The NBA coaching fraternity is a fairly tight knit group and rarely do they speak out against one another or, really, ever question each other. That said, it’s understandable how some jealousy could happen when the media fawns over one coach and maybe doesn’t provide the same kind of love to others.
Coaches are often quick to be blamed for losses and poor play, with rotation decisions being under constant scrutiny. So, when they’re doing well they would like to get some love from the media who can play a role in shaping the perception of how good (or bad) a coach they are.
Few coaches in the NBA right now are more universally regarded as one of the best right now than Brad Stevens in Boston. He’s steadily improved the Celtics since he arrived and his ability to seemingly get the most out of everyone on the roster is something that’s been on display this season while most all of his stars have battled various injuries. That said, Stevens has yet to see much significant postseason success with the Celtics and some coaches aren’t thrilled that he’s already being placed on a proverbial pedestal.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz, one anonymous NBA coach reached out to him to try and understand why Stevens is so beloved by the media and placed in such high regard. Arnovitz explained on a recent episode of The Lowe Post with Zach Lowe that while the coach said everyone respects Stevens, there is a bit of curiosity among other coaches as to how he’s already found himself among the elite and borderline unassailable for so many.
“I want you to know how much I respect Brad Stevens. There is a collective appreciation for Brad,” Arnovitz explains the coach started. “But he was like I have to ask you a question. There are a lot of guys in our league doing a lot with limitations and everything. How did Brad get on the Mt. Rushmore of NBA coaches? Like, we all appreciate him, but when you listen to analysts or you guys on The Jump or you listen to like even a lot suits in the league, and yes the Celtics command a great deal of respect and are always in the center of the conversation. But he’s like, we all respect Brad, but — and this was about Coach of the Year — and he was like, look, he’s done nicely, but last year you could argue he got outcoached by Fred Hoiberg, coached by (Scott Brooks to a draw, and then the LeBron freight train or whatever.
“Yes, he started, they had to rebuild that process and he built a culture, and yes, it’s been nice. But OK, each year they add — Oh, hey, here’s the best playmaking two-way big man in the league in Al Horford. Oh, here’s a steady stream of top-three picks. Oh, guess what we have for you this year? Hayward went down? It’s OK, because you have the best shot-making point guard in the league. … I thought the coach was interesting. He did with respect and it wasn’t a rant, but he was just like — my language not his — you’ve got the hagiography, deification of the holy Brad Stevens, can we just wait for a second? Can he just win more than one conference finals game? He’s got a lot of talent. He’s done well. We all respect him. We all steal from him, and everybody steals from everybody. Can you guys just cool it? You listen to the intelligentsia in the league, it’s just like, you have to understand for the rest of us it’s just like, OK.”
Stevens has been fantastic, but the frustration here is somewhat understandable for someone in a profession that is so often thankless but sees a peer being lavished in praise when others that have done similar jobs to similar levels of success have not received the same. Arnovitz says he explained part of it is Stevens’ demeanor and how calm he looks on the sidelines in big moments and seemingly always seems to deliver when it comes to rotations and play calls.
For me, I think much of it is that in the case of the Celtics this year and last year, it’s been more obvious to the average fan or even average media member where his coaching comes into play. When a team so clearly gets “the most” out of guys, that’s easily attributed to coaching. When role players and young players develop and step into bigger roles without missing a beat, that’s coaching. On the Celtics, these things have been unmistakable because of the roster and because of the injuries they’ve dealt with. Couple that with the spotlight he gets in Boston and, right now without Kyrie Irving there not being a superstar that’s been the one to step up in the injury void (a la Anthony Davis in New Orleans, even if that’s been a phenomenal coaching job by Alvin Gentry as well), it’s easy to point to Stevens as the reason.
(h/t NESN)
