This may have already been pointed out but Stevens is seeming more and more like a pushover. The fact that Rondo can come out and say this like it's no big deal, makes me wonder if Stevens ever demands anything from his players.
I know we don't have the best defenders but there is a consistent lack of effort on the defensive end. I don't think this is a Rondo thing as much as it is the coach not getting his players to go to battle for him.
We basically have the ultimate Mr nice guy coaching the Celtics. Does anyone else think this is not going to work with Stevens?
I think it's still early to make any pronouncements about Brad Stevens, but it *is* another example of a veteran player who doesn't seem to have a lot of respect for his coach. We saw this with Gerald Wallace and Courtney Lee (and someone else... drawing a blank) last season. Really odd that Rondo singled out Doc Rivers as being an exceptional coach and never threw Stevens a bone.
My personal, unsubstantiated opinion is that Stevens has pretty much walked on eggshells around Rondo. But, Stevens needs to assert himself somehow; he doesn't need to be a Scott Skiles-type
Edited. Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline., but he's got to show he can lead the veterans as well as the kids. Could well be that Stevens proves to be an excellent coach... when he's on his second or third job and has a little bit more experience. Or as least some Van Gundy-esque bags under his eyes.