The Brad Stevens thread - More Clueless Than Alicia Silverstone

lexrageorge

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That was in a response to an article someone posted that was lauding Stevens for keeping team playing well and in that article it was said "Irving is ranked 29th in DWS".

I'm being pedantic now, but no one said that means he's playing good defense. I think this board understands DWS enough to know that.

Very early in season there were definitely some posts about how his defense improved. Haven't seen that as much lately.

Here's the $100,000 question--is he playing better defense than IT4 did last year?
Not sure why that's a question. Kyrie's defense on his bad days this season is still light years better than IT4.
 

DJnVa

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Because Kyrie's DWS increase doesn't say that.
Fair enough, that was my throw-away line at the end.

As I admitted, I was being pedantic I responded to a poster that quoted an article and said it said Irving was playing good defense, and it didn't say that.
 

TripleOT

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What an amazing win in Utah by the seriously undermanned Celtics.

The Jazz were a sizzling 23-4, with their full roster, and Boston still guts out a win, without Kyrie, Horford, Morris, Smart, and Theis, on a night where Rozier was invisible until late in the game. It's so much fun seeing Brown and Tatum as featured players.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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that play he drew up to steal this one from utah just sealed it. stevens is ainge’s best asset.
That was the icing. The fact that they won with the personnel available and, more impressively, Stevens' switch to a zone defense in the third quarter to stifle the Jazz rally were the masterstrokes.

Imagine what this guy would do with a full compliment of the team's best players healthy...
 

Sam Ray Not

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Irving-Smart-Hayward-Morris-Horford
vs.
Curry-Thompson-Durant-Casspi-Green

Would be quite the matchup of disabled lists.

Of course, the red hot Jazz stomped the remnants of the Warriors in GS a couple days ago, while the Cs' remnants just pulled out a win in Utah, somehow. All hail the warlock Brad Stevens. Time to lock the thread, or are there more variations on the theme of "hell yes"?

Edit: how the fuck are all 10 of those guys injured at the exact same time, while freaking 34 year old LeBron has played in all 74 of his team's games, 37 minutes a game, without anyone ever falling into his knee, or whacking his thumb and fracturing it, or stepping under his foot, or bruising his ribs, or ringing his bell, etc.? Someone needs to seriously look into that freak's DNA when he's retired.
 
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InstaFace

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He's still got a lot to prove in the playoffs to unseat Pop, who in particular has mastered the gray art of holding healthy players out during the regular season to keep the batteries full. But if you were starting a team now, choosing a coach for the long haul, there's obviously no way you'd pick the 69yo Popovich over the 41yo Stevens.
 

joe dokes

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I think this in the Glob, after last nights game, sums up Stevens pretty well:

Boston once again trotted out a nine-man rotation that included four rookies, one castoff who played in Europe last season, and one player whose contract was bought out by another team last month. And once again, it didn’t matter, as the Celtics surged to their fifth win in a row.
“These guys all have strengths, and they have to soar with them,” coach Brad Stevens said, “and we believe in them.”
Its the fact that Stevens doesn't, for example, emphasize Monroe's man-to-man defense over his shooting, or Smart's shooting over his defense that contributes so much to them doing the things that they are really good at. Rozier couldn't put the ball in the ocean for 3 quarters in Utah. And Semi and Larkin were both unflustered enough to make passes when the designed play broke down. When they need them to do what they do, they aren't distracted by what they dont do well.
To me, that's a reflection of a coach who is not only good, but also very secure. ("I know Monroe is looking foolish on defense a few times, but we aren't going to win without some of his points down the stretch.")

You really see it when he's coaching a bunch of limited players. They're all in the NBA, so they're good at something, even if not a lot of things. Or when he has players with a glaring limitation, like IT last year.
 

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FWIW, I think that we are putting too much emphasis on the peer pressure and coaching inspiration part of the equation. Yes, it exists. Brad makes you want to play defense more, and your teammates doing so will help keep you motivated also. You know that your effort means something.

But I think that a bigger part is the system and the coaching within the system. Brad and the other coaches break down the assignments. What is your role on a high pick? If the ball gets inside and the big collapses the lane from the strong side, what's your job as a weak or strong side perimeter player? From what I have seen, every guy on the floor knows his job in every situation. Sometimes guys forget or don't execute well, but they always seem to know whose fault it was. It's not just Smart and Horford directing traffic on defense either. Lower minute guys like Ojeleye and Morris seem to know where everyone belongs. Even Nader and Yabusele--while clearly not as fluent as the others--are coming off the bench with a working knowledge of where to be.

Brad is the factor, but it's not just Zen Wizardry, culture, and motivational speeches. It's a good system and good coaching, and it makes everyone better.
I think this in the Glob, after last nights game, sums up Stevens pretty well:

Its the fact that Stevens doesn't, for example, emphasize Monroe's man-to-man defense over his shooting, or Smart's shooting over his defense that contributes so much to them doing the things that they are really good at. Rozier couldn't put the ball in the ocean for 3 quarters in Utah. And Semi and Larkin were both unflustered enough to make passes when the designed play broke down. When they need them to do what they do, they aren't distracted by what they dont do well.
To me, that's a reflection of a coach who is not only good, but also very secure. ("I know Monroe is looking foolish on defense a few times, but we aren't going to win without some of his points down the stretch.")

You really see it when he's coaching a bunch of limited players. They're all in the NBA, so they're good at something, even if not a lot of things. Or when he has players with a glaring limitation, like IT last year.
These are both great posts, thank you.

It occurs to me that we're basically reverse-engineering "do your job" and seeing just how much value that approach brings.

I really like the simplification into parts makes the jobs easier to do angle, here. Like, for example, I can see how it would be easier for a player to "reset" after getting lost on defense, and being able to do so more quickly.
 

slamminsammya

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Players are just better here than they are with other coaches. That is such a massive advantage. I was skeptical earlier this year but I am sold - Brads the best.
 

DJnVa

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Players are just better here than they are with other coaches. That is such a massive advantage. I was skeptical earlier this year but I am sold - Brads the best.
It's like that old line--he can take his and beat yours, and take yours and beat his.
 

HomeRunBaker

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that play he drew up to steal this one from utah just sealed it. stevens is ainge’s best asset.
Stevens is really good no doubt but when he gets credit for drawing up a play where the players on the floor have to improvise to get off the game winning shot........ya know.

At least Jaylen spoke up about giving the players credit in the post game presser.
 

Eddie Jurak

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Stevens is really good no doubt but when he gets credit for drawing up a play where the players on the floor have to improvise to get off the game winning shot........ya know.

At least Jaylen spoke up about giving the players credit in the post game presser.
Worth noting that I've never seen Stevens take credit for things the players do, which I think is part of his success. Some coaches we've had here (one in particular) acted as if their job is to coach the ball into the basket.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Worth noting that I've never seen Stevens take credit for things the players do, which I think is part of his success. Some coaches we've had here (one in particular) acted as if their job is to coach the ball into the basket.
I agree with this. Watching Stevens grow over these past half dozen seasons has been one of the many bright spots to this rebuild. While I don't place a ton of weight on an NBA head coach so long as he is competent it is clear that Ainge nailed this one.
 

benhogan

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I've watched 95% of the games this year and can't remember the Celtics breaking out a 2-3 zone in their half-court defense.* Utah's PNR was unstoppable for most of the 3rd Quarter, then with 4mins left (down 11pts) in Q3 the Celtics used the zone to completely throw Utah's offense off. The Celts also used the 2-3 zone with 2:36 left in the game down 4pts. Both times it was very effective, I think we may see it more when Monroe is on the floor

In the postgame interview, Brad said they have been practicing it to combat adept PNR teams. Kudo's to Brad for practicing it and using it in a key spot last night.


*Celtics have used the 2-3 zone on inbound plays under the basket and have used that diamond zone to put pressure on inbounds late in games (Indiana/Rozier steal game).
 
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DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I've watched 95% of the games this year and can't remember the Celtics breaking out a 2-3 zone in their half-court defense.* Utah's PNR was unstoppable for most of the 3rd Quarter, then with 4mins left (down 11pts) in Q3 the Celtics used the zone to completely throw Utah's offense off. The Celts also used to 2-3 zone with 2:36 left in the game down 4pts. Both times it was very effective, I think we may see it more when Monroe is on the floor

In the postgame interview, Brad said they have been practicing it to combat adept PNR teams. Kudo's to Brad for practicing it and using it in a key spot last night.


*Celtics have used the 2-3 zone on inbound plays under the basket and have used that diamond zone to put pressure on inbounds late in games (Indiana/Rozier steal game).
I seriously think that this road trip, culminating with the switch to the 2-3 zone last night which allowed the C's to steal that win, put Stevens over the top for coach of the year. The NBA pundits all took note of the personnel (or lack thereof), the coaching calls and the results. Casey has had a fantastic season and deserves credit for molding his starters and bench into a very tough, cohesive team. But Stevens is winning tough games with spit, kleenex and guile. Anyone who knows how this league works is recognizing that. NBA radio spent a lot of time giving Brad love today.
 

benhogan

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I seriously think that this road trip, culminating with the switch to the 2-3 zone last night which allowed the C's to steal that win, put Stevens over the top for coach of the year. The NBA pundits all took note of the personnel (or lack thereof), the coaching calls and the results. Casey has had a fantastic season and deserves credit for molding his starters and bench into a very tough, cohesive team. But Stevens is winning tough games with spit, kleenex and guile. Anyone who knows how this league works is recognizing that. NBA radio spent a lot of time giving Brad love today.
Down 7, with 6:30 left, on the road against Utah with Yabusele, Larkin, Ojeleye, Rozier and Brown on the floor.

Nuff said, Brad COY
 

BillMuellerFanClub

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Stevens coached circles around Casey in the 4th tonight. If the west coast trip didn't tip the scales, I'm guessing this game was it.
 

Imbricus

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Before the Toronto game, I was thinking there's no way they beat the Raptors with this depleted lineup. But once again, Brad found a way. Putting Horford in with the second unit was inspired, as it prevented Toronto's strong bench from doing irreversible damage. This six-game winning streak is all the more amazing for how improbable it is; if you asked how the Celts would've survived these six games at the outset, my guess would've been 1-5 or maybe 2-4. This streak impresses me more than the longer one they ran off at the beginning of the season.
 

Jimbodandy

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For a few minutes last night, they ran a lineup of Tatum, Nader, Morris, Horford, and Monroe, and it worked. I can't recall seeing a lineup that big before. Randomly throwing a zone at them again was inspired as well.

He is the coach of the year, whether he wins the award or not.
 

Sam Ray Not

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It seems crazy to give COY to anyone but Stevens ... but it also seems crazy not to give it to D'Antoni. Tough call.
 

benhogan

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Brad can turn water into wine but can do nothing with Abdel Nader. Yikes... watching a replay this morning, 7 mins of terrible hoops from Nader.
 
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LondonSox

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Worth noting that I've never seen Stevens take credit for things the players do, which I think is part of his success. Some coaches we've had here (one in particular) acted as if their job is to coach the ball into the basket.
Still how I judge leadership, pass on credit, take on blame.
He's good. He's just a really good coach and leader.

I'd say pop remains number one, I mean he's doing it again this year so far. I honestly don't think you can say anyone is better than Pop until he declines or someone else has an extended run.
I think Stevens is great but to call him the best coach in the league is too much.

CoY candidates
Casey I think was there but is slipping, if they lose first it an almost impossible argument.

D'Antoni, Mcmillan (given pacers performance), pop (without khawi) and brown are others in the running I guess.
But if Celtics sneak first I think it will be Stevens.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Down 7, with 6:30 left, on the road against Utah with Yabusele, Larkin, Ojeleye, Rozier and Brown on the floor.

Nuff said, Brad COY
That lineup played 3.8 minutes according to B-Ref and was +1. Perhaps even more amazing is that Larkin, Monroe, Nader, Ojeleye, and Rozier were on the floor for 2.5 minutes and were only -1.
For a few minutes last night, they ran a lineup of Tatum, Nader, Morris, Horford, and Monroe, and it worked. I can't recall seeing a lineup that big before. Randomly throwing a zone at them again was inspired as well.

He is the coach of the year, whether he wins the award or not.
That lineup got 2 minutes according to NBA.com. Not sure what the +/- is yet because info not yet up on BRef.

The highest NRtg for the TOR game was the 3mp from Horford, Monroe, Morris, Ojeleye, and Rozier, which we've seen much (if at all). Another lineup that performed well was 6 minutes of Allen, Horford, Monroe, Morris, Ojeleye, which would make more sense if we were in 2012 and the Allen in question was Tony Allen, not Kadeem Allen.

Brad certainly has a talent for knowing which matchups are going to emphasize his player's strengths (like starting Yabu vs. UT). I wonder if another part of Brad's success is rolling out these crazy lineups that other teams can't prepare for.
 

Jimbodandy

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That lineup played 3.8 minutes according to B-Ref and was +1. Perhaps even more amazing is that Larkin, Monroe, Nader, Ojeleye, and Rozier were on the floor for 2.5 minutes and were only -1.

That lineup got 2 minutes according to NBA.com. Not sure what the +/- is yet because info not yet up on BRef.

The highest NRtg for the TOR game was the 3mp from Horford, Monroe, Morris, Ojeleye, and Rozier, which we've seen much (if at all). Another lineup that performed well was 6 minutes of Allen, Horford, Monroe, Morris, Ojeleye, which would make more sense if we were in 2012 and the Allen in question was Tony Allen, not Kadeem Allen.

Brad certainly has a talent for knowing which matchups are going to emphasize his player's strengths (like starting Yabu vs. UT). I wonder if another part of Brad's success is rolling out these crazy lineups that other teams can't prepare for.
Yes, that lineup wasn't on long. I just remember wondering why Van Vleet was covering Tatum and noticing that Tatum was at the 1, etc.

He's good at putting guys in situations where they won't likely get abused too much, and maybe they even have an advantage. His planning for matchups is excellent,
 

slamminsammya

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I wasn't sure where to put this but futsing around on basketball reference this evening I saw that, besides Aron Baynes, no Celtic has been called for more than one blocking foul this season.

That is kind of shocking when you think about it. Says a lot about the superior individual defenders they have across the board.
 

Reverend

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Stevens is really good no doubt but when he gets credit for drawing up a play where the players on the floor have to improvise to get off the game winning shot........ya know.

At least Jaylen spoke up about giving the players credit in the post game presser.
Worth noting that I've never seen Stevens take credit for things the players do, which I think is part of his success. Some coaches we've had here (one in particular) acted as if their job is to coach the ball into the basket.
I agree with this. Watching Stevens grow over these past half dozen seasons has been one of the many bright spots to this rebuild. While I don't place a ton of weight on an NBA head coach so long as he is competent it is clear that Ainge nailed this one.
Before the Toronto game, I was thinking there's no way they beat the Raptors with this depleted lineup. But once again, Brad found a way. Putting Horford in with the second unit was inspired, as it prevented Toronto's strong bench from doing irreversible damage. This six-game winning streak is all the more amazing for how improbable it is; if you asked how the Celts would've survived these six games at the outset, my guess would've been 1-5 or maybe 2-4. This streak impresses me more than the longer one they ran off at the beginning of the season.
Still how I judge leadership, pass on credit, take on blame.
He's good. He's just a really good coach and leader.
Q.E.D.
 

joe dokes

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I wasn't sure where to put this but futsing around on basketball reference this evening I saw that, besides Aron Baynes, no Celtic has been called for more than one blocking foul this season.

That is kind of shocking when you think about it. Says a lot about the superior individual defenders they have across the board.
The devil's advocate would say that one way to avoid blocking fouls is to play matador defense. That isn't what the Celtics do, however, which, of course, is the point.
 

nighthob

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I agree with this. Watching Stevens grow over these past half dozen seasons has been one of the many bright spots to this rebuild.
The fun part of this is that he hasn't been here half a dozen seasons, this is his fifth season, and the first was largely a throwaway as Ainge strip-mined the roster for draft picks to rebuild around.
 

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Lengthy ESPN puff piece about Stevens' season and how he's managed personalities this year, including his own.
I just realized there is a "zone" like Simmons's Tyson Zone, but where I will read just about any puff piece about a guy, I don't care how puffy. Hell, the puffier the better--let the feeling of the love in wash over me!

Brad Stevens is firmly in that zone for me right now.
 

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He just exudes EQ, doesn't he?
"You dream of coaching teams where people aren't worried about how much they're going to play or what their role is," Stevens said. "These guys just all do whatever they need to do to help the team win, and that's where we are right now.

"That's one of the things that makes the transition when you lose guys a little bit easier."
 

JimBoSox9

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I just realized there is a "zone" like Simmons's Tyson Zone, but where I will read just about any puff piece about a guy, I don't care how puffy. Hell, the puffier the better--let the feeling of the love in wash over me!

Brad Stevens is firmly in that zone for me right now.
It's the Pedro Zone, and I'll tolerate little discussion on the matter - save perhaps a runner-up nod towards Ali or Teddy Ballgame.
 

benhogan

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Have to believe the Celtics don't have an advantage versus the Bucks with Brad at the helm versus interim HC Joe Prunty.

Hope Brad shortens the bench and plays a rotation of 8-9 players.
WINGS: Horford, Tatum, Brown, MaMo get roughly 36 mins each.
PG: Rozier 36mins, Larkin 12mins
C: Baynes 20mins, Monroe 20mins

That leaves 8 mins of Semi getting physical with Giannis.

Horford is going to be asked to primarily cover Giannis in Round 1 and Simmons in Round 2. Tough assignment

edited: grammer...Brad at the helm against all coaches is an advantage. Over Prunty it was huge. My Brad crush continues unabated.
 
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LondonSox

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I think you can beat the bucks esp with giannis seeming overworked and tired.

And I think the coaching advantage is a huge factor.

As for Horford being primary D on Simmons, I don't buy that, I think he will at times but I would think that's a hard cover on footspeed
 

benhogan

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Brown would be the primary guy on Simmons not Horford.
nope. It is Horford in the halfcourt. Has been in the games they played the Sixers. AND the Celtics have pretty much throttled Simmons. Ben's foot speed plays in transition and then its all hands on deck. In the halfcourt, Al will be fine against Ben.

Jaylen will probably be on Covington, Redick or Belinelli

 
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joe dokes

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I think the idea against a team whose best player is so much better then their other players is to require him to score 75 points to beat you. (obviously harder to do as teams get better and deeper). If they double Giannis, it will be with an eye toward making him pass it where *they* want him to pass it. Otherwise just make sure the other guys arent raining 3s. I think Stevens switches up the defenders on him. Horford, Brown, Semi all bring something slightly different to the effort. Giannis is going to get worn out carrying the load, especially on defense, where he's is a key cog for the Bucks. I also think Stevens learned a lot about the Bucks from the game last week.
 

HomeRunBaker

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nope. It is Horford in the halfcourt. Has been in the games they played the Sixers. AND the Celtics have pretty much throttled Simmons. Ben's foot speed plays in transition and then its all hands on deck. In the halfcourt, Al will be fine against Ben.

Jaylen will probably be on Covington, Redick or Belinelli
Was about to post same. Much of the Sixers offense is run through Simmons on the low block with cutters forcing rotation allowing all their 3-point shooters open looks off the cuts. In the open court it is still going to be predicated on matchups in transition which won't change. Some teams still utilize their guards on Simmons which plays right into what they like to do. Horford has the size, strength, and agility to be a perfect matchup against him.
 

mostman

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Let’s get through the first series first. And then we can talk about guarding Simmons.
 

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Was about to post same. Much of the Sixers offense is run through Simmons on the low block with cutters forcing rotation allowing all their 3-point shooters open looks off the cuts. In the open court it is still going to be predicated on matchups in transition which won't change. Some teams still utilize their guards on Simmons which plays right into what they like to do. Horford has the size, strength, and agility to be a perfect matchup against him.
In a long series it's the quickness I worry about. I think we'll see a rotating cast including Ojele, Smart (if available), Brown - if nothing else to spread the fouls around.

I'm hopeful they are even in a position to be concerned with such an issue.
 

the moops

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If I had a vote, it would go to Quin Snyder. Brad at least had Kyrie and Al for most of the season. Quin had a rookie, Ricky Rubio, and 56 games of Rudy Gobert. Damn impressive