Celtics' Brad Stevens On Toucher & Rich
BOSTON (CBS) - New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens isn't sure what his starting five will look like come October 30, but he's confident that will work itself out during training camp.
"I have my thoughts and ideas," Stevens told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Tuesday, noting the first five days of training camp will play a big role in figuring out his lineup. "Jeff Green can play anywhere from 2-4 depending on who is on the court with him. You have to have a little versatility with those other guys so we can figure out where best to put Jeff and who best fits with Jeff."
"The good news is you get eight trial runs, and that is different. In college you got two," he said of the preseason schedule. "I'm going to get better in those eight games and hopefully our team will find their shape and best form."
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Stevens comes to the NBA after six successful years at Butler University, coaching the Bulldogs to a pair of NCAA Championship appearances and a 166–49 record. He knows he still has plenty to learn about the NBA game, but is confident that a strong staff of assistant coaches will help him with that process.
As for his new players, he is taking the time to learn each of their games and will figure out how best to use them all together. And with expectations fairly low for the new-look team, Stevens thinks that could work in their advantage.
"If you get slighted or feel under-appreciated, if you've has success and are not having success and people question you, you do one of two things: does your confidence take a hit or do you get that chip on your shoulder and become more determined," Stevens explained. "It's easy to say everyone puts a chip on their shoulder. I would say the best of the best do. That's what makes them unique."
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"We have a couple of guys in that position," he said. "This will be a great test for them, how they respond. One thing we can do as a staff is get to know their games and make sure they know we believe in what they do well."
