The team seems to love Stevens and his approach

[sed522002]

Bass:

“From the beginning, even though we were losing, he stayed poised and he always believed we could be better. So I think that we kind of followed his lead and it translated to Ws for us,” said Brandon Bass. “There’s something special about that guy. He’s a rookie coach but very knowledgeable. He’s picking things up very fast.”

Jordan (after Miami win)

-the coach called point guard Jordan Crawford the following day. He told him the next game would provide a new test. The Celtics had prevailed in fantastic, unlikely fashion, but they needed to respond with another solid effort against Orlando.

“That was a big call because people could have been high off the win and just really excited,” said Crawford, who had 16 points and 10 assists with no turnovers in a resounding 120-105 win against the Magic. “For him to do that and make sure we come in prepared was important. He’s communicating well with me, I’m communicating back. It just makes it easier to know what he wants from me, you know what I’m saying?”

AB

“Us being able to trust each other and our game plan. When our coach draws up a play we pay attention and we execute it, and we’re able to get everything we want,” he said. “We always have confidence in (Stevens). And not only that, throughout the game he always makes us feel comfortable because he always has the same expression on his face.”

“Never,” Bradley replied when asked if he’d played for someone like Stevens before. “Like I said, it just makes us feel comfortable out there. Not to put any other coach down, but when you’re not making a shot or anything your coach might get on you. But Coach Stevens never will. He always has the same look so it makes you feel confident all the time.”

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2013/11/brandon_bass_on_boston_celtics.html

This is good to hear.I loved what Doc did for this team while he was here, but maybe a new voice is something this young team needed. Now I can be a little more happier for Doc's situation instead of wanting his team to lose every game..LOL.

[MBunge]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.  I mean, there's some reason for the amazing change in Courtney Lee.

Mike

[LarBrd33]

I think he's probably a fantastic coach.  If we eventually sputter out and settle in as a 25 win team, I'm not going to blame it on Stevens.  He's here for the long-haul. 

[sed522002]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.  I mean, there's some reason for the amazing change in Courtney Lee.

Mike

If I'm not mistaken it was either a post/pregame interview and Doc was saying he hoped his voice wasn't getting old in locker room..or something along the lines of that.

[sed522002]

I think he's probably a fantastic coach.  If we eventually sputter out and settle in as a 25 win team, I'm not going to blame it on Stevens.  He's here for the long-haul.

Yep, that's exactly how I feel. I'm thinking about the "process" lol.

[LooseCannon]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.

Well, Kevin Garnett famously described the team as "Cuba" under Doc Rivers.

The way people talk here, I'm expecting someone to parody Sheperd Fairey's "Hope" poster with an image of Stevens and a greener color scheme.

[D.o.s.]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.

Well, Kevin Garnett famously described the team as "Cuba" under Doc Rivers.

The way people talk here, I'm expecting someone to parody Sheperd Fairey's "Hope" poster with an image of Stevens and a greener color scheme.

I'll do one better. I require someone to do it.

[clover]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.  I mean, there's some reason for the amazing change in Courtney Lee.

Mike

Stevens is actually using Sully offensively, too. And whatever it is, Bass is rebounding unlike ever before.

[manl_lui]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.  I mean, there's some reason for the amazing change in Courtney Lee.

Mike

Stevens is actually using Sully offensively, too. And whatever it is, Bass is rebounding unlike ever before.

I'm seeing more and more people boxing out...another trend I keep seeing is, while the bigs are boxing out, the guards seems to be getting a lot of rebounds. I'm guessing it's because of the bigs clearing space and just blocking the other team from getting to the ball.

[kozlodoev]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.  I mean, there's some reason for the amazing change in Courtney Lee.

Mike

Stevens is actually using Sully offensively, too. And whatever it is, Bass is rebounding unlike ever before.

Bass is actually setting career lows in rebounding percentage. He's definitely not rebounding any better than he did in the past.

Just shows that people see what they want to see.

[Celtics4ever]

Fundamentals matter, period.

[Atzar]

I think he's probably a fantastic coach.  If we eventually sputter out and settle in as a 25 win team, I'm not going to blame it on Stevens.  He's here for the long-haul.

This is where I'm at too.

Also, from what I'm seeing and hearing, Stevens may be the best thing to ever happen to Jordan Crawford's basketball career.

[DarkAzcura]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.  I mean, there's some reason for the amazing change in Courtney Lee.

Mike

Stevens is actually using Sully offensively, too. And whatever it is, Bass is rebounding unlike ever before.

Bass is actually setting career lows in rebounding percentage. He's definitely not rebounding any better than he did in the past.

Just shows that people see what they want to see.

Not really. He may be wrong about Bass, but he wouldn't be wrong about the team. The team is statistically rebounding better than the last two seasons (based on differential between us and out opponents, which I personally value a lot more than raw ranking based on totals). Much better in fact. Close to '09-'11 rebounding levels (not as good as '08 obviously, though). Obviously it's only been a couple weeks, but it's looking good so far.

[SCeltic34]

Bradley's quote is precisely the reason why I didn't want somebody like Stan Van Gundy to be the next coach.  His sideline demeanor is awful.

I'm not going to judge Stevens on the win/loss record this season.  He's doing a terrific job so far with a mismatched roster.

[aingeforthree]

Doc provided some great leadership while he was here but I suspect he probably got a bit set in his ways and expected players to fit in with the way he did things.  I mean, there's some reason for the amazing change in Courtney Lee.

Mike

Stevens is actually using Sully offensively, too. And whatever it is, Bass is rebounding unlike ever before.

Bass is actually setting career lows in rebounding percentage. He's definitely not rebounding any better than he did in the past.

Just shows that people see what they want to see.

He's gotta be posting a higher defensive percentage than he's ever seen the first 8 games in.  The guy has been fantastic all around.