Boston has always been seen as the veteran team in the NBA, at one time lead by veterans Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. The team lead by seasoned players obviously lacked in youth and promise. Boston went through a process of “cleaning house”, letting go of Ray Allen after the ’11-’12 season, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce after the ’12-’13 season, and Rajon Rondo during the ’14-’15 season. Many Boston fans slumped in their seats, seeing all the players, along with their head coach Doc Rivers, walk out one after another. In came Brad Stevens, and we witnessed the rebirth of Boston.
Brad Stevens led Butler to 2 Final Fours, one in which he took the team to the National Championship, losing to Duke. Stevens was called up to the NBA after signing a six year contract with the Celtics in 2013. At the time, Boston had already said goodbye to most of their veterans, Rajon Rondo being the one who remained. Stevens took the reigns of a Celtics team in the ’13-’14 season highlighted by names such as Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and Jared Sullinger among others. The team went 25-57, putting the team 12th in the Eastern conference.
Stevens was back again for the ’14-’15 season, a time in which the “rebirth” occurred. The last of the remaining veteran squad, Rajon Rondo, was traded to Dallas midseason. Along with Rondo leaving, Isaiah Thomas was brought in from Phoenix. Names like Jae Crowder, Tayshaun Prince and Marcus Smart gave the team, along with the fans, a sense of hope for what may be to come. In Stevens’ second year, he lead the Boston Celtics to a record of 40-42, good enough for the 7th seed in the Eastern conference. In their first series, they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Now, we have this season, a season in which the Boston Celtics fans are rallying behind one of the most underrated and most deadly teams in the NBA. Stevens, in his third season, has developed the Celtics into what the city of Boston deserves. This team, led by a starting lineup in which the oldest player was 28 years old, wasn’t your typical young team with little developed talent. This team took the NBA by storm, currently holding a record of 45-32, currently sitting at the 4th seed in the Eastern conference. Stevens, in a short three years, has taken a team from the “rebuilding” phase, to being a darkhorse contender. Isaiah Thomas, in his first full season with the Celtics, has taken the leadership role that the Celtics have been searching for.
Looking ahead at what the future holds for Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics team, don’t be surprised if they continue improving. With Brad Stevens with the clipboard and Isaiah Thomas being the floor general, a plan that has proven to work, the city of Boston has new life.
