Two hours and eighteen minutes after the title was decided, at 12:19 a.m. on Tuesday, Brad Stevens approached Eddie House and Brian Scalabrine of NBC Sports Boston on the parquet floor.
He had a huge smile on his face, an NBA champion black t-shirt, and a backward white cap. Dad Brad, Mad Brad, and Glad Brad are all familiar to us, but Frat Brad is new to us.
Anyone could have done the Jrue Holiday deal, Scalabrine joked to Stevens. Stevens took it in stride when he made light of the fantastic job that Stevens was doing.
Stevens deadpanned, “I’m a genius, Scal,” before returning to his ecstatic state. Then there was a silence. “It might have been the worst thing I’ve ever said.”
In reality, House said, Stevens is a genius. Although Stevens claimed to be grateful, it was clear that he felt he was receiving much too much praise.
Stevens asserted, “I did not do anything when I say I did.” “I spent almost a hundred games sitting in the suite, watching and eating popcorn.”
There’s a thin boundary there. Of sure, the players should get the majority of the credit. Next, the coaches. Yes, you supporters are to be commended for really setting Boston apart from other NBA towns. Though he’ll constantly tell us to, let’s not overlook Stevens (and yes, Danny Ainge, too) in all of this.
Though he might not be a genius, his work as President of Basketball Operations is rather impressive. He is much more astute as an executive than he was as a coach. Stevens is a good leader because of his disposition. He is skilled at striking a balance between patience and taking chances. Each and every time, he has hit the appropriate button. Really, each and every time.
It was not easy to bid Marcus Smart farewell. That man devoted his entire being to the franchise. The same is true for Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams. Those actions were bittersweet at the time. These days, the bargains seem virtually indisputable, even though they are undoubtedly missed spiritually.
Jrue Holiday seems like a perfect option to go with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. This squad was crying out for someone with his calmness in the clutch, flexibility, and cool temperament. The fact that the Bucks and Celtics triumphed right after he came is not by accident. He improves everyone in his vicinity.
