I’m not sure how I feel about this coaching decision, I understand the Celtics are in a rebuilding phase and someone has to fill the huge void left behind by the departure of Doc Rivers, unfortunately I don’t believe Brad Stevens is the best fit for the job. The expectations to win should be considerably low but what interest me most is how Rajon Rondo will react to an entirely new coaching philosophy and system. Rondo has a reputation of being a stubborn player so how will Brad Stevens manage Rondo’s personality and rebellious attitude on the court?
Brad Stevens is coming into the league like a freshman on the first day of high school while Rondo can be seen as a senior with a state championship under his belt, so I expect the respect level to be considerably low coming from Rondo. Look at it this way, if Rondo displayed issues with a proven coach in Doc Rivers what makes you think he will be any less of a problem child for coach Stevens?
This coaching decision spells disaster, the Celtics are going to begin the first half of the season loosing games in bunches and Rondo is either going to start ignoring the coach and call his own offensive plays or he’s going to demand a trade. This is a train-wreck waiting to happen, the Celtics should have hired a veteran coach with a track record of successful winning seasons or at the very least tried their luck at one of the many qualified assistant coaches in the league.
My point is this, Rajon Rondo is accustomed to winning and if Brad Stevens fails to figure out how to get the most out of the rest of the Celtics line-up (primarily Jeff Green) I honestly believe Rondo will look to take his talents to a winning organization. The Lakers and the Pacers could really use a guard with Rondo’s ability to penetrate, assists, and involve other players in the game. I can’t envision the relationship between Rondo and Steven’s extending beyond 2 losing seasons, however I will continue to keep my eye on the success of the Boston Celtics. I think the Celts have enough talent on their roster to clinch the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference but their success rest on the shoulders of Rajon Rondo not Brad Stevens.
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3 Comments
Coach Mike Fabber
July 8, 2013 at 12:34 pmIf they are trying to make this a quick rebuild, than J.R. is right. They are good enough for the 7th or 8th seed in the east but that is the problem. They need to trade Rondo, known to be a hard head at points, and go get a Larkin or someone to grow with the coach and the bebuilding Celtics. I do not get the first moves if there is not another one. If they do not get a chance at the lottery or even a 25% chance for that pick this was all for nothing. No longer is it beginning of the end for a proud franchise but also a new coach and a GM.
J.R. Williams
July 3, 2013 at 11:31 pmThe Celtics absolutely have the talent to be the 8th seed, the Milwaukee Bucks have traded away some key players and their team doesn’t have the pieces in place to make the playoffs again next season. Keep in mind the Bucks only won 38 games last season and the Celtics made the playoffs without a true point guard. The Celts have a very athletic and formidable front court with Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, and Jeff Green. I absolutely think the Celts have the right talent to make the 8th seed but I didn’t say they would make it.
Tim Stephenson
July 3, 2013 at 11:04 pmAs a Celtics fan, I voted yes. I think they can co-exist. But it’s ALL on Rondo, and whether or not he wants to mature as the future leader of this organization on the court. If it doesn’t work, I am immediately putting it at Rondo’s feet. As you said, he is the one with the reputation, fair or unfair, of being a problem child.
If Rondo doesn’t want to buy into whatever system Stevens decides to put in place, there’s the door. We can’t have a player like that as a leader of what will now be a young team. I’m not entirely sure that Rondo won’t be the last shoe to drop in this full on blow up of the Celtics. I disagree that they have the talent to finish 8th in the east as well. A 7th place this year with the “old” roster in place, and Doc Rivers, remove him, KG and Pierce, throw a rookie NCAA coach in there and your only other bona fide star is coming off an ACL injury = High lottery pick. I think they’re going to have major issues scoring.
I’m okay with that as well, if you’re going to blow it up, do it all the way, and build it back from the ground up!
Like the Stevens hire overall!