire Stevens camp at all, it just seems like a Gene Hackman movie quote that doesn't seem appropriate at all - like maybe say it to the media afterwards, but to a bunch of grown men? Weird.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Really? "We finally played *our* game" is pretty standard coach-to-player talk in every sport I've played