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| FROM BUTLER TO BOSTON Stevens (right) humbled by the opportunity |
SOMEHOW, YOU HAVE TO TAKE this with a grain of hope.
When Doc Rivers decided to take his talents in the Bay Area with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month, much of the Celtics fan base was left with no real answers and options as to the future of the storied franchise, especially now that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are on their way to the Brooklyn Nets in a mega-trade following a domino effect of Rivers' departure from Boston. And the once formidable Ubuntu that was the staple of that championship run in 2008 had now come to a close, with Rajon Rondo as the sole piece left of that magical run.
Rivers' departure, without a doubt, signaled the end of an era. In the end, Doc somehow was unsure about going on board a rebuilding process in Boston, after what seemed to be a promising start by signing a multi-million contract extension with the Celtics a couple of years back.
But after being eliminated by the Knicks in a first-round series in last year's playoffs, Rivers intimated a step back from where he was, taking some time off, before deciding what to do next. Perhaps his decision then, as was perceived, could either make or unmake the Celtics moving forward. And true to its desired effect, his decision to coach the Clippers next season triggered, almost immediately, an avalanche of changes for the men in green.
Days passed, however, and the Celtics were without a clear replacement of their departed coach, with VP of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge, assuring everyone that the team is not yet in a hurry of finding the main man at the sidelines.
Meanwhile, the Celtics were doing a fine job on draft night by picking up some promising bigs in Kelly Olynyk (Gonzaga, 13th) and Colton Iverson (Colorado State, 53rd), while sending veterans Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the Nets in exchange for Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans and Gerald Wallace among others, along with a bunch of future 1st round draft picks all the way through to the 2017 draft. Such a bold move, signaling just about everyone that after 6 straight playoff appearances since the formation of the Big 3, the Cs are now in a rebuild.
But not without the announcement of a new coach for a rebuilding team. A few established coaches in the NBA, notwithstanding, had been mentioned as a suitable replacement for Rivers. Former Celtic Brian Shaw was mentioned more than once before taking the helm with the Nuggets following the departure of George Karl in Denver. Lionel Hollins was on board, too, after making a serious run with the Memphis Grizzlies in last year's playoffs. But Ainge remained patient (suggestive at times), and eyeing the coaching horizon as if the list is long and winding, announcing eventually what seemed to be an unlikely replacement to Rivers' basketball resumé and coaching pedigree.
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| DEAL WITH IT Rondo is one of Stevens' top priorities this season |
But this has to sink in, really (even to those who knew him well): Brad Stevens is now the coach of the Boston Celtics. And it sounds achingly surreal.
Even to Stevens, himself, after being asked about his reaction the moment Ainge called him about the possibility of coaching the Celtics, finds it unbelievable to be given an opportunity to coach the most decorated ball club in the history of the league. He even said "Wow" following his initial talks with the Celtics, and after the staff visited him in Indianapolis days after the Rivers deal took place.
"I'm absolutely humbled to be sitting in this room, looking around at the banners. I'm in awe of the Boston Celtics and the Boston Celtic organization. I couldn't be more thrilled for the opportunity," he said when he was introduced as the new coach of the Celtics.
At 36, Stevens is one of the youngest coaches in the NBA right now, not to mention a few months younger than Kevin Garnett (5 months to be exact). But Stevens' lack of big-time basketball is a lot more deceiving than what he actually brings on the table. In his 6-year run at Butler, manning the Xs and Os of the Bulldogs, Stevens established himself as a premier go-getter with a 166-49 (win/loss) record, a feat culminating in two dramatic successive finals appearances, and a host of accolades, Mike Krzyzewski and Barry Collier, to name a few, with some high regard to his calm, cool and calculating coaching style.
The only thing that's keeping Stevens at bay, though. is the precedence that a lot of college coaches over the years have made the transition from the college ranks to the far-reaching regions of the NBA, and flopped after a few unsuccessful tries. Foremost of which is Rick Pitino, who was an accomplished NCAA coach prior to his stint with the Celtics in the late 90s, but somehow suffered a regrettable time with the franchise as the Cs finished the season at some point dwelling on the edge of the standings.
We know Stevens' lack of NBA grind could spell some losing streaks during the course of the season. It remains to be seen how Stevens would react to a losing end, him being accustomed to winning in Butler. But the circumstances surrounding Pitino at that time was entirely different from that of Stevens', and perhaps Ainge, too. In that many times during the course of this hiring, coupled with the confidence of Ainge towards his new find, that Stevens will have the backing of the organization at all times, understanding perhaps that this is just a phase he, Stevens, and the rest of the team will have to go through. And since Stevens himself said about being a "process guy", his entry into the Cs might be a necessary move, after all, now that they are deconstructing everything in the team, including their prized point guard.
Many speculate that the hiring of Stevens will usher in a trade for Rondo, or may have been a move that would eventually initiate a lot of opportunities for Rondo outside of the Celtics. But in a surprising admission during his introduction a few days ago, Stevens has had his conversation with Rondo already, and it turned out to be great. He said that he believes in establishing a relationship, and forging a strong bond with Rondo would be one of his major priorities for Boston, alongside his eagerness to learn from the mercurial point guard.
It would be interesting to see if the feeling is mutual with Rondo, who is still relatively silent about the hiring of Stevens as his new coach. Rondo is recuperating from an ACL tear he suffered midway through the regular season and is expected to return sometime later this year.
But this is definitely a good move for the Celtics. Going young but not necessarily mediocre. Although it would be quite emotional to part ways with Garnett and Pierce, two warriors who had given all for the team: blood, sweat, and tears. It would have been ideal to see them retire in green, particularly Pierce, who had been the face of the franchise since 1998. Shipping him and Garnett to the Nets, however, gives them a chance to retire as champions, provided they storm past the defending champion Heat. It would be quite hard to see them wearing black in the Garden anytime soon, but they will be remembered for what they have done not too long ago when they helped raise that banner for that unprecedented 17th championship.
And as for the "New Kid" in Beantown, the Celtics will again enter a phase for a new breed of warriors, a new brass of Celtic Pride, and perhaps a new hope for that Banner 18, led this time by an equally new and proud coach in Brad Stevens.
They may win some and lose some in the process, but with a barrage of fresh legs, a possibly a renewed Rajon Rondo, and the assurance that the Celtics management (and mystic) will be with him the rest of the way, Brad Stevens will be an NBA coach for a very long time.
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| GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN End of an era for the Celtics (Pierce, Rivers, and Garnett) |
(photo: connecticut.cbslocal.com, nydailynews.com, bleacherreport.com)
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