Better Coach: Stevens or Udoka?

[Roy H.]

Put your hot takes on record, haha.

[Donoghus]

Gotta see how Ime handles the playoffs first.

[Kernewek]

Hard to say after one season but I think Stevens was always in his element coaching teams with low expectations, and so far Udoka may not have that same ceiling on his coaching.

[pokeKingCurtis]

This is terribly hard because I like both of them a lot (didn't feel the same way for Doc to be honest, who was coach when I first became a celts fan). I'm very spoilt as a fan.

I'll probably wait til the playoffs, as the above poster suggested

[18isGREATERthan72]

X's and O's?  Brad.

Relating to players, and getting people to compete at higher levels?  Ime.

I think overall Brad is probably a better coach, but if you can't get your players to execute at the level they are capable of, then that doesn't mean as much.  Regardless of if it is fair or not, Ime has gotten these guys (to this point) to play very hard.

We'll see what the playoffs bring for Ime though.

[jambr380]

Brad Stevens was one of the best coaches in the league throughout his tenure and brought the team to three ECF. Ime inherited a much better team than Brad did when he took over, but the players stopped listening to Brad for whatever reason; so Ime deserves credit for helping turn around whatever was going on the previous season. Ime is also just awful at the end of close games, but I am hoping that is something that will develop in time.

So I unequivocally say Brad, but Ime has the potential to surpass him and I am excited to see how this team continues to evolve under him.

[Goldstar88]

Will vote after the playoffs, haha. Brad seems like he’s better with the X’s/O’s and making adjustments. Ime seems better at getting through to his players and motivating them, which is probably more important at this point.

[greg683x]

X's and O's?  Brad.

Relating to players, and getting people to compete at higher levels?  Ime.

I think overall Brad is probably a better coach, but if you can't get your players to execute at the level they are capable of, then that doesn't mean as much.  Regardless of if it is fair or not, Ime has gotten these guys (to this point) to play very hard.

We'll see what the playoffs bring for Ime though.

I know last year was a disappointing year, but I think the 2015-16, and 2016- 2017 team are great examples of Brad getting his players playing to the level theyre capable of, some would argue he exceeded the ceiling that most people thought those teams had

[pablohoney]

Agree that until we see how Ime coaches in playoffs it’s not a fair comparison.

I will say this.  Ime has coached up every player on this roster to the point they are playing the best of their careers.  Grant was the scape goat and now he is a top 5 three point shooter.  Rob was a guy who couldnt get on the court and now he is DPOY candidate. Smart was a 6th man combo guard and now he is looking like a legit top PG.  Tatum was always a great scorer who didn’t make others better and now he is a top 5 MVP candidate.  Brown couldn’t play next to Tatum and now has just run off something like 9 straight 25+ point games while letting Tatum run the team as it’s alpha.  The team has best defense in NBA by far when healthy and is playing the most beautiful offensive basketball we have seen out of Celtics team since 2007-9.

This is NOT the most talented roster since Doc left for LA but it is far and away playing the best.  This season was supposed to be a bridge year that we all wrote off and now we are thinking that with a healthy RW we have a shot at finals.

Ime may not draw up in bound plays like Brad but that doesn’t really mean as much as fans like to make out.  In the way that an NBA coach really matters - bringing out the best in his players - it has really been no contest.  Ime has been better….and I really like Brad and thought he was a great coach.

[pablohoney]

X

[Wretch]

Not going to vote one over the other because it's obvious they're both brilliant coaches.

Before people bury BS the coach we need to remember that BS the coach had to coach around a career altering injuries to all stars in GH and Kemba, toxic personalities like Kyrie and Tristan Thompson, the bubble and an entire season without practices or in person meetings. Also DA kept on trading useful players away, like Thies and Green, instead of a player like TT to get under the tax.

DA was a great GM but his last couple of years of FA and salary cap moves hurt BS the coach.

[Vermont Green]

I voted Ime.  I think both are good coaches.  Ime is in his rookie season as a head coach though so you are comparing a rookie with a coach who had what 8 seasons?

Point is that Ime will get better and probably pass Brad.

[SHAQATTACK]

I think Ime has the better grip on the teams best players ,  I m think he comes across better.  Brad is a half court genius and great scout of talent though .  Ime might be the better battlefield general as he seems a bit more emotional….not much but I sense it ..LOL 

I believe with Brad and Ime working together making trades and drafting ,  With some luck and smart trades , I suspect Ime will eclipse him in fairly short order.

[bdm860]

I voted Ime.  I think both are good coaches.  Ime is in his rookie season as a head coach though so you are comparing a rookie with a coach who had what 8 seasons?

Point is that Ime will get better and probably pass Brad.

One problem with this might be coaches can get tuned out after a while, and I think that's one of the things that happened with Stevens.

Larry Bird's theory is a coach's optimal effectiveness is only 3 years, though his theory also has its fair share of critics and counter examples.  But there is a possibility that if the top of the C's roster stays the same over the next several seasons, they might eventually start to tune Ime out.

Ime could get better as he gets more seasons under his belt, but he could also get stale.

[dannyboy35]

  Both are great defensive coaches but Ime is a far superior offensive coach. Way more off ball movement and he knows that you need to bring a player to the foul line to break a zone once in awhile. We lost our chance at the finals because of this ONE problem.
   Ime is far superior in being able to counter opposing defenses. Brad was all high pick and roll often with the wrong player . For example a weakened Kemba Walker . Brad had a Jaylen standing in the corner.
  It’s not even close in my opinion.