Boston Globe questions Brad Stevens

[Smokeeye123]

Stevans is doing a phenomenal job we are 0-2 and on pace for a high lottery spot. I'd grade his performance 10/10.

[kozlodoev]

We're two games into the season, with a bunch of new players and mismatched personnel. It's a little early to have a set rotation, isn't it? Stevens needs to figure out what works and what doesn't.

The rotation is fairly established already, and it seems to work. The problem is we're patently unable to run anything in the half-court against a tougher defense, so we're in for a long season.

Yes, I don't think we currently have the personnel to have consistent success in half-court sets. Our lack of perimeter shooters/floor spacing is killing us. Plus, we don't have a true PG to give us some easy looks. Through 2 games we've shot 7 of 29 from 3pt range.

What's killing us is that no-one has any idea what to do. The personnel doesn't matter when you can't run squat.

[DesertDweller]

Interesting potpourri of comments and thoughts.  I keep thinking back in the game when we were cruising along and then everything came to a stand still.  it wasn't anything the bucks did it's what we stopped doing.....playing!!! it was like a different stepped on the floor.  guys were just standing around, all movement stopped.  they weren't running any set plays and there was absolutely no defense.  so what happened???  some analysts said we got tired. tired??? all this youth and it's the second game of the year and we're tired??? if that's the case then we need a new conditioning coach!!!
Stevens has got to instill in these guys the importance of playing for 48 minutes.  that's all it would have taken for us to have our first win of the season.
There was nothing wrong with the players that started and nothing wrong with the rotations. I do agree that Marchon Brooks does not belong and for that matter either does Courtney Lee.  last night's game might have been the best you'll see from Lee all year.
this team has a ton of talent even without Rondo BUT THEY MUST PLAY THE WHOLE GAME!!!

[Sketch5]

I think Stevens has been doing a fine job. You can see it in how the offense moves on the most part and the D is pretty good. I love that they crash the boards, and even more that they do it on the offensive end.

The problem is there is no leader on the floor. No superstar to control the team when things start to go south. Green has never had to do it on his own, he has know go to move like PP did to get open. Im hoping this year if he's stays he works on that. Wallace talks about stepping up, but I have a feeling thats puffing out his chest to get some contending teams interested.

When Rondo gets back things will be a little better, not much, but the offense should have a better mix of fast pace vs half court. I think running the first three quarters the team died in the fourth because of it.

The other thing is like against the Bucks they were playing hero ball. But thats how they play it in the NBA when things get tight and when you don't have that go to guy your going to loose most of the time. Eventually they should learn to move the ball in the 4th like they do in the first 3 quarters.

I was expecting this on the most part, I did love how they played last night for the first 3 quarters. So its just a matter of time before things click for all 4.

Plus its only been 2 games. Stevens just like the rookies need to find the pace of the game still.  If we go 20 in a row, I'd start questioning.

[ainge-ina]

It is way too early to pass judgement on Stevens. Last night was a frustrating loss and it wont be the last for Stevens and this team. The way I saw it both players and coach were to blame.
  I am also in the camp that Brooks and Humphries should get minutes. I personally do not like crawfords game. He dribbles like a middle schooler and often is out of control. Brooks is much smoother but needs minutes to get his confidence up. The Kid was a top rookie and has a lot of potential.
Humphries is tough , hustles his butt off and has a solid BB IQ. Why Stevens is not playing these 2 I suspect is to keep them healthy for a future trade.

[kozlodoev]

The other thing is like against the Bucks they were playing hero ball. But thats how they play it in the NBA when things get tight and when you don't have that go to guy your going to loose most of the time. Eventually they should learn to move the ball in the 4th like they do in the first 3 quarters.

No, that's not "how they play" in the NBA at all. Remember, we used to have a competent coach, who was able to call a TO, draw a play, and actually have the team at least attempt to execute it. Stevens hasn't been able to do neither of those three, and he had ample opportunity in 2 close games.

[BballTim]

Columnist Gary Washburn isn't too happy with Stevens:

 

Without a true point guard, Stevens opted for Wallace to play point forward and initiate the offense, which failed miserably.

Opposing teams realize that Boston is now a prime location to get a victory, especially when the Celtics’ playing rotations are unpredictable

It’s confounding what the Celtics are doing through the first two games. MarShon Brooks has not played but is capable of boosting the bench scoring. Kris Humphries was stellar in his short stint in Toronto and would have given Pachulia some resistance, but did not play Friday

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/01/celtics-came-short-home-opener/sF0HBkRG0LOPOkXdIA4KQO/story.html

We're only two games into the season, but the knifes are already out. According to the Globe, Stevens rotations are in chaos, his team lack chemistry, and his basketball decisions have been dumbfounding. Can Stevens handle this level of scrutiny? He seems like a sweet guy, but this isn't Indy, folks here don't have too much patience for a guy who can't control his team.

  Washburn would have a little more credibility criticizing Stevens if his alternative was a little better than giving minutes to Marshon Brooks with the expectation that he'll carry the offense.   

[hpantazo]

Columnist Gary Washburn isn't too happy with Stevens:

 

Without a true point guard, Stevens opted for Wallace to play point forward and initiate the offense, which failed miserably.

Opposing teams realize that Boston is now a prime location to get a victory, especially when the Celtics’ playing rotations are unpredictable

It’s confounding what the Celtics are doing through the first two games. MarShon Brooks has not played but is capable of boosting the bench scoring. Kris Humphries was stellar in his short stint in Toronto and would have given Pachulia some resistance, but did not play Friday

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/01/celtics-came-short-home-opener/sF0HBkRG0LOPOkXdIA4KQO/story.html

We're only two games into the season, but the knifes are already out. According to the Globe, Stevens rotations are in chaos, his team lack chemistry, and his basketball decisions have been dumbfounding. Can Stevens handle this level of scrutiny? He seems like a sweet guy, but this isn't Indy, folks here don't have too much patience for a guy who can't control his team.

  Washburn would have a little more credibility criticizing Stevens if his alternative was a little better than giving minutes to Marshon Brooks with the expectation that he'll carry the offense.

yes. that, and he also called Faverani a terrible rebounder after the 1st game, and Faverani follows it up with a monster rebounding line in game 2. Washburn is hurting his own cred all by himself so far this year.

[Sketch5]

The other thing is like against the Bucks they were playing hero ball. But thats how they play it in the NBA when things get tight and when you don't have that go to guy your going to loose most of the time. Eventually they should learn to move the ball in the 4th like they do in the first 3 quarters.

No, that's not "how they play" in the NBA at all. Remember, we used to have a competent coach, who was able to call a TO, draw a play, and actually have the team at least attempt to execute it. Stevens hasn't been able to do neither of those three, and he had ample opportunity in 2 close games.

We use to have 3 to 4 players that could execute those plays on the whim because of their experience. They could go one on one, or execute a play.

Stevens doesn't have the personal on the floor right now to do it every time. He's also two games in, its going to take some time.

Also how many time out plays worked when the C's lost 22 straight when Doc was coaching?

Until Stevens has players he knows what he's going to get, or just plan knows the players he has now, its going to be a rough go. So buckle up!

[danglertx]

I might be the only one, but rather than worrying about losing a 22pt lead, I was stunned we built up a 22 pt lead.  I thought we would win a few games but I figured they'd be close throughout.

The best we can hope for in my opinion is to see improvement in the young guys and for the vets to play well enough to have some trade value.

If Humphries doesn't play, that signals to me we are just looking to dump salary at the end of the year and aren't looking at trades because they would probably bring back salary.

[wahz]

I like how we started 0-2 and everybody is losing their minds

I like how we are 0-2, we knew going in we wouldn't be good, it's probably in our best interest to lose, and everyone is losing their minds.

[Shamrocker]

Columnist Gary Washburn isn't too happy with Stevens:

 

Without a true point guard, Stevens opted for Wallace to play point forward and initiate the offense, which failed miserably.

Opposing teams realize that Boston is now a prime location to get a victory, especially when the Celtics’ playing rotations are unpredictable

It’s confounding what the Celtics are doing through the first two games. MarShon Brooks has not played but is capable of boosting the bench scoring. Kris Humphries was stellar in his short stint in Toronto and would have given Pachulia some resistance, but did not play Friday

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/01/celtics-came-short-home-opener/sF0HBkRG0LOPOkXdIA4KQO/story.html

We're only two games into the season, but the knifes are already out. According to the Globe, Stevens rotations are in chaos, his team lack chemistry, and his basketball decisions have been dumbfounding. Can Stevens handle this level of scrutiny? He seems like a sweet guy, but this isn't Indy, folks here don't have too much patience for a guy who can't control his team.

  Washburn would have a little more credibility criticizing Stevens if his alternative was a little better than giving minutes to Marshon Brooks with the expectation that he'll carry the offense.

Any thoughts as to why Washburn would write a "hit piece" two games into the season? I wonder if it's orchestrated.

[saltlover]

Columnist Gary Washburn isn't too happy with Stevens:

 

Without a true point guard, Stevens opted for Wallace to play point forward and initiate the offense, which failed miserably.

Opposing teams realize that Boston is now a prime location to get a victory, especially when the Celtics’ playing rotations are unpredictable

It’s confounding what the Celtics are doing through the first two games. MarShon Brooks has not played but is capable of boosting the bench scoring. Kris Humphries was stellar in his short stint in Toronto and would have given Pachulia some resistance, but did not play Friday

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/01/celtics-came-short-home-opener/sF0HBkRG0LOPOkXdIA4KQO/story.html

We're only two games into the season, but the knifes are already out. According to the Globe, Stevens rotations are in chaos, his team lack chemistry, and his basketball decisions have been dumbfounding. Can Stevens handle this level of scrutiny? He seems like a sweet guy, but this isn't Indy, folks here don't have too much patience for a guy who can't control his team.

  Washburn would have a little more credibility criticizing Stevens if his alternative was a little better than giving minutes to Marshon Brooks with the expectation that he'll carry the offense.

Any thoughts as to why Washburn would write a "hit piece" two games into the season? I wonder if it's orchestrated.

Webpage clicks.  Plain and simple.

[nickagneta]

After reading the article, I can not understand the bashing people are doing regarding Washburn. I am no Washburn fan, but I don't see the article as bashing or taking pot shots at Stevens or anyone else.

Three separate players admitted the team went selfish and stopped playing a team concept. Washburn highlights this. Stevens has certain things in the pro game he needs to adjust to. Washburn highlighted this.

Stevens has already made some mistakes. He has also been dealt a pretty poor hand with the roster this year. He's going to make more mistakes and, I am sorry, but it is the job of reporters to point these things out. Reporters are not on the Celtics' PR payroll. They get paid to get hits on websites, get people to watch them on television and sell newspapers. With bad teams that means concentrating on the bad.

Get used to articles like this this season. Fluff pieces on Stevens successes, Olynyk's developments, Rondo's increased leadership role, Bradley's excellent defense, Sullinger's bounce back year are going to be few and far between.

Expect articles dissecting Stevens coaching and mistakes, Olynyk's problems adjusting to the pro game, Rondo not being as big a star as the C's need, Sullinger's weight problem, and trade rumors galore. That's what the media will be reporting on the Celtics this year because the media certainly isn't going to be writing about all the great wins this team is going to be putting up.

Did people forget what reporting is like for the Celtics during bad seasons or were you too young to remember? Either way, this is a fairly tame article compared to the ones we will be reading about later in the season during 30 point losses, 10+ game losing streaks, infighting between players and all the other fun stuff that comes with being a bad team.

[Clench123]

Doc or Poppovich won't be able to do jack with this group.  Leave Stevens alone.  This is the master plan of none other than Danny and it's working perfect.