In a completely shocking move, Brad Stevens has accepted the head coaching position with the Boston Celtics. After the opportunities that Stevens has passed up, I thought there was only one job that he would leave Butler to take. The big thing I overlooked was the NBA. It just never crossed my mind that Coach Stevens would be snapped up by the NBA.
Even with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett gone, the Celtics are still the Boston Celtics. It is tough to pass up that job opportunity. He has Rajon Rondo, for the moment, to build around. They are stocked with draft picks. Many teams, Celtics included, have been expected to "tank" this season in order to get a good draft position for a much hyped draft class in 2014. The class should be strong but, with the lottery, tanking is never a sure bet.
How Will Brad Stevens Do In The NBA?
Realistically, I think he will adjust very easily. He was not a coach at Butler that intimidated players into working hard. NBA coaches cannot intimidate players. NBA coaches have to be a psychologist and philosopher to be effective. That is how Brad Stevens coached his Butler teams. He rarely screamed at or berated a player even in practice. There was a way things were supposed to be done. If you did not do it then there was punishment, usually the bench.
Butler often practiced at 6am under Brad Stevens. I was at a 6am practice one day early in the season one year. He warned the team that their energy was not good enough twice. He did not scream or shout, he just told them to pick it up. On the third time, he cancelled practice saying that it was not worth it. They would have practice in the afternoon after classes. I believe that is the type of coaching that actually works with highly paid NBA players.
Basketball always comes down to talent. If you have talented players in the NBA, then you win games. If you are outmatched, then you lose games. This first year is going to be very tough. If the Celtics acquire some talent, then Coach Stevens will mold it into a winner.
The NBA is embracing advanced statistics rapidly. Brad Stevens was a leading pioneer in the advanced stats area for the college game. It is certainly an area that he will put a lot of attention. It will be interesting if he brings Drew Cannon with him to Boston. Cannon was a full-time advanced stats assistant to Stevens hired this summer. Cannon was a graduate assistant this past season for Butler. There is no doubt that advanced statistics will be a focal point to scouting for the Celtics under Stevens.
It is definitely an uphill battle for Stevens with the depleted Celtics roster. They will likely have a very young roster this season. That fits right into Stevens' comfort zone. Brad Stevens will do an optimal job with Celtics. That is a good way to sum it up.