Boston Globe questions Brad Stevens

[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.

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!

This is all fine and dandy, but it doesn't excuse not having any at least decent set plays. You still have the guy you expect to carry the bulk of your scoring load (Green), and another guy that's a veteran with 10+ years of experience who figures to be a major piece in the rotation (Wallace), and you can't set up something for them to run? Is that the way top coaching looks in the NCAA? Glad I'm not wasting time watching that lower tier ball.

[SHAQATTACK]

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.

This is very close to the truth.  This group sucks , no stars and everybody knows it. Unlike Mike Brown and LA ,  Stevens will be given at least two years ,an a couple drafts so he can get his act together and DA can field a worthy team.  It possible KO  ,Sully and Fav may be all that is left of this present team in a year or two .    .... 2-3 years something positive as to happen , or DA may be out the door right  behind Stevens.  LoL 

Settle in for a  long 2-3 years  maybe more ......unless your Lakers , rebuilding is long process in this era of Stern parity.

[Fan from VT]

THese players are terrible and this is a strip it clean and restock the cupboards type of season.

If we overrate these players and then get upset because crappy players have a crappy record but then blame it on the coach and get him fired, then we deserve to lose a good coach.

[Kuberski33]

Get used to articles like this this season.

Get used to games where they build up first half leads only to squander them in the 2nd half.  Think of all the big shots Pierce and KG hit over the years that bailed this team out.  That's gone.  Lousy ball handlers and passers among your guards and small forwards, no reliable go to scorer.  This is a terrible NBA team.  I feel for Stevens but he knew what he was signing up for.   Anyone care to predict when the first 'Stevens Has Lost the Team' column gets written?

[footey]

some of those are legit criticisms.  He's a big boy, he can take it.

[D.o.s.]

made a similar post but D.o.s ran a filibuster and the thread was locked, I am still puzzled, but now that the Globe as picked up on the same issue

I believe that Brad is facing his very first test of his young NBA career.

Can he stop the team from going into a funk induced losing streak? Can he check Wallace and his outbursts to the press?

Big test for the untested young coach.

I have more respect for your posts than most of what I read from Gary Washburn, though.

 

I don't think it helps that baseball season ended with the Red Sox winning the world series, the Bruins poised to at least contend, and the Patriots being 6-2 even with the demise of Tom Brady and his receiving corps(e).

[DesertDweller]

Wow, you guys are a little hard on the beaver, ain't ya!!! granted, there are a few losers on this team...YAWNING BROOKS, HIT OR MISS LEE, HIP HOP CRAWFORD and OLD MAN BOGENS but once the fat is trimmed this team has some really good players that when grouped properly on the floor are going to surprise a lot of people.
You guys are really hating on these players, coach Stevens and Danny Ainge.

What a bunch of cry babys!!!

[PhoSita]

I don't know what Wallace's issue with Stevens is, but this article makes it seem like there's some kind of personal animosity there.  I can't explain the harshness of the criticism any other way. 

Stevens has seemed fine to me so far.  Impossible to judge a guy, especially an analytics / process-oriented guy, after only 2 games.

[kozlodoev]

Get used to articles like this this season.

Yep, I fully expect to see tons of this type of pink hat journalism from guys who have no idea about the Celtics or the NBA.

I did, however, expect the prime offender to be WEEI, who doesn't have a single competent Celtics beat guy (or host, for that matter).

[LooseCannon]

I don't know what Wallace's issue with Stevens is, but this article makes it seem like there's some kind of personal animosity there.  I can't explain the harshness of the criticism any other way. 

Maybe Wallace is an old-school guy who thinks that these new-fangled statistics are stupid and that relying on them will cost him playing time.

[Onslaught]

some of those are legit criticisms.  He's a big boy, he can take it.

I'm sure he knew this was coming before he took the job. And in three years if things are going well he'll be showered with praise from the same people bashing him now just like Doc.
But if the NBA thing falls short he can go back and get just about any job he wants back in the college level. It's a win-win for him.

[PhoSita]

Get used to articles like this this season.

Yep, I fully expect to see tons of this type of pink hat journalism from guys who have no idea about the Celtics or the NBA.

I did, however, expect the prime offender to be WEEI, who doesn't have a single competent Celtics beat guy (or host, for that matter).

I'm sure the guys at the Sportshub will gladly pile on the Celtics, too.

Can't wait for the Felger "Rondo is taking his time coming back from injury" rant.

[D.o.s.]

Get used to articles like this this season.

Yep, I fully expect to see tons of this type of pink hat journalism from guys who have no idea about the Celtics or the NBA.

I did, however, expect the prime offender to be WEEI, who doesn't have a single competent Celtics beat guy (or host, for that matter).

I'm sure the guys at the Sportshub will gladly pile on the Celtics, too.

Can't wait for the Felger "Rondo is taking his time coming back from injury" rant.

Every time I listen to WEEI I get sad... then I remember that I can go on the internet for my sports news and analysis.

[feckless]

When was the last time a young college coach with no NBA experience was successful in the NBA?

When was the last time a young college coach with no NBA experience was successful in the NBA?

Let's see there was ? and also ?.

Stevens was hired to contribute to the tank, and paid handsomely for the opportunity.

[Vermont Green]

I don't know what Wallace's issue with Stevens is, but this article makes it seem like there's some kind of personal animosity there.  I can't explain the harshness of the criticism any other way. 

Maybe Wallace is an old-school guy who thinks that these new-fangled statistics are stupid and that relying on them will cost him playing time.

Wallace doesn't have an issue, he has issues (plural).  He is a veteran guy who has a history of complaining.  He got traded from a contender to likely one of the worst teams in the league.  Then the veteran (or actually just before) coach gets "traded" from the new team and the newly hired coach is an unproven baby-faced college coach.  I don't think Wallace is in a good state of mind right now.  He wants out I suspect.  That is to some degree understandable but while he is here, he needs to suck it up.

As for Stevens, it is not possible to tell after 2 games whether he has the makings of a NBA coach.  I am not optimistic or pessimistic.  We will all just have to wait and see.