Since joining the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens has hardly been known for explosive comments to the media. He always comes off as evenkeeled, rarely saying anything of substance or making fiery statements. His calm tone and demeanor have become synonymous with his tenure as head coach and now president of basketball operations.
So, I wasn’t expecting anything different on Wednesday when he addressed the media for an end-of-year press conference at the Auerbach Center, even after a devastating playoff loss in the first round to the Sixers after blowing a 3-1 lead.
But that wasn’t the case at all. Brad was blunt, direct, and gave an honest and critical assessment of his team from the top down.
Stevens admitted Celtics need better players
Stevens bemoaned the team’s shots, saying they haven’t been able to generate good enough shots in the playoffs. He made it clear that he believes it’s a personnel issue and the Celtics don’t have good enough talent to create the shots they need.
He also made it clear that he’s not going to overreact to the team’s regular-season success in 2025-26, explaining that a third of the league was tanking and winning games is going to be a lot more difficult going forward.
Brad also made a point to note that the team’s problems weren’t unique to the Philly loss, and that they struggled last year against the Knicks and even the Magic, plus that they had problems winning at home, even mentioning the lone losses to the Heat and Cavaliers during the 2024 title run.
Celtics ready to make major changes this offseason
It’s a stark contrast from pressers of the past. Brad easily could have downplayed the loss, talking up the unexpected success of the season, and suggesting they are close and just need a few tweaks. Instead, he went scorched earth (at least for his standards) and expressed that the team needs to get better to compete for another title, even saying, “We need to add to our team to do that”.
That’s about as clear a statement as you’re likely to ever hear from Stevens, and with him coming out and admitting the team, and specifically the personnel, need to get better, it’s fair to start dreaming of big moves and changes this summer.
It wasn’t exactly an indication that Boston will be blowing up the team, trading for the likes of Giannis or KD, but again, it certainly wasn’t an endorsement of the current roster either. Anything is in play this offseason, and it’s fair to say that outside of Jayson Tatum, nobody is safe going forward.
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