In Brad Stevens’ first year with the Boston Celtics in the 2013-14 season his team won only 25 games, as they finished fourth in the Atlantic Division.
Four years removed from that forgettable season, the 41-year-old head coach has more than doubled his wins after a very impressive 55-win season this year, which was good enough to secure the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
The odds were stacked against Stevens and his Celtics just minutes into their first game of the year after losing off-season acquisition Gordon Hayward to a gruesome foot injury. Yet, Boston outperformed expectations and finished the year as one of the favorites to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
The team was dealt another big blow just weeks before the start of the Playoffs when they learned that All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving was expected to miss the entire post-season. The Celtics quickly regrouped and went on to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and then disposing of the highly-favored Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
It has definitely been an impressive year for the team from Massachusetts, but Stevens is not one to rest on his laurels. In an interview with the Associated Press for NBC Sports, the former Butler University head coach stated that he finds it imperative to constantly remain on his toes:
“I don’t think that I would ever define anybody in the coaching or playing shoes probably as comfortable,” he said. “You’re just focused on what’s next. But it is basketball. There’s only so much you can do.”
Stevens is a top caliber coach and will be a force for years to come. However, right now he is just focusing on what’s next. Rightfully so, as what’s next is going to be LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers.
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