Robb: Brad Stevens Earns Surprising Technical Foul In Celtics Loss to Knicks
BOSTON (CBS) – It took nearly two full seasons, but Brad Stevens finally earned the second technical foul of his NBA career on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.
The mild-mannered coach couldn't help but voice his frustration after watching center Tyler Zeller get hammered on a fast break attempt in the middle of the third quarter.
The preseason tilt between the Celtics and Knicks had already gotten a little bit chippy up to that point, so Stevens didn't hold back on airing his grievances with the officials after the non-call.
After the Celtics' 101-95 loss, the head coach was asked about what exactly warranted him earning the technical.
"I was told that I came onto the court," Stevens told reporters in New York. "So I don't know. I obviously reacted to Tyler's layup. I haven't seen it. I haven't seen the replay. I don't have a reaction to it…I just came out on the court, I guess."
The "outburst" was a bit more animated than the first time Stevens was whistled for a technical during his rookie season in February 2014. Back then, almost in a calculated move, Stevens put down his clipboard on the scorer's table prior to shouting a few words at an official that immediately led to his ejection with 35 seconds remaining in the road loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Nearly 122 games later, Stevens earned his second tech, but don't count on there being that long of a delay until he's giving another. With the Celtics expected to fight for a playoff spot from the start of the season this year, there will be plenty for the third-year coach to fight for each and every night. With a seasoned Stevens now on solid footing with officials in the NBA, the head coach probably won't be as shy about voicing his displeasure with calls as he was in his first two seasons.
Friday night proved to be a good example of that.
Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.
