Brad Stevens on Coaching Rumors: ‘I’m Committed to Being Here’
The whispers of Brad Stevens leaving the Celtics for a prestigious college coaching job are growing louder. Boston was unable to deliver on the fireworks that they said were coming over the summer. Rajon Rondo was just dealt to Dallas. Boston is in a rebuild that could take a while.
While Stevens is regularly brought up as a candidate to be Mike Krzyzewski’s replacement at Duke, there may be a more immediate opening that catches the attention of the Zionsville, Indiana native.
Despite a 9-2 start to the season, if the Indiana Hoosiers again turn in an underwhelming performance in the NCAA Tournament, head coach Tom Crean may be handed his walking papers.
At one point in time, this was likely Stevens’ dream job. Now, he is in the second year of a six-year pact with the Celtics. And he intends to honor that agreement:
“I’ve committed to being here,” Stevens told SB Nation’s Paul Flannery. “I’ve already left a situation once and that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to choose to do. This is something that as long as they want me to be here, this is what I want to be doing, and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. I know it’s all specific to the rumor mills and the discussion of one spot. I think they’ve got a good coach (in Tom Crean) who’s done a helluva job. He doesn’t deserve that speculation.”
If Stevens jumps ship after only being in the NBA for two or three seasons and without having the chance to see how he does with a competitive roster, it would be a disservice to himself. It also might scare NBA teams away from giving Stevens a second chance.
Boston’s head coach is adamant that these are dead issues:
“I’m the head coach of the Boston Celtics,” Stevens told Flannery. “This is the job. This is where I am. This is what I want to do really well, and I’m committed to being as good as I can every single day for the Celtics.”
Hopefully, this reassures “Green Teamers” that Stevens has no intentions of leaving anytime soon.
If not, perhaps Dan Dakich, a college basketball analyst and former IU player can help convince you:
“I know he enjoys the hell out of the Celtics,” Dakich told the Globe’s Gary Washburn. “I know he enjoys the challenge that is the NBA. I know that. We’ve talked about that.”
“I bet you Brad probably thought about (going to IU) when he was at Butler, but I would venture a guess he hasn’t given that two thoughts since he’s been with the Celtics. I would bet my life on it.”
The Celtics are committed to Stevens and he is committed to the Celtics. The toughest times in this marriage figure to happen during its early stages. But as Boston emerges out of its current rebuild, Stevens figures to be hitting his stride as an NBA head coach. A combination that both sides are hoping will prove to be a championship combination.