What do you think of the Brad Stevens move?
- Thread starter Cesar Crespo
- Start date
Changed my mind to neutral. Good basketball mind and no issues with reffing/reviews etc. Also sort of depends on his help and the coaching change
I voted 'Like it' because this team needed a change. I would assign myself to the group that believes that sending away bright basketball minds with his upside, and who would promptly find gainful employment with another contender, is generally a bad thing for a franchise that wants to be world-class, so keeping Stevens in the fold pushes me above neutral. I am not so familiar with the responsibilities associated with being the President of Basketball Operations, but if it closely approximates Chaim's responsibilities with the Sox then I have to think this is the best possible fit as an Ainge replacement. Continuity is important, and so is implementing a vision and culture that will be supported throughout the organization and for both of these points I think this is where Brad has a chance to really shine. Finding a coach that aligns with his general philosophies of lineup construction, player rotations, and the skillsets that lead to success will be the single most important factor when evaluating what the next year+ of what Brad the Exec might look like.
Not that Ainge and Danny didn't work well together - their partnership was a resounding success - but for a coach who has preached positionless basketball, Danny could have done better in aligning with that MO from a talent acquisition perspective (even simply substituting Brogdon for Kemba). If this move nets more organizational synergy in Brad's core beliefs then I am comfortable with the direction of the franchise moving forward.
Edit: I should also add re: the coaching search that it is incredibly important to mesh the aforementioned requirements with their ability to resonate the organizational messages to the players in general, and with JT and JB specifically. That's a really tight needle to thread, but I'm excited to see what the search yields.
Not that Ainge and Danny didn't work well together - their partnership was a resounding success - but for a coach who has preached positionless basketball, Danny could have done better in aligning with that MO from a talent acquisition perspective (even simply substituting Brogdon for Kemba). If this move nets more organizational synergy in Brad's core beliefs then I am comfortable with the direction of the franchise moving forward.
Edit: I should also add re: the coaching search that it is incredibly important to mesh the aforementioned requirements with their ability to resonate the organizational messages to the players in general, and with JT and JB specifically. That's a really tight needle to thread, but I'm excited to see what the search yields.
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I'm neutral but I wanted Danny Ainge to go so I'm happy with almost any change.
Seems after the initial "wtf"," the vast majority of people have settled down and are willing to give Stevens a chance.
Seems after the initial "wtf"," the vast majority of people have settled down and are willing to give Stevens a chance.
Seems like the best of both worlds being able to retain Stevens' brilliant basketball mind while also implementing change and a new perspective on the sidelines. Like it.
Agree with all of this and would only add that I really like this for Ainge given his heart troubles and his looking pretty rundown the last few years. He has earned retirement and it makes me happy when people say "enough" to the grind of full-time work and take a few years off to enjoy the fruits of their careers. I am assuming that he decides to actually retire/takes a lower stress "advisory" position somewhere in the league.
I think this development never even remotely crossed my mind. Brad and Danny being gone all in the same off-season was a more likely development imo.
I'm intrigued, especially if Brad is committed to making changes and not running it back as is. Fascinating development.
I'm intrigued, especially if Brad is committed to making changes and not running it back as is. Fascinating development.
I have no idea what type of success he will have in the new role, but I'm glad that there will be a new coach on the sidelines. Without a big shakeup, the stink of 2020-21 could have malingered well into the next season.
I voted they should've kept him as head coach.
I know he's very good at that job. Have no clue if he'll be good at his new one, or if the new coach will be good.
If I had to guess, they've downgraded at both GM and head coach, at least for the coming season.
I know he's very good at that job. Have no clue if he'll be good at his new one, or if the new coach will be good.
If I had to guess, they've downgraded at both GM and head coach, at least for the coming season.
Voted “Like it” but after I clicked I wanted to change to “Love it.”
My position since earlier in the season was to move on from Ainge and Brad.......and we did, kinda. We gained a new GM with fresh ideas and a new coach to better connect with the players.....we accomplished both while keeping Brad’s plus BB-mind in the organization. It wasn’t exactly what I expected but yeah, I’m a fan of it. Change was desperately needed.
My position since earlier in the season was to move on from Ainge and Brad.......and we did, kinda. We gained a new GM with fresh ideas and a new coach to better connect with the players.....we accomplished both while keeping Brad’s plus BB-mind in the organization. It wasn’t exactly what I expected but yeah, I’m a fan of it. Change was desperately needed.
Brad knows the roster, the locker room, and the players better than anyone else. By all accounts he has a brilliant mind for the game. Presumably, he's got an eye for talent given his recruiting at Butler and involvement in C's personnel decisions. I think he's a good fit. I like the move.
For this to work, the Celts have to hit on both changes. New GM and New Coach.
And as an aside, this shitshow of a year of covid, and endless injuries would have been a challenge for Red, Zen Master, Pop or Riley
I like Brad as coach and think he will succeed as GM as he's smart and seems organized and understands the team and the strengths and weakneeses and probably how to address them. I think he has a vision. Now he has to learn about GMing and that competitive playing field and how to compete and win there. And other shit. But I think he can.
I had some, but not many reservations about Brad as coach, I had wanted a more fiery, less laid back leader, but I think finding a better coach than Brad will not be easy
If someone can tell me who the new coach will be and how he/she and Brad work together I'd be more inclined to check a box other than, how the fuck can I know.
And as an aside, this shitshow of a year of covid, and endless injuries would have been a challenge for Red, Zen Master, Pop or Riley
I like Brad as coach and think he will succeed as GM as he's smart and seems organized and understands the team and the strengths and weakneeses and probably how to address them. I think he has a vision. Now he has to learn about GMing and that competitive playing field and how to compete and win there. And other shit. But I think he can.
I had some, but not many reservations about Brad as coach, I had wanted a more fiery, less laid back leader, but I think finding a better coach than Brad will not be easy
If someone can tell me who the new coach will be and how he/she and Brad work together I'd be more inclined to check a box other than, how the fuck can I know.
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I feel pretty confident that Brad Stevens is an above average NBA head coach. Not the best, but he's above average.
I also feel pretty confident that Danny Ainge is an above average GM. Not the best, but he's above average.
Today, I can't be confident in either of those positions for the Celtics.
Regarding the new head coach, I think they have to bring in someone from the outside. I don't really get promoting someone from within. Anyone who was capable of motivating the players on the current staff should have already been doing that, right? Gripes aside, I don't think there is some magic lineup change that is going to (would have resulted in) some big change in their success. Of course, there was that 2-big thing......but, I digress
Basketball seems more about motivation and inspirational leadership than X-Os or gameplans - at least for the most part.
I also feel pretty confident that Danny Ainge is an above average GM. Not the best, but he's above average.
Today, I can't be confident in either of those positions for the Celtics.
Regarding the new head coach, I think they have to bring in someone from the outside. I don't really get promoting someone from within. Anyone who was capable of motivating the players on the current staff should have already been doing that, right? Gripes aside, I don't think there is some magic lineup change that is going to (would have resulted in) some big change in their success. Of course, there was that 2-big thing......but, I digress
Basketball seems more about motivation and inspirational leadership than X-Os or gameplans - at least for the most part.
Yeah, I voted neutral for mostly this reason. There has been some vague reporting that Stevens has had previous input into front-office matters already, which is good, but it's just too hard to know to what degree, what exactly made ownership in favor of this move, who will be around Brad supporting him, etc. I'm optimistic, but there is a non-zero chance it ends up being a total tire fire.
Danny's comment the other day was unnecessary and tone deaf. Haven't loved Danny's work the last 3 seasons, and may sway his decision-making on whom to trade away. Plus his health hasn't been great, sounds like more golf interests him. Also don't care for the blatant nepotism in the front office, I hope Zarren gets a promotion.
Brad is smart and I'm happy to see him in his new role. He'll know which players need to stay/go and whom to add. Hopefully he'll communicate with the Jays on the next hire.
One of the weird things that happened this past season was when Brad had no idea DAR had traded Theis.
Brad is smart and I'm happy to see him in his new role. He'll know which players need to stay/go and whom to add. Hopefully he'll communicate with the Jays on the next hire.
One of the weird things that happened this past season was when Brad had no idea DAR had traded Theis.
I like it, in that I think I do think Stevens is going to be a very capable front office person, especially w/ Zarren.
I recall there was an article posted where different GMs discussed what it was like dealing with Ainge. They were unanimous in saying that Ainge and Zarren were always very well prepared and paid close attention to details (even if some posters said the article "proved" that the league's GM's hate Ainge). Wyc would not have promoted Stevens unless he had similar characteristics. As long as Jason Kidd isn't hired, I'm good (and that seemed like a leak from Kidd's agent than a real story).
The one regret is that we never got to see Stevens coach the team he deserved. Hayward gets hurt, and then Kyrie misses the playoffs with a bad knee. Hayward was never healthy the following season, and then the Kyrie dysfunction happens. Kemba was a shadow of himself in the playoff bubble last year, and he and many others were hurt throughout the season this year. I think Stevens with a real NBA roster would have been a treat to watch.
As for Ainge, I will always be grateful for bringing in KG and Ray Allen, and Tatum and Brown. The Kyrie and Hayward moves were a home run at the time; not at all his fault that they did not work out. But if he was feeling it was time to move (and I'm 100% certain this move was driven by Ainge, not Wyc), I'm fine with the move.
I recall there was an article posted where different GMs discussed what it was like dealing with Ainge. They were unanimous in saying that Ainge and Zarren were always very well prepared and paid close attention to details (even if some posters said the article "proved" that the league's GM's hate Ainge). Wyc would not have promoted Stevens unless he had similar characteristics. As long as Jason Kidd isn't hired, I'm good (and that seemed like a leak from Kidd's agent than a real story).
The one regret is that we never got to see Stevens coach the team he deserved. Hayward gets hurt, and then Kyrie misses the playoffs with a bad knee. Hayward was never healthy the following season, and then the Kyrie dysfunction happens. Kemba was a shadow of himself in the playoff bubble last year, and he and many others were hurt throughout the season this year. I think Stevens with a real NBA roster would have been a treat to watch.
As for Ainge, I will always be grateful for bringing in KG and Ray Allen, and Tatum and Brown. The Kyrie and Hayward moves were a home run at the time; not at all his fault that they did not work out. But if he was feeling it was time to move (and I'm 100% certain this move was driven by Ainge, not Wyc), I'm fine with the move.
I voted give him a chance but am still sorta stunned, even though I can see how the cards played out in hindsight. It was always both or neither to me, but the Cs somehow middled it.
There’s no way Ainge fires Brad, just no chance. That meant any changes start in the front office, and no coach succeeds under a new GM so here we are.
I largely blame the Cs challenges on shitty luck and Ainges rosters covered in weird hair that got worse three years consecutively.
There’s no way Ainge fires Brad, just no chance. That meant any changes start in the front office, and no coach succeeds under a new GM so here we are.
I largely blame the Cs challenges on shitty luck and Ainges rosters covered in weird hair that got worse three years consecutively.
Brad is smart and I have no doubt he'll be good at his job. However, it's probably better to be lucky than good in that position.
I know I'm not saying anything that people don't know but at the end of the day, if the Cs win a lot, the move will be great and if they don't, it's going to be a shitshow. And the problem is that the Cs have limited ways of getting better other than growth of their existing players.
Well, except for Danny. I'm glad he's getting out on what at least he appears to be able to say is his own terms.
I know I'm not saying anything that people don't know but at the end of the day, if the Cs win a lot, the move will be great and if they don't, it's going to be a shitshow. And the problem is that the Cs have limited ways of getting better other than growth of their existing players.
Well, except for Danny. I'm glad he's getting out on what at least he appears to be able to say is his own terms.
This sums up my feelings pretty well.
There are obviously plenty of examples where coaches have transitioned to front offices roles and found success — look no further than Ainge. But Stevens has been in coaching his entire adult life. While he may enjoy something new, coaching has gotta be in his blood by now. I can’t help but think this move substantially increases the odds that he’s a college head coach in two years, whether by his own volition or not.
A team that risks the loss of both Ainge and Stevens is likely poorer for it.
@Chad Finn with a very thoughtful piece on this: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/03/sports/many-celtics-fans-wanted-drastic-changes-now-well-see-how-that-works-out/
