Rarely do championship windows remain open for as long as you would think. Trades, player dissatisfaction, and injuries are just a few of the many factors that can ruin a team’s hopes of long-term success. The new CBA and the penalties for going over the second apron are the most recent speed bumps.
But in the summer Brad Stevens didn’t let any of those worries stop him from swinging for the fences. He made the audacious choice to sell Marcus Smart, a beloved player, in order to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. Without a doubt, the change has produced the anticipated results. However, concerns about Porzingis’ history of injuries and his lack of success on prior stops were present at the moment.
But Stevens didn’t stop there. Upon learning that Jrue Holiday was free from the Portland Trail Blazers, he sent out Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, and explosive big man Robert Williams to acquire the championship-winning guard.
Fans of the Celtics realized that these actions were necessary. But there might have been some questions from the outside world. Boston was, after all, a 2022 NBA Finals team. And before succumbing to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, they were only one game away from making it two straight.
Making the decision to split up that roster was really important.
Stevens said to Steve Bulpett of Heavy on Sports, “I think we’re always evaluating how we can get better because I think if you’re not trying to get better, you’re probably going to get caught.” “Moreover, we weren’t the Finals or championship squad we had hoped to be in any case. So, I just think you have to be aware of the possibility of getting caught at all times.
One can get caught in a number of ways. What if the Celtics had done nothing but sit back in the summer? Damian Lillard would still have been acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks. The addition of Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, and OG Anunoby would have enhanced the New York Knicks. And because of their own growth, the Orlando Magic would still have advanced.
MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal once said that those maneuvers were “extremely necessary” in retrospect.
According to Stevens, “being good is really fragile.” “It’s very difficult to be good. Furthermore, nothing is certain, so you must constantly search for methods to get better. Most of the time, you can adjust the attack or defense within the confines of the stadium. However, chances do arise occasionally; all you need to do is be prepared.
When we reflect on the trade deadline, we can also observe that mindset in action. Stevens discovered methods to strengthen the depth on the back end of the team despite the Celtics having the best record in basketball and some wiggle room at the top of the East.
Xavier Tillman Sr. and Jaden Springer entered the game; both are capable of producing a big play when needed and might develop into solid rotation players down the road. It is this type of decision-making that elevates teams from competent to exceptional. Stevens isn’t letting the Celtics’ past achievements get to him. He’s desperate to win a title. And he’s doing all in his power to give the club the best chance of winning.
There is still a considerable amount of work still before the NBA Finals. In that time, a lot can happen. But Stevens will be our collective hero if, no, when, the Celtics raise the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the campaign. When it was simpler to stay in his comfort zone, he decided to roll the dice.
We’re all benefiting from those choices right now.
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