Inside the Mind of Bradley Stevens

Yesterday, Celtics head coach Bradley Stevens sat down with the Green Street podcast for a very insightful conversation on his mindset and tactics. Here are some of the most interesting takeaways from the interview.

Being in the Moment:

“My goal is to win the next game one possession at a time. That’s it. I don’t have any other goals. I’ve never been a goal guy. I didn’t have a goal at Butler. Our goals were always to get better every day and win the next game one possession at a time, and that was it. And so that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Thoughts on Avery Bradley:

“Obviously, he’s a dynamic athlete. He’s a really hard worker. He’s been in Boston the better part of the time that I have been as well, so I’ve gotten a chance to spend some time with him. I like his demeanor, I like his work ethic. He’s a good young player with a high upside.”

Very Impressed with Rookie Kelly Olynyk:

“I thought that Olynyk played as well as anybody that I saw throughout all of the summer leagues, and he’s a very versatile player who knows how to think the game and knows how to communicate the game, and I think he’ll be a quick study. And I think it will be important that he is. I think that we could really use the things that he brings to the table sooner rather than later. …

“He can dribble, pass and shoot at 7 feet. That’s a very vague description of him, but he can just do so many things. He can put the ball on the floor, pass with either hand, he can feed the post, he can shoot it, he can run in and shoot it, he can space and shoot it, he’s got all kinds of opportunities to affect the game. There aren’t many guys who are that size who are that multidimensional.”

Being a "Player's Coach":

That I think refers to somebody who is not only willing to get the input, but really evaluate the input of the people that are on their roster, and I do feel that way. I do feel that way. I want them to feel really good about where they are and that they are putting their signature on their work every single day.”

Good Guy Jeff (Green):

“I think he’s a really talented guy. I think he’s a really good person. I’ve gotten a chance to know him a little bit. I’ve sat down with him at some games in Orlando, I’ve talked on the phone, texted with him and have heard nothing but great things from the people who have been around him throughout his career, so I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Butler's "Ubuntu"-like Focus:

“Any organization, any business that you’re in, if you don’t have consistency among what your goals are or common goals or common aspirations, and you can’t get collective buy-in, then you’re just not going to be successful. So, I think that’s No. 1.

“I think that’s what gave us a chance. It was that everyone was in it together, and even though there were a lot of people with their own individual desires, they were able to put those aside for the betterment of one, and that’s hard. That’s a hard thing to do, and it doesn’t always happen in October, November or December or January, but by March it was always that way there.

“And I think that’s something that we’ll strive towards, and these guys have already shown that, and I think at the end of the day that’s the thing about the Celtics that really stands out. There’s a pride about the players of the past, about the teams of the past and obviously there’s a success that speaks for itself, but there’s a way that they went about their business and the way that they cared about one another that I think is unique.”

Paying No Heed to Tanking:

“I never spend a minute thinking about it. It’s never been part of my vocabulary. It’s never been a part of the players in this locker room’s vocabulary or anybody in this building. I think it’s one of those things that we are going to try to be the very best we can be every single day. It’s part of the process. It’s part of the way that I believe in doing things. You strive to play to your standard every single day.”

Connection with Rondo:

“It’s been great. I think Rajon would echo this: We’ve only gotten a chance to meet once in person and talk over the phone or text a few times, so it’s not like we know each other really well, but I do think that there’s a lot of shared characteristics, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Rondo's and Sullinger's Recoveries:

“Both those guys are continuing to work and to work hard. Rondo’s actually not in town. Jared is in town, so I see Jared pretty much on a daily basis. I have not seen Rajon since I went to his camp, but every report I get from both of them is that they’re really moving in the right direction.”

Nearly Working at Applebee's:

“I was going to work at an Applebee’s literally the day I got hired full-time at Butler, so I decided I didn’t need to do that anymore.”


What do you think of Stevens' comments, and his potential as the Celtics coach? Sound off in the comments below!


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