One might have thought Stevens was surprised that Crawford had a triple-double.
“Shocked,” Stevens said.
And how effective was Crawford?
“Shockingly effective,” Stevens said, smiling. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”
Stevens then dropped the act for a moment.
“He was good, he was solid,” Stevens said. “He didn’t shoot it great, obviously, but everything else he did pretty well.”
If anything, it might have been an insight into how Stevens values team basketball over individual performances.
But, make no mistake, Stevens knew what Crawford had achieved, if only because Crawford asked Stevens to stay in the game late when he needed a couple baskets to seal the triple-double.
“I kind of asked him a little bit,” Crawford said, smiling. “I whispered in his ear a little bit.”
Crawford said his teammates were telling him how close he was late in the game, which is why he started firing up shots.
Globe (Scroll to 3:16 of video)
Brad Stevens fooled me.
I watched his press conference, and given Stevens ‘aw shucks’ persona, I thought Stevens was genuinely shocked upon learning that Jordan Crawford had a triple-double.
Wrong.
I didn’t think Stevens was capable of such a diabolical move. Watch out Belichick, there’s a new dark lord in town.
Note: I was a bit skeptical of the Stevens hiring, but I’m coming around.
Related: ESPN Boston – Crawford’s sneaky triple double
On Page 2, Gino’s first appearance at the Garden this season.
“What is it?” asked an amused and confused Stevens.
Media members did their best to quickly explain the “American Bandstand” mash-up that features a smooth-grooving, bearded man in a Gino Vannelli T-shirt as the Bee Gees’ “You Should Be Dancing” blares. It has served as the team’s victory cigar of sorts since before the Big Three era.
Sure, it was a bit bizarre without Garnett, a towel draped over his head, pointing up to the video screen with each appearance of the man nicknamed Gino, who has spawned everything from T-shirts to hats to superfans with his moniker. Celtics fans still roared each time the man’s long legs and jointless arms grooved for them.
Gerald Wallace looked up to the video screen with a knowing glance (he’s been on the wrong side of Gino in the past), and Sullinger and Bass shared a quick laugh as one of Garnett’s favorite clips played. But most of Boston’s new faces just shrugged and went back to their on-court business. Even Rajon Rondo seemed rather unfazed.
“We were really locked in,” said Sullinger. “We don’t have a lot of guys that enjoy Gino Time like the one guy that used to be here in Kevin.”
I’m still a fan of Gino time, but it’s only worthwhile if the players embrace it.
Maybe it’s time to usher in a new tradition with the new regime.
The rest of the links:
Herald – Making it look easy bein’ Green | Sullinger, Celtics use treys to serve Cavs | Mike Brown tied to Stevens drama | Ainge, Stevens bridge gap | CSNNE – Crawford’s shot selection improving | Olynyk: No timetable, but ankle improving | Celtics-Bucks preview | ESPN Boston – Celts 103 Cavs 86 |
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