Washburn: Coaching Staff Felt Helpless to Solve Locker Room Issues

[jcappy]

The two great coaches who come to mind who did not play pro ball are Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich. I much prefer this set-up. I think it works out better all the way around if a professional coach takes charge of a professional player. this coach has a better perspective on all aspects of the game and the team than does an ex-star. Of course, a guy whose played 1-3 years say in the league may also develop this head coach competence.

I also like players who understand this and act accordingly--as a pro player accepting a pro coach.

[K For Three]

Read on Twitter

I would agree which is why the lakers hiring Kidd as an assistant if Kyrie goes there is a good move, Kyrie loves Kidd. Kyrie won’t listen to you unless you already earned his respect.

[threrf23]

Just a reminder: Thibs remains the most underrated move of our heralded '07 offseason. He is currently jobless.

I remember saying after last season, almost overnight it went from feeling like '08, to '02-03 with Tatum playing PP as a promising young'un surrounded by a bunch of teammates who didn't really deserve him.

Well maybe last year was '02-03, just a better version of it. This time around, we swung out on Kyrie as opposed to Telfair. We are still in good shape, with Tatum, Hayward, draft picks, mild assets, and cap space next offseason if we play things right. The next '07 is coming up soon enough.

[Kalela]

Micah Shrewsberry was the best coach among the assistants Stevens assembled. It would have been better if one of the others left instead.

Stevens was inconsistent in holding players responsible. For example, Jaylen was constantly given a quick hook while guys like Kyrie and the Marcuses could seemingly do no wrong and they actually went after Jaylen during games and weren’t held accountable. That is a recipe for problems. I’m surprised Brown hasn’t asked for a trade tbh.

It was weird how Brown was not allowed to make mistake but everyone else could do anything they wished. Brown also rarely played in the 4th quarter during the regular season. Strangely I think it helped him and he played better than most players on the team in the playoffs. If that was done to Tatum and Rozier they have performed differently in the playoffs. Who knows. Maybe they are just cowards.

[return2glory]

This is what I’ve been saying for the last 3-4 months. This team didn’t like each other and didn’t get along.

On the last West coach trip I go confirmation that the players were still not getting along. I started a thread about how my friend was in the room with 2 Celtic players and one was pissed at all the Celtic players didn’t show up to an event thrown by one Celtic player.

It’s wasn’t at a club. I still can’t say who the player was that threw the event nor name the Celtic player (only player that showed up other than the one that threw “the event”) was going off on his teammates for not showing up.

There was a lot of friction there. I said to fans here, don’t believe the plane trip about how everything was squashed. But I got **** for it from a lot of people here. Some said I wanted attention. Like seriously. **** attention. I was sharing first hand info and people didn’t believe me or brushed it off.

Fans here said chemistry didn’t matter. They said not liking each other on a team didn’t matter. They were saying wait until the playoffs, talking like Kyrie.

I knew too much too believe in this team. I even skipped watching a playoff game, which I hadn’t done in like 20 years.

I’m glad these reports are coming out again. Everyone knew there were chemistry issues all season but a lot of fans here ignored those signs or believed it didn’t matter.

There was a reason why the team was the most disappointing team this year. There was a reason some fans, including myself were turned off by this team. The team didn’t get a **** about winning or getting along. Why should we? They are the ones getting paid, win or lose.

[SuperDeluxe]

Coaching staff definitely needs some changes, gotta fill Shrewsberry's position with someone the players will respect. Enough of this "police yourself" attitude, that clearly doesn't work.

It did seem to work for the first five years. Something happened this season that changed things.

[return2glory]

And this isn’t the first time I heard that Walter’s presence was really missed in the locker room and off the court. Brad lost control and respect of this team months ago.

If Ainge stays on, he needs to hire a former NBA player as an assistant coach. Walter’s influence wasn’t ever replaced.

Brad gets a pass because Danny nor the owners stepped in to help with player issues.

Irving was a big part of chemistry issues. A big part. I would be surprised if the Celtic’s even want him back. I know I don’t. And I’m glad even Scal got in Irving a few days ago.

[Curmudgeon]

Coaching staff definitely needs some changes, gotta fill Shrewsberry's position with someone the players will respect. Enough of this "police yourself" attitude, that clearly doesn't work.

It did seem to work for the first five years. Something happened this season that changed things.

I'll give you three guesses.

[SuperDeluxe]

Coaching staff definitely needs some changes, gotta fill Shrewsberry's position with someone the players will respect. Enough of this "police yourself" attitude, that clearly doesn't work.

It did seem to work for the first five years. Something happened this season that changed things.

I'll give you three guesses.

What happened was not the point of my post. But hey, if that made you feel smarter, then I'm happy for you.

[Taget]

It was a no win situation. Stevens had a roster of player he almost had to play. Would benching Hayward really have been option? Or Jaylen for that matter? Would he even have a job if he had done either or even both. Just picture last season and imagine what it would have been like if we had kept Jae Crowder and he was still in that rotation.

We laughed off the "too much talent" criticism and when the exact scenario they predicted actually happened. Jaylen to his credit took the step back and realized being a really good role player on this type of team is a good thing.

That's not to say I don't fault Brad as well. His previous teams were very big on role players. Having multiple stars or players who THINK they are (or should be) stars is for better or worse more common in the NBA. Either way you need to get players to buy in. And when they don't Danny has to lay down the hammer.

[Ed Pinkney]

Coaching staff definitely needs some changes, gotta fill Shrewsberry's position with someone the players will respect. Enough of this "police yourself" attitude, that clearly doesn't work.

It did seem to work for the first five years. Something happened this season that changed things.

Agreed. I guess this season showed that being a “players coach” can be a two edged sword. They definitely should try and get a Ron Adams type back in and also a Waltah type replacement.

Posey or Perkins would definitely be good choices, someone with both Celtic and championship experience.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Might sound crazy, but I'd hire Rod Strickland as an assistant. Godfathers don't mess around and will tell you straight up when you're f***** up.

[SuperDeluxe]

I'm afraid that fixing this mess may require more than just hiring an assistant coach that the players respect. And this is regardless of Irving staying or going.

[31to6]

It’s the part about Danny/management that is something of a disappointing surprise to me — my hope/assumption has been that Danny actually has really good cred and rapport with the players..

[Zeroforwinger]

It was obvious Brad never took command of the team. Dude was preaching ball movement all year and those guys almost never cared. Everyone was looking to get theirs.

It was interesting that Brad basically got drowned out this year. I’d like to see him be a little more forceful at times. It should be no problem to talk to the Jays and tell them Hayward is an All Star who has earned his place in the NBA. He’ll get every chance to play his way back into shape.

Definitely seems like an obvious need. It would just be glorious if Rasheed decides he wants to get into coaching.

[sarcasma]

Stevens was inconsistent in holding players responsible. For example, Jaylen was constantly given a quick hook while guys like Kyrie and the Marcuses could seemingly do no wrong and they actually went after Jaylen during games and weren’t held accountable. That is a recipe for problems. I’m surprised Brown hasn’t asked for a trade tbh.

I said all year long Brad has no balls when it comes to disciplining certain players. Its so true, he will yank Jaylen Brown or tatum for the smallest mistake, but Smart, Morris, Rozier, Irving, etc could do no wrong. He knows Smart and Morris would give him attitude, Brown/Tatum wont.

I truly woud ask for a trade if I was Brown.

Do you think POP or Carlisle would play Rozier or let Smart shoot 7 3's?

On Celtics reddit, Marcus Smart is god over there, on Real Gm, you guys seem to GET IT. I dont know why that is.

[Joshyjess]

I wonder how Morris is to coach. From a fan's point of view, he looks like he has a bad attitude, but watching him in the final game against the Bucks, he and Smart looked like the only ones who actually were listening to Stevens.
I think being from a college BBall coaching background, Stevens is used to having the younger kids more willing to listen to him. I doubt he had to deal with too many egos like he did this year. I've a feeling this year was quite the eye-opener for him. He needs someone to not only help him get the egos under control, but who can actually teach him how to do it himself. His nice guy image might need a bit of roughing up.

[LuckyLeprechaun]

Frankly this stuff reflects far worse on our players than it does on our coach. It makes then sounds so juvenile. Guys need to grow the **** up. Brad shouldn't need to police a bunch of adult men. If they are so immature that they need to be policed, trade them and get them off this team already.

[Triple7]

Stevens was inconsistent in holding players responsible. For example, Jaylen was constantly given a quick hook while guys like Kyrie and the Marcuses could seemingly do no wrong and they actually went after Jaylen during games and weren’t held accountable. That is a recipe for problems. I’m surprised Brown hasn’t asked for a trade tbh.

I said all year long Brad has no balls when it comes to disciplining certain players. Its so true, he will yank Jaylen Brown or tatum for the smallest mistake, but Smart, Morris, Rozier, Irving, etc could do no wrong. He knows Smart and Morris would give him attitude, Brown/Tatum wont.

I truly woud ask for a trade if I was Brown.

Do you think POP or Carlisle would play Rozier or let Smart shoot 7 3's?

On Celtics reddit, Marcus Smart is god over there, on Real Gm, you guys seem to GET IT. I dont know why that is.

I agree with this.
I think Brad has lost the respect of his players. The constant jacking up of 3’s has been a problem since day one, and continued to be a problem in the playoffs. I was doubting if Brad ever has an offensive system. If jacking up 3’s is included in his offensive plays. It’s either, he does not have one, or players were just ignoring or purposely not following him, which is worse. Brad has done a poor job this year. The chemistry issues should have been dealt with by Danny and Brad early on. I remember some teams even go to lunch, dinner, or just hang out to develop trust and chemistry. Like one poster said, players need to like each other. It matters for team chemistry. I think Kyrie has to go. That ship has sailed already. We need to move on. I think a lineup of Smart, Brown, Hayward, Tatum and Horford would develop chemistry. With hopes of Tatum and Brown developing into a star combo. Maybe we could trade kyrie to the lakers, nets or knicks and get something. Brad needs to clean his act as well. Hope we get this thing around soon.

[Red2]

Brad lost control of this team and never got it back . Nice guy Mr Indiana only goes so far . He should have benched Kyrie after game 3