The Celtics introduced Brad Stevens today as their new head coach. Here are some excerpts from the press conference:
On leaving Butler and coming to Boston:
BS: It’s an honor and privilege to be here. I’m just in awe of this organization. It has such a high standard and places a value on culture.
The Boston Celtics? Like wow. That is an incredible feeling, an incredible honor.
I’m really, really excited to meet all the players. Figure out what makes everybody go and work together collectively.
DA: My first phone call was to Brad Stevens. I have watched and admired his poise, intelligence, his teams, their execution under pressure and always looked at him as a candidate to be a great head coach. Brad’s success will be determined a lot by what we do, what I do and what ownership does to support us. We’ve been through this rebuilding process before and we’re better for it.
WG: We think by having Brad here as a key part of the Celtics, we’re doing everything to get back to the championship ways.
On Rajon Rondo:
BS: There’s is no bigger fan of Rondo than me. His instincts, his ability to make other people better, he sees things ahead of the play. Everyone I’ve talked to has raved about how intellectual he is. I talked to him on the phone yesterday and I’m looking forward to sitting down with him and talking ball. I’m a pretty open guy.
It was more an introductory phone call. It was quick. I’m hoping to spend time with him in the next couple of weeks. He was great.
On making the jump to the pros:
BS: I’m aware of everyone who has made the transition. Each situation is different. What I would look for in every work environment is getting everyone on the same page… and supporting each other.
DA: He had to take a leap in faith in us, as an organization, because there had been so many good coaches that haven’t had the opportunity to succeed.
On his coaching style:
BS: I don’t know I can define what kind of coach I am versus somebody else. I think they’ll know I’ll genuinely care about our collective success and their individual success. I won’t be right in every decision. I’m going to make a lot of mistakes. We will bust it to make sure we don’t make that same mistake again.
On his wife who is also his agent:
I’m the only coach in the country who pays 100% to his agent.
That line drew a laugh from the crowd.
As far as introductory press conferences go, this was your standard performance. I’m not sure you can draw any conclusions from what we saw today other than that Brad Stevens is ready and excited to coach the Celtics.
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