After competing in six Eastern Conference Finals over the last eight seasons, the Boston Celtics finally won Banner 18. However, the Celtics' journey began over a decade ago when Danny Ainge hired Brad Stevens to replace Doc Rivers as head coach.
Stevens had never coached on the professional level, hailing from the collegiate ranks. As the head coach of the Butler Bulldogs, Stevens reached two National Championship games — losing in 2010 to Duke and in 2011 to UConn.
As the Celtics coach, Stevens helped restore the Celtics to prominence in the post "Big Three" era — reaching three Eastern Conference Finals.
After coaching the Celtics for eight seasons, Stevens transitioned to the role of President of Basketball Operations after his predecessor, Danny Ainge, announced his retirement. As executive, Stevens promoted Joe Mazzulla to head coach, re-signed Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and acquired Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Al Horford via trades.
All of his work over the last decade, as both head coach and executive, culminated in last year's championship run. Stevens has proved to be a throughline for the Celtics organization in the post-Big 3 era, defining the last 11 years as the Brad Stevens era.
Over the course of the last decade, the Celtics' roster has gone through great upheaval. All-Star caliber players like Rajon Rondo, Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and Gordon Hayward have come and gone.
Here are the top five players of the "Brad Stevens" era:
Honorable Mention: Derrick White
Derrick White joined the Celtics during the 2021-22 season, when Brad Stevens traded Romeo Langford, Josh Richardson, a 2022 first-round draft pick, and a 2028 first-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for White.
He has averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists with the Celtics, earning two All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2022-23 and 2023-24. White’s accuracy from beyond the arc and defensive acumen were essential components for the Celtics last season when they captured Banner 18.
5. Marcus Smart
While the Celtics ultimately improved in his absence, there’s no denying that Marcus Smart was at the heart of the team's success during Brad Stevens’ tenure.
Smart’s offensive woes are well documented, but he earned three All-Defensive First Team honors during his tenure with the Celtics and was the 2021-22 season’s Defensive Player of the Year. Smart’s impact was so profound that many fans have urged the Celtics organization to recognize his contributions with an honorary championship ring.