Brads comments on series vs Nets

[Goldstar88]

I agree with him, but I’m not sure that he should be saying this as the coach of the team facing Brooklyn in the postseason...


"We've been through a lot, and so we're hardened in a lot of ways," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "We've been backs against the wall most of the year and [had] to play tonight to get into the playoffs just to earn the right to play probably the most talented team that's been assembled since I've been in the NBA.

"It takes a lot of effort, it takes a lot of togetherness and it takes staying together through tougher times. We'll get ready for Brooklyn starting Thursday when we get back together. We know that challenge. Those guys are the best of the best, and going into that, if I'm a fan and just a general fan of the NBA, I have a hard time seeing them lose. So we're going to have to play great, we're going to have to play great together and we're going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor."

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31469676/jayson-tatum-explodes-50-boston-celtics-claim-7th-seed-nba-playoffs

[todd_days_41]

what else would he say?

[Jiri Welsch]

When I listened to it live I interpreted the quote as typical coach-speak. Building up your opponent so they can't take anything you say as bulletin board material. And then when you meet with your team pointing out all of your opponent's weaknesses you'll need to capitalize on in order to win.

[Goldstar88]

what else would he say?

You think it’s fine for the coach of Celtics to say that their opponents are the best of the best and that he has a hard time seeing the Nets lose? 

[Vermont Green]

I have no problem with what he said, at least the part that was transcribed here.  He is basically saying that he is going to get the team ready for a really tough task.  In some ways, this is taking pressure off the Celtics.  The Nets are the team of stars.  We are the underdog, backs against the wall, and so on.

All good in my mind.  Let's go shock the world.

[ozgod]

I agree with him, but I’m not sure that he should be saying this as the coach of the team facing Brooklyn in the postseason...


"We've been through a lot, and so we're hardened in a lot of ways," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "We've been backs against the wall most of the year and [had] to play tonight to get into the playoffs just to earn the right to play probably the most talented team that's been assembled since I've been in the NBA.

"It takes a lot of effort, it takes a lot of togetherness and it takes staying together through tougher times. We'll get ready for Brooklyn starting Thursday when we get back together. We know that challenge. Those guys are the best of the best, and going into that, if I'm a fan and just a general fan of the NBA, I have a hard time seeing them lose. So we're going to have to play great, we're going to have to play great together and we're going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor."

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31469676/jayson-tatum-explodes-50-boston-celtics-claim-7th-seed-nba-playoffs

Of all the things Brad says to his team, during games, at practice, at lunch, dinner, or on the team bus, I'm guessing what he says to the media is what they pay attention to the least. They know he has his reasons for saying what he says to the media, as do all players. They all know the task in front of them, whether he says it or not. It just gives us on forums things to discuss and dissect 

[cons]

at least he seems to understand reality

[LilRip]

It’s what everyone’s thinking. The Nets are a juggernaut team on paper. I don’t know if anyone would unbiasedly pick the perpetually underachieving C’s to win the series. Our ace is Tatum and they have the veteran version of him in KD.

I’ll be rooting hard for the C’s but I’d be surprised if this series goes 6 games.

[PhoSita]

what else would he say?

You think it’s fine for the coach of Celtics to say that their opponents are the best of the best and that he has a hard time seeing the Nets lose? 

He's saying his team has an uphill battle, that they're an underdog and unlikely to win unless they play better than people expect.

It's a challenge to his team and it's the sort of thing we hear from coaches every year.

[tonydelk]

So should he say that Brooklyn stinks and the C's will beat them?  The Nets have owned the C's this year and we haven't played the Nets with their big 3.  Of course the C's were never at full strength either but aren't now with JB out.  Everyone thinks this series will be a cake walk.  Similar to the series against Milwaukee when we won game one and got swept after Kyrie quit on us.  The C's will need to play out of their minds to win.  Tatum vs Durant, Kyrie vs Walker, Fournier vs Harris.  The only way we can stay close is if Smart can handle Harden and get him in foul trouble.  Our young guys need to score and we desperately need Timelord.  I can see some close games.  possibly win 1 maybe 2.  I'm not confident the C's can do better then that based off of how this year has gone and how they've played.  If they win it will be a long shot chance.

[W8ting2McHale]

what else would he say?

You think it’s fine for the coach of Celtics to say that their opponents are the best of the best and that he has a hard time seeing the Nets lose? 

Except he didn’t. As you underlined; he said “... if I'm a fan and just a general fan of the NBA, I have a hard time seeing them lose.”

If I am a fan - from the perspective of an NBA fan.

As the Celtics coach, he then said “So we're going to have to play great, we're going to have to play great together and we're going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor."

In other words, I think we can beat them, as long as we do this...”

[Goldstar88]

what else would he say?

You think it’s fine for the coach of Celtics to say that their opponents are the best of the best and that he has a hard time seeing the Nets lose? 

He's saying his team has an uphill battle, that they're an underdog and unlikely to win unless they play better than people expect.

It's a challenge to his team and it's the sort of thing we hear from coaches every year.

Can you imagine Bill saying in his week 4 presser before the TB game: “The Bucs are the super bowl champions, they are the best of the best. I have a hard time seeing them losing to us this week.”

Being the coach, there are things that you just shouldn’t say. Whether it’s true or not...

[Celtics4ever]

If we learned one thing about this year's team is that we can't coast and simply play off our laurels.   We have to bring it and play hard every night.  Hope that sinks in with maturity.

[Goldstar88]

what else would he say?

You think it’s fine for the coach of Celtics to say that their opponents are the best of the best and that he has a hard time seeing the Nets lose? 

Except he didn’t. As you underlined; he said “... if I'm a fan and just a general fan of the NBA, I have a hard time seeing them lose.”

If I am a fan - from the perspective of an NBA fan.

As the Celtics coach, he then said “So we're going to have to play great, we're going to have to play great together and we're going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor."

In other words, I think we can beat them, as long as we do this...”

is he not a fan of the NBA himself?  So fans shouldn’t expect the C’s to win. Got it. Lol.

[slamtheking]

what else would he say?

You think it’s fine for the coach of Celtics to say that their opponents are the best of the best and that he has a hard time seeing the Nets lose? 

He's saying his team has an uphill battle, that they're an underdog and unlikely to win unless they play better than people expect.

It's a challenge to his team and it's the sort of thing we hear from coaches every year.

Can you imagine Bill saying in his week 4 presser before the TB game: “The Bucs are the super bowl champions, they are the best of the best. I have a hard time seeing them losing to us this week.”

Being the coach, there are things that you just shouldn’t say. Whether it’s true or not...

then you should grow a thicker skin or realize the following:
1. no coach with a clue is going to say something that the opposition can post on their locker room walls for motivation. 
2. what a coach says to the media and public is not the same thing he says to his team behind closed doors.