Have the players tuned out Stevens?

[mctyson]

It's like there is a disconnect somewhere. Is he still able to motivate these guys or do they still believe in him? I'm not saying dump Steven's but so.ething isn't right with how they're responding. Lackadaisical, cavalier and not playing hard or smart.

I'm out of answers but I have plenty of questions.

No but I think the addition of Hayward has totally screwed with Brown and Rozier, and Tatum somewhat, and Stevens definitely has something to do with that. 

[droopdog7]

This offense is designed to only shoot 3s. I wish Steven's would say let's get our first 10 points either driving, in the paint or at the FT line...make it a priority.

Threes are a big part of the offense.  Fans need to deal with that.  The worst thing they could do is force shots to the rim, and makes things more difficult.  The biggest issue is that they’re missing a whole bunch of makeable threes.

[RJ87]

Finally someone else sees what's happening.

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/1065439572564180997?s=19

I bet if Kyrie sat for 10 games you'd see an entirely different team.

Like when we played Utah and Ingles went supernova on us?

[csfansince60s]

My feeling is that Gordon Hayward coming back and being so far away from the player that he was when the Celtics signed him has in some fashion broken the teams spirit.  I'm not entirely sure how or why that is the case but that's my working theory for what's going on at the moment.

I'm not saying they are permanently broken, but something feels very off in a way that can't be explained with standard basketball terms.

I agree that it’s Hayward too.

He played pretty well tonite,  so hopefully he’s getting there.

I also can’t help but think that some of the players feel that Stevens favors Hayward, force-feeding him minutes when he doesn’t deserve them. This can’t be good for the morale of the players whose minutes have been impacted due to Hayward’s return.

Just read mctysons post...Tp to you and Pho.

[gouki88]

Finally someone else sees what's happening.

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/1065439572564180997?s=19

I bet if Kyrie sat for 10 games you'd see an entirely different team.

Lol. Hilarious. We definitely would be different, we'd go 0-10!

[jambr380]

Finally someone else sees what's happening.

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/1065439572564180997?s=19

I bet if Kyrie sat for 10 games you'd see an entirely different team.

Like when we played Utah and Ingles went supernova on us?

Love the Billy Hoyle reference. I watched that movie more times than I can remember in the early to mid-90s.

But, yeah, something's not quite working and the only thing that makes any sense is Hayward. There haven't been any other changes from last year except him. Hopefully the integration process happens soon because this bloodbath is hard to watch from a supposed championship contender.

* Edit: Sweet, I just became Don Nelson with this post! 

[RJ87]

Finally someone else sees what's happening.

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/1065439572564180997?s=19

I bet if Kyrie sat for 10 games you'd see an entirely different team.

Lol. Hilarious. We definitely would be different, we'd go 0-10!

Trying to blame Kyrie for what is going on with this team right now doesn't make basketball sense. That's purely a poster who just doesn't like the player.

[KGBirdBias]

Kyries offense doesn't produce wins. Trey Burke went for 29...Trey Burke!! Hardaway had 21. Our guard play is atrocious. 3pt shooting horrendous.

How can other teams guards perform great and they win but Kyrie puts up great numbers and continually lose?

This is just not an intelligent take. Tatum and Brown go entire games without recording a single assist between the two of. Al has completely regressed on the offensive end. We all know what's going on with Hayward. Kyrie has no consistent help right now but he's putting in effort on ends of the floor the full game. I'm sure if he could clone himself and put out a lineup of Kyrie's, we'd be winning.

Cmon man are you watching the games? Kyrie gets you with the Splash plays but if our backcourt is getting torched. I'm not blaming it all on Kyrie what I'm saying is his offense doesnt mean jack if he's our leader and were losing games. We might as well be the Knicks with Melo.

[Larry for 3]

My feeling is that Gordon Hayward coming back and being so far away from the player that he was when the Celtics signed him has in some fashion broken the teams spirit.  I'm not entirely sure how or why that is the case but that's my working theory for what's going on at the moment.

I'm not saying they are permanently broken, but something feels very off in a way that can't be explained with standard basketball terms.

I agree that it’s Hayward too.

He played pretty well tonite,  so hopefully he’s getting there.

I also can’t help but think that some of the players feel that Stevens favors Hayward, force-feeding him minutes when he doesn’t deserve them. This can’t be good for the morale of the players whose minutes have been impacted due to Hayward’s return.

Just read mctysons post...Tp to you and Pho.

But that’s not an excuse. This is the NBA, guys get max deals, if others are jealous that’s their problem and then they need to go. Danny is there everyday , he can and will see this. If it’s Brown and Tatum then tough , they re on rookie deals. They had 1 good year, that’s means nothing in the NBA. Demand a trade then or start playing hard or get benched. Just deal with it. This is ridiculous .

[RJ87]

Kyries offense doesn't produce wins. Trey Burke went for 29...Trey Burke!! Hardaway had 21. Our guard play is atrocious. 3pt shooting horrendous.

How can other teams guards perform great and they win but Kyrie puts up great numbers and continually lose?

This is just not an intelligent take. Tatum and Brown go entire games without recording a single assist between the two of. Al has completely regressed on the offensive end. We all know what's going on with Hayward. Kyrie has no consistent help right now but he's putting in effort on ends of the floor the full game. I'm sure if he could clone himself and put out a lineup of Kyrie's, we'd be winning.

Cmon man are you watching the games? Kyrie gets you with the Splash plays but if our backcourt is getting torched. I'm not blaming it all on Kyrie what I'm saying is his offense doesnt mean jack if he's our leader and were losing games. We might as well be the Knicks with Melo.

Are you watching the games? Because Kemba went to town on Marcus Smart in that last game. You're trying to use a strawman argument by blaming Kyrie's defense even though he's often not the primary defender on these guys.

[tenn_smoothie]

Yep. You don't go this long like this without there being some type of issue between the players/coaches. Just not responding to him. As good as he is at maximizing talent, he just doesn't' seem to have the ability to manage an actual high level of talent. Get someone who can.

This is something to consider, unfortunately.

Stevens career and rep has been made coaching up slightly lesser talent. At Butler, he takes a mid-major to the title game two straight seasons. Last season with the injuries was almost a perfect scenario for him. Hayward goes down opening night and everyone figures the season is a wash. Irving goes out late in the season and we go into the playoffs undermanned, but hungry with improving young talent. Perfect setup for Stevens to work his magic.

This is the first year he has ever had dominating, superior talent to work with.
He looks as lost as the players at this point.

[KGBirdBias]

1/13 from 3 and 10/33 for the game. I will say it again...Stevens needs to tell these clowns the first 10 points of every game needs to be a drive, a paint point or a FT. If Brown, Tatum and Rozier have a problem with Hayward, that's weak.

[jpotter33]

This offense is designed to only shoot 3s. I wish Steven's would say let's get our first 10 points either driving, in the paint or at the FT line...make it a priority.

Threes are a big part of the offense.  Fans need to deal with that.  The worst thing they could do is force shots to the rim, and makes things more difficult.  The biggest issue is that they’re missing a whole bunch of makeable threes.

It's going to be game 82, with us missing the playoffs on a loss to end the year, and droopdog is still going to be saying - "We're just missing shots. Give us time!" 

[KGBirdBias]

Finally someone else sees what's happening.

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/1065439572564180997?s=19

I bet if Kyrie sat for 10 games you'd see an entirely different team.

Lol. Hilarious. We definitely would be different, we'd go 0-10!

Trying to blame Kyrie for what is going on with this team right now doesn't make basketball sense. That's purely a poster who just doesn't like the player.

No I like Kyrie but you'll are caught up in him getting buckets. The ball doesn't move as well when Kyrie is in the game.

[jpotter33]

Yep. You don't go this long like this without there being some type of issue between the players/coaches. Just not responding to him. As good as he is at maximizing talent, he just doesn't' seem to have the ability to manage an actual high level of talent. Get someone who can.

This is something to consider, unfortunately.

Stevens career and rep has been made coaching up slightly lesser talent. At Butler, he takes a mid-major to the title game two straight seasons. Last season with the injuries was almost a perfect scenario for him. Hayward goes down opening night and everyone figures the season is a wash. Irving goes out late in the season and we go into the playoffs undermanned, but hungry with improving young talent. Perfect setup for Stevens to work his magic.

This is the first year he has ever had dominating, superior talent to work with.
He looks as lost as the players at this point.

TP. I really think this is what it is at this point, and I'm not sure why more people aren't catching on. Brad looks clueless out there trying to motivate his guys.

Managing this level and amount of talent is a COMPLETELY different coaching challenge than what Brad is used to. Brad just might not be that type of coach.