Who will yell at refs with passion? Cs Coaching Search

HomeRunBaker

bet squelcher
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
30,096
ESPN reporting that Kidd is scheduled to interview with Celtics. I’m not sure if I can handle this place should he be Brad’s guy.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,207
Like most others here, I have zero insight into this process but again, it will be surprising (alarming) if whomever Boston hires is "Brad's person (Hammon!)". It will be by definition but if Tatum/Brown want Kidd, so be it. Its easier to undo that than to try an win back the hearts and minds of disgruntled stars.

For the record, I am not advocating for Kidd - just acknowledging the reality of today's NBA.
 

HomeRunBaker

bet squelcher
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
30,096
Who at ESPN reported this?

I'm looking for it and can't find it.
Boston.com reporter said that ESPN reported that he was interviewing with Boston this week. I didn’t look beyond that. I did see on my feed that Chris Haynes from Yahoo also said he was “expected to interview with Boston.”
 

mcpickl

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2007
4,546
Boston.com reporter said that ESPN reported that he was interviewing with Boston this week. I didn’t look beyond that. I did see on my feed that Chris Haynes from Yahoo also said he was “expected to interview with Boston.”
I know Haynes water carried like seconds after Stevens got promoted that Kidd was "expected to be a candidate". I haven't seen anyone report he's scheduled to interview yet.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
Kidd to Orlando? That makes more sense to me than Boston. Orlando is looking to rebuild, Kidd isn't a good in-game coach, but he's a big name and maybe he gets that young group on the right page, and his personal experience might help Fultz.

Edit-
I know Haynes water carried like seconds after Stevens got promoted that Kidd was "expected to be a candidate". I haven't seen anyone report he's scheduled to interview yet.
It's a single line that he's "expected to interview" in this:
https://sports.yahoo.com/anthony-davis-on-playing-in-game-6-loss-to-suns-i-dont-regret-anything-163338248.html
Of course it's from Friday and is in a paragraph that also says he's expected to be the top target for Portland.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
There's no way the C's hire Kidd. The fans and media would have a field day.

I'd hate to be wrong.
 

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,291
Simply can't fathom a scenario where Jason Kidd is not only the best person for the job but also the favored choice of Brad Stevens, the rest of the Celtics braintrust, and the players. Makes no sense. Like hiring Bobby Valentine except with less prior coaching success and a history of already being universally hated by everyone in town.
 

CoffeeNerdness

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 6, 2012
8,714
Like most others here, I have zero insight into this process but again, it will be surprising (alarming) if whomever Boston hires is "Brad's person (Hammon!)". It will be by definition but if Tatum/Brown want Kidd, so be it. Its easier to undo that than to try an win back the hearts and minds of disgruntled stars.

For the record, I am not advocating for Kidd - just acknowledging the reality of today's NBA.
How do you square this with 10+ year vet Lillard advocating for Kidd and Kidd not being in the running in Portland? If your theory is right then Jason Kidd is the heavy favorite to be the coach in Boston(Tatum and or Brown have told all parties they want him and the interview is a formality), because the idea he passed up a desirable job for an outside shot at another seems suboptimal if I'm Jason Kidd. If it's Portland who passed on Kidd then that theory clearly has some holes in it.

Edit. Just saw this.

View: https://twitter.com/PeterVecsey1/status/1401650516053172229


Peter Vecsey

@PeterVecsey1

·
17h

Why would Jason Kidd rapidly remove his name from ‘consideration’ you ask? A Portland person in the know submits it’s because he knew Chauncey Billups is a living lock to get the job.
 

kfoss99

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2009
1,192
Is the #MeToo movement dead? How is Jason Kidd even being considered for a head coaching job in the league?

Not to mention his cool under .500 career coaching record.

If the players want him, so be it. But, I've never forgiven Kidd or Wil Cordero.
 

Bernie Carbohydrate

writes the Semi-Fin
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2001
4,047
South Carolina via Dorchestah
Is the #MeToo movement dead? How is Jason Kidd even being considered for a head coaching job in the league?

Not to mention his cool under .500 career coaching record.

If the players want him, so be it. But, I've never forgiven Kidd or Wil Cordero.
But being in the game threads when Kidd's defensive scheme lets up uncontested corner three after uncontested corner three could be fun...
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
Is the #MeToo movement dead? How is Jason Kidd even being considered for a head coaching job in the league?

Not to mention his cool under .500 career coaching record.

If the players want him, so be it. But, I've never forgiven Kidd or Wil Cordero.
I mean... Kidd abused his wife... Chauncey settled a rape charge, they're the two top candidates on the market. The NBA (and all pro-sports) don't care about anything as long as it's long enough ago that they think the headlines aren't going to be bad
 

kfoss99

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2009
1,192
I mean... Kidd abused his wife... Chauncey settled a rape charge, they're the two top candidates on the market. The NBA (and all pro-sports) don't care about anything as long as it's long enough ago that they think the headlines aren't going to be bad
I didn't know of Billups' case, knowing that I wouldn't want him. Or the very least have it a major part of the interview process.

This is Boston, the headlines should be bad, especially for Kidd who was an archrival. But, that's all ancient history in sports years.

Maybe he's a changed man and we can judge him solely on his poor coaching.
 

Gash Prex

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 18, 2002
6,823
Any interest in Jarron Collins?

Collins was highly respected and well-liked by the Warriors' players. Warriors forward Draymond Green once described Collins' defensive game plan as "[expletive] phenomenal" to the San Francisco Chronicle, while forward Marquese Chriss said it was "super beneficial" to have him in player development. Collins also developed a reputation for crafting easy-to-understand defensive game plans and his meticulous approach to watching game film.

"I'm going to really miss Jarron, both personally and professionally," Kerr told The Undefeated in a statement. "He's an excellent coach and a wonderful human being. It's going to be different without him around, but he deserves the chance to continue his growth with the goal of ultimately becoming a head coach in the NBA. Jarron has all the skills necessary. He's a great teacher and communicator, he's smart and funny, and he knows the game."
Collins has moved back to his hometown of Los Angeles with his wife, Elsa, and three children. He said that he has received some coaching interest from NBA teams. The Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic have openings for a head coach. The former Stanford University star would also be open-minded to being a head coach on the college level.

"There has been conversations," Collins said. "But I'm going to be deliberate and strategic with my next step. I want to be a head coach. We're going to look at all levels. We will look at what opportunities are out there. I want to be a first-assistant coach or a head coach. I'm looking to take those next steps."
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31584971/assistant-coach-jarron-collins-moving-golden-state-warriors-eyes-head-coaching-job
 

NomarsFool

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 21, 2001
8,159
I don't like the fact that Billups only has one year of coaching experience. Obviously, he's been around the league a long time. But, I feel better about some of the other names (not Kidd) that have been discussed.
 

sezwho

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2005
1,951
Isle of Plum
I don't like the fact that Billups only has one year of coaching experience. Obviously, he's been around the league a long time. But, I feel better about some of the other names (not Kidd) that have been discussed.
Agreed.

I'm willing to look past it, as I'm also optimistic he could be what this group (and Franchise) need, but a rookie GM and a rookie HC isn't exactly what I'd want heading into a true watershed year.
 

slamminsammya

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
9,154
San Francisco
How do you square this with 10+ year vet Lillard advocating for Kidd and Kidd not being in the running in Portland? If your theory is right then Jason Kidd is the heavy favorite to be the coach in Boston(Tatum and or Brown have told all parties they want him and the interview is a formality), because the idea he passed up a desirable job for an outside shot at another seems suboptimal if I'm Jason Kidd. If it's Portland who passed on Kidd then that theory clearly has some holes in it.

Edit. Just saw this.

View: https://twitter.com/PeterVecsey1/status/1401650516053172229
Is the Portland job that desirable? Especially if the rumors that Lillard might move are true its not a great situation.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
Is the Portland job that desirable? Especially if the rumors that Lillard might move are true its not a great situation.
Portland is not a very attractive job. Plus side... you have Lillard. Downside... the rest of the roster isn't very good and there's no clear path to making it better.
 

cheech13

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 5, 2006
1,608
Is the Portland job that desirable? Especially if the rumors that Lillard might move are true its not a great situation.
What rumors about Dame? He has been fairly emphatic that he does not want to be traded. That could change quickly but nothing to suggest currently he’d want out.

I think it’s a good job but not great. Ownership is a question mark since Allen died and Olshey is on the hot seat. Expectations are very high but they don’t have a clear path to upgrading the roster to a championship level.
 

slamminsammya

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
9,154
San Francisco
What rumors about Dame? He has been fairly emphatic that he does not want to be traded. That could change quickly but nothing to suggest currently he’d want out.

I think it’s a good job but not great. Ownership is a question mark since Allen died and Olshey is on the hot seat. Expectations are very high but they don’t have a clear path to upgrading the roster to a championship level.
Obviously I consider the wild speculation of possible trades that occurs in the Port Cellar to have a causal impact in the real world. Just look at what happened with Larry Fitzgerald ;)
 

Dduncan6er

New Member
Apr 16, 2020
335
Springfield, MA
I mean... Kidd abused his wife... Chauncey settled a rape charge, they're the two top candidates on the market. The NBA (and all pro-sports) don't care about anything as long as it's long enough ago that they think the headlines aren't going to be bad
I mean this is the same league that worships Kobe Bryant.
 

RetractableRoof

tolerates intolerance
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 1, 2003
3,836
Quincy, MA
I'll say this... there are probably about 50+ people that could be mentioned that I wouldn't blink at for HC of the Cs - mainly because I wouldn't know the strength/reality of their Xs and Os game or any of the other characteristics that a HC needs. The same when Stevens arrived in town, I had no knowledge and generally speaking, over time I saw the respect he held as a person and a coach that made me understand that championship or not the Cs had a quality person in the chair. All that to say: if the Cs put Kidd in that chair, I'm not going to be able to enjoy watching him or the team. I'd feel dirty if they even officially interview him. That is seriously a non-starter to me, especially given that there must be someone in that group of 50+ who meet enough of the criteria, without bringing the same level of off the court distaste he does.

Highest 2 criteria for me: respect of the players (different from being 'the players choice'), and a superstar level player developmental coach. Because I don't think there are a whole lot of front office moves that are going to be easily visible to help the team jump to the next level - I think their best shot at leveling up is the rapid improvement/buy in from the youth on the roster. So someone who can increase the probability of that youth doing so has to be a real high priority. Take a huge chunk of the money Wyc saved getting under the luxury tax and make a godfather offer to whoever around the league is that person with an assistant coach title... it won't even count against the future luxury tax.

Someone upthread also talked about hiring Drew Hanlen in house... I'm not sure if that is possible (or if he would be willing) given his non-Celtic clientele, but sign me up for that as well if there is a scenario where it can happen.
 

luckiestman

Son of the Harpy
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
32,620
How much do Xs and Os really matter, this isn’t the NFL. Most teams are doing the same shit.
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,700
Saint Paul, MN
Portland is not a very attractive job. Plus side... you have Lillard. Downside... the rest of the roster isn't very good and there's no clear path to making it better.
Disagree.
Dame, CJ, Powell, Covington, Nurkic is a sick starting five. If they were all healthy and Powell was there for the full year, that team is likely a top 3 seed
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,207
Disagree.
Dame, CJ, Powell, Covington, Nurkic is a sick starting five. If they were all healthy and Powell was there for the full year, that team is likely a top 3 seed
Portland seems like it would be an attractive alternative to Boston - and some people may perceive it to be better for a variety of reasons. The team is built to win near-term (assuming the roster can be tweaked - and it can but it will cost to do so), the city supports the team but the media coverage doesn't seem as intense as some other markets. You can certainly make the case that Boston with Tatum/Brown is more attractive long-term but the reality is that in two years, both could be playing elsewhere just as Lillard etc could decline over that period.
 

HomeRunBaker

bet squelcher
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
30,096
How much do Xs and Os really matter, this isn’t the NFL. Most teams are doing the same shit.
Exactly. This isn’t college.

I’m glad this isn’t my decision as there really isn’t much, if anything, separating the top candidates. This is a players league and more importantly a superstars league......if JT and JB are wanting Jason Kidd than Jason Kidd it is going to be. Nothing has been said publicly so we don’t know but we have heard the rumblings.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
Disagree.
Dame, CJ, Powell, Covington, Nurkic is a sick starting five. If they were all healthy and Powell was there for the full year, that team is likely a top 3 seed
That starting 5 is pretty decent, but it's not a real contender. And... what are you doing for the other 20 MPG that Nurkic doesn't play or for the games he misses entirely, guy keeps getting hurt?
I mean, I think the Celtics' starting 5 is better on paper, I think the bench situation looks better (shockingly) in BOS, and you have all your picks.
 

Devizier

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 3, 2000
19,470
Somewhere
Disagree.
Dame, CJ, Powell, Covington, Nurkic is a sick starting five. If they were all healthy and Powell was there for the full year, that team is likely a top 3 seed
Yeah, Portland's starters are pretty good, at least offensively. They desperately need a 2-3 good/great defensive players to make up for their deficiencies and there's no clear way to get that, though.
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,700
Saint Paul, MN
I mean, I think the Celtics' starting 5 is better on paper
Is it?

Dame and CJ is a far far better backcourt than a Kemba and Smart/Fournier. Obviously Tatum + Brown is far far better than Covington and Powell, but it has gotta be close to a similar difference to the backcourt. And then of course Nurkic is way better than TT + TL
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
Is it?

Dame and CJ is a far far better backcourt than a Kemba and Smart/Fournier. Obviously Tatum + Brown is far far better than Covington and Powell, but it has gotta be close to a similar difference to the backcourt. And then of course Nurkic is way better than TT + TL
I think to me Lillard is better than Tatum, but Brown is better than CJ, Smart and Kemba are probably a bit better than Powell and Covington (ignoring Kemba's salary) and Nurkic/TL are similar in terms of oft-injured limited minutes high upside guys (honestly I think TL might be better in more matchups). The Celtics also may well have Fournier who I think is better than any of PORs bench guys.
Also... Boston's two best are young and rising, locked up long term, POR's two best are 30+ and more expensive. Add in Nurkic and Covington going in FA.
I would also note... Powell's gonna decline his PO, so he may well not be there.
 

luckiestman

Son of the Harpy
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
32,620
I think to me Lillard is better than Tatum, but Brown is better than CJ, Smart and Kemba are probably a bit better than Powell and Covington (ignoring Kemba's salary) and Nurkic/TL are similar in terms of oft-injured limited minutes high upside guys (honestly I think TL might be better in more matchups). The Celtics also may well have Fournier who I think is better than any of PORs bench guys.
Also... Boston's two best are young and rising, locked up long term, POR's two best are 30+ and more expensive. Add in Nurkic and Covington going in FA.
I would also note... Powell's gonna decline his PO, so he may well not be there.
Dame is better at offense (but maybe not going forward), it’s closer (right now) when you add in D.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
Dame is better at offense (but maybe not going forward), it’s closer (right now) when you add in D.
I agree it's getting closer, though Tatum's D last year was....not great. So it's hard to say whether Tatum's D is regressing as he adds a bigger load on offense.

I still would say BOS is a more attractive roster long term for a coach.
 

reggiecleveland

sublime
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 5, 2004
27,957
Saskatoon Canada
How much do Xs and Os really matter, this isn’t the NFL. Most teams are doing the same shit.
As a hoops guy. Get bent. Biggest difference is nothing is happening most of the time, like 85% of the time so announcers can praise the coaches. It happens faster, and players have t be able to do it without the coach calling every single play. I get rude in gamethreads because teams will run a really well designed play to eliminate a strong defender and get an undesirable switch and after I rewind it six times to figure out the play design, I see the gamethread will say "Stupid (inset player name, usually TT) switched what an idiot?" Whereas in the NFL you would see six replays showing you what genius McDaniel is for getting a linebacker on Edelman. JFK even on stuff I understand like Gronk simply running up the seam against zone, is made to sound like splitting the atom. NFL coaches always get too much credit. How often does a genius NFL coach win in more than one place?

What has impressed me about Tatum, and I compared him to bird, is I see coaches throwing the playbook at him. Big guy, snall guy, wide vaierty of hedges an switches. I sued to see him adjust maybe a few games, and now from play to play. Coach has to a,. teach the player, 2. Design something, (meaning have it ready) to implement. Does it often come down to "KD is just too big to stop" yeah just like it comes down to "Gronk is just too big".
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,447
I don't watch them enough obviously, but is the Powell/Covington/Nurkic trio really that good?
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
I don't watch them enough obviously, but is the Powell/Covington/Nurkic trio really that good?
nope. Powell is a good scorer who doesn't defend much, Covington is a solid 3 and D swing, Nurkic is basically a brawn over bounce lower ceiling higher floor TL. They're all probably individually good enough to be in a playoff team's top 6, but you'd really like Covington and Powell to be at best your 5th guy. Having both in your top 5 isn't great. And Nurkic isn't the 3rd best guy on a contender.
 

128

Member
SoSH Member
May 4, 2019
10,016
I don't watch them enough obviously, but is the Powell/Covington/Nurkic trio really that good?
Covington is really up and down, isn't he? Powell is a big-time offensive talent, but I'm not sure about the rest of his game.
 

HomeRunBaker

bet squelcher
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
30,096
I don't watch them enough obviously, but is the Powell/Covington/Nurkic trio really that good?
I think Covington has been one of the more overrated players in the league the past few years. Nice piece....serves a purpose....but if he’s playing 30+ mpg you should probably be looking to upgrade the position.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
If I could swap Smart/Fournier/TL for those three I certainly would
I definitely would not. To me... TL at his age and contract situation is more desirable than Nurkic in his, Smart over Powell as well by a lot (Smart to me is better, but also Powell is going to be an UFA I assume when he declines his PO this offseason). Covington over Fournier... yeah probably, depends what you need, bench scoring or better bench D.
 

RetractableRoof

tolerates intolerance
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 1, 2003
3,836
Quincy, MA
As a hoops guy. Get bent. Biggest difference is nothing is happening most of the time, like 85% of the time so announcers can praise the coaches. It happens faster, and players have t be able to do it without the coach calling every single play. I get rude in gamethreads because teams will run a really well designed play to eliminate a strong defender and get an undesirable switch and after I rewind it six times to figure out the play design, I see the gamethread will say "Stupid (inset player name, usually TT) switched what an idiot?" Whereas in the NFL you would see six replays showing you what genius McDaniel is for getting a linebacker on Edelman. JFK even on stuff I understand like Gronk simply running up the seam against zone, is made to sound like splitting the atom. NFL coaches always get too much credit. How often does a genius NFL coach win in more than one place?

What has impressed me about Tatum, and I compared him to bird, is I see coaches throwing the playbook at him. Big guy, snall guy, wide vaierty of hedges an switches. I sued to see him adjust maybe a few games, and now from play to play. Coach has to a,. teach the player, 2. Design something, (meaning have it ready) to implement. Does it often come down to "KD is just too big to stop" yeah just like it comes down to "Gronk is just too big".
lmao, I was going to reply to that sentiment (by a few folks) and said to myself... neah reggie will respond much better than I can :)
 

Jimbodandy

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2006
11,405
around the way
I agree it's getting closer, though Tatum's D last year was....not great. So it's hard to say whether Tatum's D is regressing as he adds a bigger load on offense.

I still would say BOS is a more attractive roster long term for a coach.
It's hard to say if Tatum's D is regressing because they all did, and the metrics are light years away from being able to separate Tatum's defense from Brown's and Smart's.

It very well could be because Tatum is shouldering a bigger offensive burden, or that he has lost some interest in that end since he's the dude now. It could also be that he's the exact same guy, but the schemes were executed poorly by basically everyone most of the year, and he's guilty by association.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,447
nope. Powell is a good scorer who doesn't defend much, Covington is a solid 3 and D swing, Nurkic is basically a brawn over bounce lower ceiling higher floor TL. They're all probably individually good enough to be in a playoff team's top 6, but you'd really like Covington and Powell to be at best your 5th guy. Having both in your top 5 isn't great. And Nurkic isn't the 3rd best guy on a contender.
That's exactly my glance-over.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,461
It's hard to say if Tatum's D is regressing because they all did, and the metrics are light years away from being able to separate Tatum's defense from Brown's and Smart's.

It very well could be because Tatum is shouldering a bigger offensive burden, or that he has lost some interest in that end since he's the dude now. It could also be that he's the exact same guy, but the schemes were executed poorly by basically everyone most of the year, and he's guilty by association.
It's possible. To me watching the games he looked like he was not at the same level as last year. Of course, some of that is likely load, some of it is team D regressing, and some of it is likely that post-Covid his conditioning was a mess. I think there's a chance he (and Smart, and Brown) bounce back next year. I do think he was better defending 4s than 3s, and that was part of it too. Much like how Grant can't defend wings, Tatum is better against 4s.
 

Tony C

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 13, 2000
13,694
What rumors about Dame? He has been fairly emphatic that he does not want to be traded. That could change quickly but nothing to suggest currently he’d want out.

I think it’s a good job but not great. Ownership is a question mark since Allen died and Olshey is on the hot seat. Expectations are very high but they don’t have a clear path to upgrading the roster to a championship level.
after their final defeat Dame tweeted the Nipsey Hussle lyric “How long should I stay dedicated? How long til opportunity meet preparation?” That reference was taken by many to say how long can I stay in Portland? For me the more obvious interpretation is to think he was just frustrated in the immediate moment, and saying he wanted Kidd as coach reinforces that. But I guess just to say those rumors have a tiny (tiny!) bit of foundation.

I'm in the camp that the Blazers aren't that far away. If able to trade CJ for a similar level player/contract, but one who offers more complementary skills, that could be one way of taking the next step.
 

Jimbodandy

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2006
11,405
around the way
It's possible. To me watching the games he looked like he was not at the same level as last year. Of course, some of that is likely load, some of it is team D regressing, and some of it is likely that post-Covid his conditioning was a mess. I think there's a chance he (and Smart, and Brown) bounce back next year. I do think he was better defending 4s than 3s, and that was part of it too. Much like how Grant can't defend wings, Tatum is better against 4s.
All great points.

I hadn't noticed the 4s and 3s really, but yes absolutely.
 

mcpickl

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2007
4,546
Simply can't fathom a scenario where Jason Kidd is not only the best person for the job but also the favored choice of Brad Stevens, the rest of the Celtics braintrust, and the players. Makes no sense. Like hiring Bobby Valentine except with less prior coaching success and a history of already being universally hated by everyone in town.
This is where I'm at too.

It would be weird to me if a guy like Brad Stevens who fought his way up from a low level assistant at Butler to the Celtics would hire a famous name who started his coaching career as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

I'd think he'd be looking for a guy like old friend Adrian Griffin. He fought his way into the league as a player, and now has been an assistant in the league for more than a decade under Scott Skiles, Tom Thibodeau(with former Celtics asst Ron Adams), Billy Donovan and now Nick Nurse. He's coached rebuilding teams, he's coached contenders, coached prospects, coached stars.

That would be the kind of guy I'd guess would be more up Stevens alley. Griffin was accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife, that may eliminate him from contention.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,207
This is where I'm at too.

It would be weird to me if a guy like Brad Stevens who fought his way up from a low level assistant at Butler to the Celtics would hire a famous name who started his coaching career as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

I'd think he'd be looking for a guy like old friend Adrian Griffin. He fought his way into the league as a player, and now has been an assistant in the league for more than a decade under Scott Skiles, Tom Thibodeau(with former Celtics asst Ron Adams), Billy Donovan and now Nick Nurse. He's coached rebuilding teams, he's coached contenders, coached prospects, coached stars.

That would be the kind of guy I'd guess would be more up Stevens alley. Griffin was accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife, that may eliminate him from contention.
I agree with everything you say but here is the reality. Brad Stevens is no longer a low level assistant, a scrappy coach or a fresh faced NBA Xs and Os guy. He is president of basketball operations for a $3.2B business and unlike his past, he has to do what he can to keep his biggest assets happy. As HRB states - and to be clear, there is zero sourced info out there that this is even remotely the case - if Tatum etc want Kidd, the Celtics are likely to hire him.

I don't think Jason Kidd is a good NBA coach, I have my doubts about him as a human being but if he is what the stars want, he is what they should get.

One other thing with these star driven hires is that they likely have an even shorter leash than an organization driven hire for obvious reasons. If these people fall down, management is likely to be quick to replace them, especially given the stakes. I can't see the C's sitting at, say, ~.500 into the deadline next year and being happy with their new coach.
 

JakeRae

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
8,125
New York, NY
Disagree.
Dame, CJ, Powell, Covington, Nurkic is a sick starting five. If they were all healthy and Powell was there for the full year, that team is likely a top 3 seed
I don’t see this. Lillard is a borderline top 10 guy and the other 4 are rotation players, with CJ sometimes playing like he’s more than that. None of those guys after Lillard are good enough to be better than the 4th best player on a championship team.

Since this seems to be a comparison with Boston, I’d rank Lillard and Tatum at the same level today, with Tatum getting the nod for the future because he’s getting better every year. After that, it’s kind of a pick your poison situation. Kemba has the recent history of being the next best player by a good margin but there’s a lot of reasons to doubt he can get there. Smart and Covington are pretty similar. Timelord is flashing a level of play that Nurkic cannot dream of but who knows if he can stick at that level or on the court. CJ is a better player than Jaylen but Jaylen is constantly improving and both are badly overrated. Fournier and Powell are pretty similar talents.

I’d put the Celtics clearly a notch above Portland with a much clearer pathway to contention in that they have a lot of young talent that has upside whereas Portland is full of vets that are maxed out as a mid-range playoff team in a good year. We’re also a year away from a similar roster being a legitimate contender.