Brad Steven rotations - I am impressed

[sed522002]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

Of course he's a work in progress, but he's earning the trust of this team and that's what's important. What I see is a coach that's not going to stay stagnant. He's going to continue to try different things and that's what's expected of him. Some things will work, some won't (just like the Doc era). Danny didn't give him that long contract for nothing.

Sidenote: Stevens said that Vitor approached him about coming off the saying that's where he's most comfortable.

[Clench123]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

There's always that one person... 

He's a young coach in the NBA who has a team full of guys playing together for the first time around and has had a significant success with them already.  And one impressive one tonight over the reigning champion. Can you take joy in that or would you continue to Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. on him and nitpick?

[BudweiserCeltic]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

I see things completely different from you, and none of the things in particular you're emphasizing have any weight for me against Stevens, in fact are things I actually like about him.

I don't see the Faverani thing as an overreaction at all. From the get go Stevens has said that match-ups more than anything would determine who plays and who doesn't, but you can't ignore either that we have a logjam at the PF/C positions and all who have gotten minutes have shown they are worthy of getting playing time.

So sorry, I find your criteria of what makes a good coach on this case wanting.

[Celtics18]

Brad Stevens was a horrible coach for the first four games.  He's been a genius in the last three.

[pokeKingCurtis]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

There's always that one person... 

He's a young coach in the NBA who has a team full of guys playing together for the first time around and has had a significant success with them already.  And one impressive one tonight over the reigning champion. Can you take joy in that or would you continue to **** on him and nitpick?

Yeah. Do you expect him to be psychic?

Game time is vastly different from practice. OF COURSE there is a degree of trial and error.

At least Brad Stevens's adjustments are quick and clean. Like a surgeon's.

[saltlover]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

Maybe overreacting.  Maybe trying to win games.  Maybe matching up since Miami doesn't play a traditional center all that much, especially with Haslem sitting out.  I'm sure you know what Stevens was thinking just as well as posters here know what Doc was thinking.

We're on a three game winning streak, and have been playing competitive basketball in every game, even when we haven't won.  Can't you try to enjoy it, just a little?  I liked Doc too, and thought some of the criticism here was relatively baseless (particularly his aversion to playing young players -- he gave Rondo heavy minutes as a second-year player in the championship year, benched Ray for a second-year AB, gave Big Baby rotation minutes in year 2, I could go on), but your anti-Stevens bent is just as baseless.  The man has coached 7 NBA games with a team that no one expected to be very good, and has won 3 of them.  There really isn't enough evidence to make a conclusion one way or the other.  I don't think a conclusion should be made until after at least year 2, but certainly not after game 7.

[kozlodoev]

We're on a three game winning streak, and have been playing competitive basketball in every game, even when we haven't won.  Can't you try to enjoy it, just a little?

Oh, I'm having a blast. I'm just not ready to anoint Brad Stevens quite yet.

[Tr1boy]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

this is a joke right??

We have a three game winning streak right now. So in your expertise, for all the three games he is doing unorthodox things that most nba coaches don't do and we are lucky to win.

If this is your point, then i hope we keep "lucking" out.

WHATEVER it is he is doing, we are winning. Thats the bottom line

But i completely disagree with your analysis. He knows what he is doing for the most part. How else are you going to explain taking Butler , or no real talent butler to the final four twice?? And both games also coming within a few buckets to win it all

He has done his magic then and working it currently

[kozlodoev]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

this is a joke right??

We have a three game winning streak right now. So in your expertise, for all the three games he is doing unorthodox things that most nba coaches don't do and we are lucky to win.

If this is your point, then i hope we keep "lucking" out.

WHATEVER it is he is doing, we are winning. Thats the bottom line

But i completely disagree with your analysis. He knows what he is doing for the most part. How else are you going to explain taking Butler , or no real talent butler to the final four twice?? And both games also coming within a few buckets to win it all

He has done his magic then and working it currently

Oh, so whatever he's doing, he's doing it right. Glad we got this out of the way.

By the way, was he doing it right on the 4-game losing streak, or on the 3-game winning streak? Not sure the groupies can tell the difference.

[kozlodoev]

Sidenote: Stevens said that Vitor approached him about coming off the saying that's where he's most comfortable.

I guess he also asked for two and a half minutes of playing time.

[Tr1boy]

Stevens is a great coach because he thinks the game from a matchup point of view. That's how he got the most out of those Butler teams that no one gave a second thought about until they began making it deep in the ncaa tourneys. He studies match ups and always puts his teams in position to win.  He gonna play who the best match-ups. Period. He figures that out by knowing the personnel he has on hand and his extensive study of the opposing teams players. We have YET to be out of a game this season and we are a team of mostly new pieces that have never played together! Wait until we have more continuity, a little more talent in certain positions and give Stevens a chance to see these other teams up close and in person. Ainge is a genius! Gave this guy a SIX year deal! WIN!!

For a person who supposedly "knows the personnel he has on hand", he's had an inordinate amount of games where he ran 11-men rotation. And has used multiple starting lineups already.

And?

So far he's demonstrated he's mostly learning about personnel by trial and error, and he seems to overreact to a couple of poor games (Faverani went from a 30-minute starter to 2 minutes off the bench in the span of 3 games or so). Likewise, I don't think even Stevens can tell you who's starting, who is finishing, and how much anyone would play. I don't think any of these are markings of a great coach. Stevens reminds as much of a work in progress as he was 2 games ago.

There was stuff that worked out. And of course everyone has quickly forgotten the stuff that has flopped spectacularly (rotations, in particular, have been quite horrible). But fans are fickle and all of this can be erased with a miracle shot by Jeff Green.

this is a joke right??

We have a three game winning streak right now. So in your expertise, for all the three games he is doing unorthodox things that most nba coaches don't do and we are lucky to win.

If this is your point, then i hope we keep "lucking" out.

WHATEVER it is he is doing, we are winning. Thats the bottom line

But i completely disagree with your analysis. He knows what he is doing for the most part. How else are you going to explain taking Butler , or no real talent butler to the final four twice?? And both games also coming within a few buckets to win it all

He has done his magic then and working it currently

Oh, so whatever he's doing, he's doing it right. Glad we got this out of the way.

By the way, was he doing it right on the 4-game losing streak, or on the 3-game winning streak? Not sure the groupies can tell the difference.

your crazy man. Do you know the construction of this team?? Do you know our best player is not even playing??

Do you expect us to be 7-0??

We haven't been blown out yet and have made progress every game. You can't ask for more

[kozlodoev]

Do you expect us to be 7-0??

Not at all. I fully expect people to acknowledge reality.

Like, for example, the reality that we have a young coach who's learning, who is still to find a reliable and functional rotation, and who's made as many bad decisions as he's made good ones.

Sorry to crash the party.

[sed522002]

Sidenote: Stevens said that Vitor approached him about coming off the saying that's where he's most comfortable.

I guess he also asked for two and a half minutes of playing time.

How about you coach the team then. He was playing the people that HE thought needed to be out there. You're sounding really silly on coach that's only been in the NBA for 7 games. No one is anointing him anything, but he's doing a decent job...even when they were losing you could tell that they were learning how to win and eventually they would. He's going to make mistakes...all coaches do. And he's going to do them frequently, but I expect from him to learn from them and become better. I'm not expecting the playoffs/banner 18. But I expect this team to compete and play hard.

[kozlodoev]

Sidenote: Stevens said that Vitor approached him about coming off the saying that's where he's most comfortable.

I guess he also asked for two and a half minutes of playing time.

How about you coach the team then. He was playing the people that HE thought needed to be out there. You're sounding really silly on coach that's only been in the NBA for 7 games. No one is anointing him anything, but he's doing a decent job...even when they were losing you could tell that they were learning how to win and eventually they would.

So let's see, Stevens has been in the league for 7 games... and among the people who gloat "ohmigod-I-cant-believe-we-have-him-for-6-years", I'm the one who sounds silly? Yes, that must be it.

[sed522002]

Sidenote: Stevens said that Vitor approached him about coming off the saying that's where he's most comfortable.

I guess he also asked for two and a half minutes of playing time.

How about you coach the team then. He was playing the people that HE thought needed to be out there. You're sounding really silly on coach that's only been in the NBA for 7 games. No one is anointing him anything, but he's doing a decent job...even when they were losing you could tell that they were learning how to win and eventually they would.

So let's see, Stevens has been in the league for 7 games... and among the people who gloat "ohmigod-I-cant-believe-we-have-him-for-6-years", I'm the one who sounds silly? Yes, that must be it.

Yeah, that's about right. You talk about the lineups like the players are distinguishing themselves to make it clear who starts. You talk like you're at the practices and know what's going on. We're all just couch spectators making guesses. We don't know what this team is going to be or how Brad is going to do.

It's funny that after an unexpected huge win, we're debating the coach..only on CB