Boston Globe questions Brad Stevens

[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.

[Boris Badenov]

Yup, two games seems about long enough before we pass judgment on the rookie coach who's trying to manage a bunch of guys who've never played together.

Washburn should be preaching patience, not throwing Stevens under the bus.

Ridiculous.

[timobusa]

[BleedGreen1989]

I don't see the reason to question Steven's rotations as unpredictable... I thought it was inline with what I expected him to do.

Yes, you can point to Humphries not playing, so what? He played 4 bigs... that's more than enough, and that's not counting Wallace and Green who can play PF too. And, Sully came back who was not playing in the previous game.

As for Brooks... what's the point of bringing him up? From the bench we have Lee & Crawford coming in, and they actually produced well yesterday. So that's a non-factor.

So, what is the Globe actually complaining about rotations wise? Particularly when you consider the logjam Stevens has been handed in certain positions, particularly at SG & PF.

Sorry, but that's not a point of attack against Stevens.

TP.

You just saved me a lot of typing by saying everything I wanted to...

[sed522002]

I was listening to an interview and one of the reporters said that he thinks Marshon has fallen out of Brad's favor. I don't know his work ethic or how he is in practice, but there has to be a reason why he's not playing.

[kozlodoev]

I was listening to an interview and one of the reporters said that he thinks Marshon has fallen out of Brad's favor. I don't know his work ethic or how he is in practice, but there has to be a reason why he's not playing.

Yes, there is. He's not very good.

[sed522002]

I was listening to an interview and one of the reporters said that he thinks Marshon has fallen out of Brad's favor. I don't know his work ethic or how he is in practice, but there has to be a reason why he's not playing.

Yes, there is. He's not very good.

I think Brad sees that in practice

[BleedGreen1989]

I was listening to an interview and one of the reporters said that he thinks Marshon has fallen out of Brad's favor. I don't know his work ethic or how he is in practice, but there has to be a reason why he's not playing.

Yes, there is. He's not very good.

Agreed.

Crawford provides the same "microwave scoring" as Brooks but is a much better playmaker. No reason he really should be playing.

[Interceptor]

Yes, there is. He's not very good.

Homeless man's Monta Ellis, in my opinion. I held out hope since he said all the right things after the trade, but he hasn't delivered.

[Shamrocker]

I was listening to an interview and one of the reporters said that he thinks Marshon has fallen out of Brad's favor. I don't know his work ethic or how he is in practice, but there has to be a reason why he's not playing.

Yes, there is. He's not very good.

I think Brad sees that in practice

I don't know. It sounds like Stevens has seen some things he likes in practice. 

"I told MarShon [Thursday] ... 'Don’t get down and don’t measure your progress or your confidence based on how much you play right now.' Because his opportunity is right around the corner," said Stevens. "I think he’ll do well when that opportunity comes. He’s been much better the last two weeks of practice, and you’ve seen it in spurts, where he can really score the basketball. And I think there’s things that he can really work on.

"But I told him, if I had to give my evaluation of MarShon, I’d say, ‘Really improving, and easy to coach.’ I think if those two things stay the same, he’s going to be in good shape."

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4707847/opportunity-will-come-for-brooks

[cman88]

I think stevens is just trying different lineups to see what works...im sure he/ainge know they arent winning anything this year.

so see what differeng guys can do and maybe boost their trade value

[hpantazo]

Washburn also wrote after game 1 that Faverani is a terrible rebounder, and look what Vitor did in game 2. I wouldn't worry about it, Washburn lost his inside contacts imo when the vets and Doc got shipped out, he doesn't know what he's talking about right now, and Stevens coaching strategies are very different from most NBA coaches anyway.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Washburn also wrote after game 1 that Faverani is a terrible rebounder, and look what Vitor did in game 2. I wouldn't worry about it, Washburn lost his inside contacts imo when the vets and Doc got shipped out, he doesn't know what he's talking about right now, and Stevens coaching strategies are very different from most NBA coaches anyway.

I've heard Washburn has quietly developed a drinking problem over the past several months. For the first time in his long career, he claims he is now "working from home" quite often. There is speculation by those in the know that he isn't even actually watching any of the games, nor wearing his left shoe.

[aingeforthree]

I think stevens is just trying different lineups to see what works...im sure he/ainge know they arent winning anything this year.

so see what differeng guys can do and maybe boost their trade value

I think this is exactly right.  It's still going to be a work in progress.  Especially since Rondo is still out.  The rotations are far from set & they're playing the cards right.  They're not in any rush.

Coach Stevens isn't perfect yet by any stretch.  I don't think Ainge expects him to be this year.  This is all a work in progress & will take time & patience.

[Eddie20]

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.