N.A.S.
by Dillon Meehan
Less than two years ago, Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge traded away head coach Doc Rivers and brought in 36-year-old Brad Stevens from Butler. Like most Ainge moves, it was met heavily with criticism. Skeptics criticized the move, believing that Stevens didn’t have the ability to coach an NBA roster, especially due to his age.
Fast-forward to 2015, where Brad Stevens is now considered to be a part of the NBA’s coaching elite. He took the Celtics from a 25-57 record last year to a 40-42 record and an eight seed in the playoffs this year. Not only did he win nearly twice as many games as the following season, but he also dealt with arguably the largest roster shakeup in NBA history.
Over the past 12 months, the Celtics have had 40 (yes, 40) different players on their roster. An NBA roster can have a maximum of 15 players, with 12 eligible to play. This team had enough to form three.
And oh yeah, he also lost his best two players.
Stevens even has fans clamoring for an opportunity to play for a title, just months after they were hoping for a chance to win the lottery and get Jahlil Okafor. And with 11 first round picks over the next three seasons, the franchise is expected to be fully reloaded by the time we usher in a new president.
In December, Ainge traded “franchise” point guard Rajon Rondo for two picks and a slew of players, of which only Jae Crowder is still on the Celtics roster.
A month later he traded Jeff Green, the Celtics best overall player and leading scorer, to the Memphis Grizzlies for Tayhsaun Prince and, once again, a first-round pick. Prince was traded a few weeks later for two players with expiring contracts.
Despite all of that, Stevens led his Celtics to a 24-12 record since the All-Star break, second best in the league, and was considered to be the favorite to win the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.
However, the 130 sports writers and broadcasters who voted felt that Stevens’ performance wasn’t enough. In fact, only two believed he was the best. Atlanta head coach Mike Budenholzer, who led his Hawks to an impressive 60-win season, (despite the worst point deferential by a 60-win team in NBA history) had nearly 50 more votes and 11 more first-place votes than second-place Steve Kerr.
Kerr led the Golden State Warriors to one of the five best seasons of all time and coaches the NBA’s best offense and defense. Stevens finished fourth, 463 points behind Budenholzer.
Losing his best two players and record aside, the Celtics roster is arguably one of the worst in the league. There isn’t a single player on their roster that would start on a playoff team. It’s a team filled entirely of role players. There aren’t any go-to scorers or a rim protector.
However, Stevens’ high-paced, high-screen-and-roll offense has allowed this team to become one of the best offenses in the league. It has saved Evan Turner’s career and even made some people call Jonas Jerebko (who came over in the Prince trade) the “Swedish Larry Bird.” Yeah, that happened.
Many media members expect Stevens to soon leave his position in Boston and return back to college ball. Sportswriters believe that if his hometown Indiana Hoosers decided to part ways with Tom Crean, then Stevens will come running. Or if Roy Williams or Mike Krzyzewski decide to call it quits that Stevens will be priority number one.
But for Stevens, why would he? He is coaching one the most storied franchises in not only basketball but in the history of sports. And Ainge isn’t going to simply allow him to leave without putting up a fight.
Boston loves Stevens, and there seems to be a different vibe then there was with Doc, who was just never fully invested in the team. Regardless of the outcome, Stevens’ performance this season has not only proved the media wrong, but has also shown his ability to be among the NBA’s elite. And he should have been this season’s Coach of the Year.