Brad Stevens has been a huge proponent of coaches, assistants, and executives needing companionship in the NBA bubble, just like the rest of his Boston Celtics players have had after the first round of the playoffs.

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was by far the most outspoken about the matter, who raised awareness to the “criminal” nature of letting non-players out to dry without their loved ones. Now that the NBA has instituted a 10-guests-per-team allowance after the second round for staff members, Stevens shed a little bit of light in his involvement, though saving the best for private ears:

“I’ve been involved in those conversations since May,” said Brad Stevens, according to John Karalis of MassLive. “We just found out this morning we have 10 spots. So, I’ll share my own thoughts privately with the NBA and that’s all I’ll have to say about it.”

Brad Stevens knows coaches have been upset about this. Earlier this month, Malone was irate at the situation, going on an impromptu rant during a media availability:

“This is day No. 60, and the reason I bring that up is because the players have their families here, which they deserve. It’s the right thing to do,” Malone said then. “The referees are allowed to bring one guest, which is great for the referees. The coaches are not allowed to bring anybody. I say shame on you, NBA. This is crazy. I miss my family, and I think I speak for me, I speak for my coaches and probably all the coaches down here. Sixty days and not having access and not being granted the privilege to have my family come here, to me, is criminal in nature and that shouldn’t be at all, so I wanted to get that off my chest.”

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Brad Stevens heard this message loud and clear and talked to the NBA about it. Players had complained about waiting until the first round was over to see some of their loved ones. Stevens and the other coaches are being left with no companionship for even longer than that, but it's good to see the NBA has reversed course on this decision.

The Celtics only need one more win to help Brad Stevens see his family in person again, but Malone and Nuggets staff members are in a different position, down 2-1 to the Los Angeles Clippers and needing a longer wait if they hope to see their loved ones in the bubble.