Was Brad Stevens a good coach?

Brad Stevens is one of the most successful basketball coaches in the NBA today. He coached the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017 and 2018, and is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the league. But was he a good coach? In this article, we’ll look at the evidence to determine whether Brad Stevens was a good coach.

Analyzing Brad Stevens’ Record

To evaluate whether Stevens was a good coach, it’s important to look at his record. In six seasons with the Celtics, Stevens had a regular-season record of 302-224, good for a .574 winning percentage. He also led the Celtics to the playoffs in all six seasons, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017 and 2018.

Brad Stevens’ Coaching Style

Stevens’ coaching style was unique and effective. He was known for his strategic and analytical approach to the game, and he was able to make effective adjustments during games. He also had a willingness to experiment with new strategies, which allowed him to stay ahead of his opponents.

Brad Stevens’ Player Development

One of the hallmarks of Stevens’ tenure with the Celtics was his ability to develop young players. He was able to take players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart and help them reach their full potential. He also managed to get the most out of veterans like Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, and Kyrie Irving.

Brad Stevens’ Culture

Stevens was also praised for his ability to create a winning culture. He was known for his positive attitude and his ability to keep his team focused on the task at hand. He was also a players’ coach, meaning that he was able to get the best out of his players while also earning their respect.

Brad Stevens’ Impact on Boston Celtics

Under Stevens’ leadership, the Celtics went from being a middling team to one of the best in the NBA. They won an average of 48 games between 2013-2018 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017 and 2018. He was also able to bring the Celtics to the brink of winning an NBA championship, something they hadn’t done since 2008.

How Stevens Compares to Other Coaches

When compared to other coaches in the NBA, Stevens stacks up favorably. He has a better career winning percentage than coaches like Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, and Mike D’Antoni. He has also been to the playoffs more times than those coaches, and he has made it to the Eastern Conference Finals more times than any of them.

Criticisms of Brad Stevens

Despite his success, there were some criticisms of Stevens as a coach. One of the biggest criticisms was that he was too conservative with his lineup decisions. He was also criticized for not making the right in-game adjustments, especially in the playoffs.

Conclusion

Overall, Brad Stevens was an excellent coach. He had a successful regular season record, he was able to develop young players, and he was able to elevate the Celtics to one of the top teams in the NBA. He was also able to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals twice, something that many coaches have been unable to do. While there were some criticisms of him, his overall body of work speaks for itself. Brad Stevens was an excellent coach and he will be remembered fondly in Boston for years to come.

FAQ

Was Brad Stevens a good coach?

Yes, Brad Stevens was an excellent coach. He had a successful regular season record, he was able to develop young players, and he was able to elevate the Celtics to one of the top teams in the NBA. He was also able to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals twice, something that many coaches have been unable to do.