Is Brad Stevens still helping with Xs & Os?

[CBS_Take a Report]

Ime has managed a nearly flawless playoffs with game:game adjustments that have solved every pitfall.

Are Brad Stevens fingerprints on these game:game adjustments?

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

[RMO]

I doubt it.  Brad doesn't seem like a micro manager.

[86MaxwellSmart]

I was thinking the same thing last night, cause Brad had the cure for the Warriors in the past.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I'm sure they pick each other's brains from time to time, but I'd be very surprised if Brad is actively doing any coaching duty... unless requested.

[Roy H.]

I think Ime and his staff have got it handled on their own.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm guessing Brad has an open door policy to give advice and talk Xs and Os anytime Ime wants, but never offers anything unasked for. 

I'm also guessing from Ime's confidence that he doesn't ask a lot, but then again I'm not sure he's needed to. He's out-coached every coach so far in the playoffs.

[Celtics2021]

Udoka has talked about how Brad is there if needed/asked, but gives him space otherwise.  And that sometimes that resource has been tapped into.

[nickagneta]

From an article at ESPN.com today:

"It was a different situation that a lot of people may not think is appealing, but I think it's only a benefit to have a guy that's coached for seven, eight years in the building with the same guys down the hall," Udoka said about how things have fallen into place.

"We talk about every situation [Stevens has] been through and kind of lend his support as far as that. But also step back and let me do my thing. In a unique situation, it's helped out this year for sure."

[ScoobyDoo]

I think Stevens is one of the best X's and O's minds in the league today. I think any coach having that resource to go to when they choose is invaluable. Ime can go to Brad and pick his brain, collaborate together. It's a very, very good situation.

I think Ime biggest strengths is being that coach who will seriously light up guys when they are not doing their jobs. Most of the great coaches who have achieved serious winning percentages and often multiple titles, have that quality (Riley, Jackson, Popovich, etc.). I love Stevens as a coach for many ways, but I think Ime is a heavier hitter in this aspect and it is critical.

Clearly Ime does a lot of other things very well - but again, I'm sure Ime is calling all his own shots but doesn't undervalue the resource he has in Stevens and exercises it whenever he wants - as he should.

But I would say this is clearly Ime's show.

Ainge and Stevens construction as far as all the core pieces (I'm sure Stevens had meaningful input throughout the draft, free agency and draft processes.

Stevens has doen a tremendous job since taking over of making the fringe moves to give the team a shot to win (Horford, Theis, White). We are flat out not in the finals without those moves. This is an area Ainge sorely underperformed in

Ime's show...   

Brad's team (tremendous work around   

[gouki88]

I think there'd be more overall kind of top-down discussions, rather than trying to get Brad's input on specific plays and Xs and Os. I feel that if Brad were overly involved it might serve to undermine Ime's position, especially amongst all the players that spent years under Brad.

[pokeKingCurtis]

I think there'd be more overall kind of top-down discussions, rather than trying to get Brad's input on specific plays and Xs and Os. I feel that if Brad were overly involved it might serve to undermine Ime's position, especially amongst all the players that spent years under Brad.

Yea right? I dunno if people don't really work for big-ish organizations or what, but if you hire someone for the job you gotta hand them the keys...

Maybe cos LeBron, the Nets and the Lakers have really screwed up people's perception of what's normal

Edit: I shouldn't generalize I guess, I guess many big organizations (and small ones) are also prone to toxic behavior. But I just feel a professionally run organization should kind of have proper delegation...

[Yuckabuck33]

I think Brad doesn't direct Ime as much as we think. It's been my opinion that we defended Giannis and the Warriors different than when Brad was coaching somewhat. I could be wrong.

[LilRip]

I think Brad doesn't direct Ime as much as we think. It's been my opinion that we defended Giannis and the Warriors different than when Brad was coaching somewhat. I could be wrong.

The change in personnel matters. In CBS days , the team usually had to scramble out of an unfavorable IT, Kyrie or Kemba switch. And usually, Smart took on that duty of switching with those small guys. Now, there’s barely a weakness on this lineup. Even Pritchard, despite his diminutive stature, fights and digs way more than an IT, Kyrie or Kemba ever did. Plus, because PP comes off the bench (unlike playing allstar minutes), those instances are a lot less frequent than before.

[ozgod]

I doubt it.  Brad doesn't seem like a micro manager.

No, he seems to be more of a delegator than most. Maybe we're not giving Ime enough credit, he did learn from Pop after all.