Why haven't we addressed coaching?

[Roy H.]

I don't understand how anybody in management has watched our team in the playoffs and said "Our biggest problem?  Jaylen Brown".  For whatever JB's faults, the reason we have lost to an underdog in 3 out of 4 seasons has little to do with JB, or his salary slot.

The biggest reasons we lost against the 76ers were 1) being unprepared, 2) not making adjustments either in-game or between games.  So, we saw the same offensive and defensive schemes exploited over and over again.   Brad addressed Queta's inability to stay on the floor by adding Robinson, but he's done little to answer why so many players showed a steep regression in the postseason.

The team clearly needs a fresh set of eyes on the bench.  Since the title team Charles Lee has left.  JVG has left.  The team's coaching is poorer than it was.

Joe isn't getting replaced, but why not supplement the bench?  It doesn't impact the salary cap, so why not invest in improving the team where we can?

[Silas]

I don't understand how anybody in management has watched our team in the playoffs and said "Our biggest problem?  Jaylen Brown".  For whatever JB's faults, the reason we have lost to an underdog in 3 out of 4 seasons has little to do with JB, or his salary slot.

The biggest reasons we lost against the 76ers were 1) being unprepared, 2) not making adjustments either in-game or between games.  So, we saw the same offensive and defensive schemes exploited over and over again.   Brad addressed Queta's inability to stay on the floor by adding Robinson, but he's done little to answer why so many players showed a steep regression in the postseason.

The team clearly needs a fresh set of eyes on the bench.  Since the title team Charles Lee has left.  JVG has left.  The team's coaching is poorer than it was.

Joe isn't getting replaced, but why not supplement the bench?  It doesn't impact the salary cap, so why not invest in improving the team where we can?

I agree that Joe and his coaching staff made mistakes, however the reason the Cs lost the series to Philly was they had a terrible shooting series.  regular season FG% - 46.7%   3pt% - 36.7%
 
1st loss....FG%-39% (-7.7)     3pt%-26%  (-10.7)
2nd loss....FG%-40% (-6.7)    3pt%-28%  (-8.7)
3rd loss.... FG%- 44% (-2.7)   3pt%-33%  (-3.7)
4th loss.....FG%- 40% (-6.7)   3pt%-27%  (-9.7)

You need to make baskets to win.

[Roy H.]

I don't understand how anybody in management has watched our team in the playoffs and said "Our biggest problem?  Jaylen Brown".  For whatever JB's faults, the reason we have lost to an underdog in 3 out of 4 seasons has little to do with JB, or his salary slot.

The biggest reasons we lost against the 76ers were 1) being unprepared, 2) not making adjustments either in-game or between games.  So, we saw the same offensive and defensive schemes exploited over and over again.   Brad addressed Queta's inability to stay on the floor by adding Robinson, but he's done little to answer why so many players showed a steep regression in the postseason.

The team clearly needs a fresh set of eyes on the bench.  Since the title team Charles Lee has left.  JVG has left.  The team's coaching is poorer than it was.

Joe isn't getting replaced, but why not supplement the bench?  It doesn't impact the salary cap, so why not invest in improving the team where we can?

I agree that Joe and his coaching staff made mistakes, however the reason the Cs lost the series to Philly was they had a terrible shooting series.  regular season FG% - 46.7%   3pt% - 36.7%
 
1st loss....FG%-39% (-7.7)     3pt%-26%  (-10.7)
2nd loss....FG%-40% (-6.7)    3pt%-28%  (-8.7)
3rd loss.... FG%- 44% (-2.7)   3pt%-33%  (-3.7)
4th loss.....FG%- 40% (-6.7)   3pt%-27%  (-9.7)

You need to make baskets to win.

It's all connected, though.  Our offense suffered in part because the coaching staff couldn't get good looks.  Also, key players were in foul trouble because our defensive schemes weren't working.

[SparzWizard]

Maybe settle less on 3s and attack the rim more.

Oh and don't wait until Game 7 to change your starting lineup. Man were the 76ers licking their chops against Baylor, Luka, and Ron Harper Jr.

[Jiri Welsch]

To answer your question, Roy, I really am unsure. I think they should be adding new blood to the coaching staff most seasons. Especially after these last two.

I disagree with the stand pat mindset Brad has here.

[Goldstar88]

Mitch Johnson is an average at best coach and the Spurs were in the Finals. The coaching has very little to do with it. Sam Cassell is still part of the staff, they are fine.

[Jiri Welsch]

Mitch Johnson is an average at best coach and the Spurs were in the Finals. The coaching has very little to do with it. Sam Cassell is still part of the staff, they are fine.

The Spurs just hired Billy Donovan as a lead assistant, so they probably don?t agree entirely with that assessment.

[Goldstar88]

Mitch Johnson is an average at best coach and the Spurs were in the Finals. The coaching has very little to do with it. Sam Cassell is still part of the staff, they are fine.

The Spurs just hired Billy Donovan as a lead assistant, so they probably don?t agree entirely with that assessment.

If Billy Donovan was lead assistant, do you think the Spurs beat the Knicks?

[tenn_smoothie]

I don't understand how anybody in management has watched our team in the playoffs and said "Our biggest problem?  Jaylen Brown".  For whatever JB's faults, the reason we have lost to an underdog in 3 out of 4 seasons has little to do with JB, or his salary slot.

The biggest reasons we lost against the 76ers were 1) being unprepared, 2) not making adjustments either in-game or between games.  So, we saw the same offensive and defensive schemes exploited over and over again.   Brad addressed Queta's inability to stay on the floor by adding Robinson, but he's done little to answer why so many players showed a steep regression in the postseason.

The team clearly needs a fresh set of eyes on the bench.  Since the title team Charles Lee has left.  JVG has left.  The team's coaching is poorer than it was.

Joe isn't getting replaced, but why not supplement the bench?  It doesn't impact the salary cap, so why not invest in improving the team where we can?

I agree that Joe and his coaching staff made mistakes, however the reason the Cs lost the series to Philly was they had a terrible shooting series.  regular season FG% - 46.7%   3pt% - 36.7%
 
1st loss....FG%-39% (-7.7)     3pt%-26%  (-10.7)
2nd loss....FG%-40% (-6.7)    3pt%-28%  (-8.7)
3rd loss.... FG%- 44% (-2.7)   3pt%-33%  (-3.7)
4th loss.....FG%- 40% (-6.7)   3pt%-27%  (-9.7)

You need to make baskets to win.

You make baskets by creating quality shots, which does not include continuously setting league records for 3-point attempts each season.

All you have to do is look at Games 1 & 2 at home vs the Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs, when the Celtics had second-half leads of 20+ points in both games and proceeded to blow those leads by jacking up multiple missed 3's and continuing to do so with the lead declining with no change made whatsoever in the offensive strategy. I've never seen anything that bad in all my years of playing, coaching and watching basketball at all levels. Tatum was not injured in either of those games.
Losing the 3-1 series lead this year to the Sixers just added insult to injury.
Stating that we lost because we had a terrible shooting series is kind of the point, don't you think ? Stop taking low percentage shots !!!!

Mazzulla is THE problem and until he is gone, we won't win another title.
For the life of me, I don't understand how Brad doesn't see this.
If Brad somehow thinks Mazzulla is a good coach, then he is the problem as well.

Please don't trot out the tired old comment that Joe won a title. Joe's team won a title in spite of him. They had an easy draw in the playoffs that was further facilitated by opponents sustaining injuries to their best players. We also had a high-quality post option in Porzingis, which almost forced the team to play more inside-out offense.

[boscel33]

I thought this was the year that Joe was let go, due to his inability to pivot when it's obvious the C's are having a dreadful night shooting.  Statistics show, a two point basket is better than no basket!  But, then he won freaking coach of the year!  Bleh!

OK, who am I replacing him with? 

My first choice would be Tom Thibodeau. I always thought he'd be a great coach for us and is a champion as a Celtic assistant coach.  Second, already on staff, Sam Cassell.  From there, I'd like to see who else is out there.

[Roy H.]

Billy Donovan joined the Spurs, Frank Vogel joined the Warriors.  It just seems like an obvious way to potentially improve.

[Celtics4ever]

My first choice would be Tom Thibodeau.

This would be a great guy to add to the staff.  He built the team and attitude that Mike Brown won with.

I am thinking Brad feels Joe Mazulla won a title, something he could not, and he does not want him to feel threatened by adding to his staff.   I agree it could help and we have had some recent talent drain there like Charles Lee.

[Goldstar88]

Celtics already have a lead assistant in Sam Casell. Who would people like to see as the Celtics add as a non-lead assistant?

[Jiri Welsch]

Celtics already have a lead assistant in Sam Casell. Who would people like to see as the Celtics add as a non-lead assistant?

A former head coach. Not to keep banging the Spurs drum, but another example is that Brett Brown is an assistant for the Spurs (in addition to Billy Donovan).

I think Roy pointed to SVG during the 2024 as a consultant, which I think did a lot of good for the squad.

[Kuberski33]

Billy Donovan joined the Spurs, Frank Vogel joined the Warriors.  It just seems like an obvious way to potentially improve.

Donovan to the Spurs sounds like them adding Johnson's replacement to the staff so he can start prepping for when he takes over.