How NBA GMs’ Opinions Of Brad Stevens Changed Ahead Of 2019-20 Season

https://nesn.com/2019/10/how-nba-gms-opinions-of-brad-stevens-change-ahead-of-2019-20-season/




How NBA GMs’ Opinions Of Brad Stevens Changed Ahead Of 2019-20 Season



by Marcus Kwesi O'Mard

on Thu, Oct 17, 2019 at 6:02PM



It’s safe to say the 2018-19 NBA season hurt Brad Stevens’ reputation.

The Boston Celtics head coach received zero votes from NBA general managers, whom NBA.com asked “who is the best head coach in the NBA?” While San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich won the poll overwhelmingly, Stevens’ omission represents a dramatic fall from grace, given that he finished first last season in the corresponding question with 47 percent of the votes.

Here are the poll results for the “best coach” question (via NBA.com):
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 55 percent
2. Erik Spoelstra, Miami — 17 percent
3. Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee — 10 percent
4. Steve Kerr, Golden State — 7 percent
Also receiving votes: Steve Clifford, Orlando; Doc Rivers, LA Clippers; Quin Snyder, Utah

Stevens oversaw one of the most disappointing Celtics seasons in recent memory in 2018-19, as the team started the campaign seemingly destined to compete for Eastern Conference supremacy but ultimately finished with a 49-33 record before exiting the NBA playoffs in the second round.

The results of another question on the survey — Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments — also reveals something about the changing perceptions of Stevens among NBA GMs. He finished in second place in this season’s poll with 17 percent of the votes, but that’s another blemish, as he was first last season with 53 percent of the votes.

Here are the poll results for the “best in-game adjustments” question (via NBA.com):

1. Rick Carlisle, Dallas — 28 percent
2. Brad Stevens, Boston — 17 percent
3. Quin Snyder, Utah — 14 percent
4. Steve Clifford, Orlando — 10 percent Gregg Popovich, San Antonio — 10 percent
6. Nick Nurse, Toronto — 7 percent
Also receiving votes: Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee; Michael Malone, Denver; Doc Rivers, LA Clippers; Erik Spoelstra, Miami

A host of Celtics players intend on enjoying bounce-back seasons. Judging by results of the NBA GMs’ survey, Stevens might have similar motivations as he hopes to re-establish himself among the elite members of his peer group.



bob
MY NOTE: Not surprising. Expectations were high and we didn't meet them. Every one of these GMs think they can win with Kyrie Irving, even Danny believed that. GMs see their jobs as putting the best talent they can get on the team and then it's on the coach to win with it but it's not that simple, especially with a let's-just-call-it 'mercurial' personality like Kyrie. Nevertheless, this could make some good bulletin board material to motivate Brad this year.



.

Brad sure didn't adjust well to the Bucks in the playoffs.

KJ

He deserves both of those.

db

Brad Stevens made his bones by taking teams with less talent to higher levels.

Last year he had the most talent ever in his entire coaching career and he bombed.

It was not all of his fault though.  

He has yet to figure out that the NBA is about stars.  You use your top 2-3 guys at a maximum level and you make sure they are the ones who are getting the most scoring opportunities.

If you expect a guy like Tatum or Brown to become 20+ PPG players you need to play them 34-36 MPG.

Brad Stevens in many respects has stunted their growth by limiting their playing time.   Last year's roster was filled with too many guys that deserved 30 MPG.  This year the roster is younger and less experienced so he just needs to open up more minutes for our two young studs.  

The main reason why the Celtics took the Cavs to 7 games in the 2018 playoff run was because Tatum and Brown played 35.9 and 32.4 MPG respectively.