The Boston Celtics are blessed with two impeccable basic managers, however who’s the higher of the 2?
The Boston Celtics have been profitable for a very long time. Except for successful probably the most NBA titles in league historical past with 18 banners, they’ve established themselves as a playoff-caliber membership for 10 years. They’ve spent the previous decade pursuing their first championship win since 2008.
In 2024, head coach Joe Mazzula achieved nice success by reaching the highest of the NBA. This was not with out assist from former head coach and present basic supervisor Brad Stevens. He has put collectively a powerful roster to dominate within the NBA Finals.
The membership’s basis for sustained success was laid by Danny Ainge, who was basic supervisor earlier than Stevens was promoted from coach to government. Who’s the higher supervisor for the Celtics? Paul Pierce lately answered the query.
Paul Pierce performed with Ainge because the lead choice maker for many of his profession, besides on the finish of his profession when he performed on just a few extra groups. He was an integral a part of the group successful the 2008 title, however Ainge rolled the cube and bought Kevin Garnett to assist the group win the championship.
Pearce additionally acquired a entrance row seat to Stevens’ success on this collection, which got here rapidly. On a latest episode of “The Reality Lounge,” Pearce could not select which of the 2 has served the group higher when requested a direct query.
“Brad Stevens is a good GM,” Pierce mentioned. “I believe[Ainge]formed Brad. They in all probability spent a whole lot of time collectively within the workplace as basic supervisor and coach, choosing one another’s brains about philosophy and gamers and what it means to construct a group. I believe so.
“That is why when Brad got here off the bench, he instantly went upstairs. He should have had a whole lot of conferences with Danny…He was groomed for the function.”
Ainge and Stevens each made daring and calculated trades to in the end purchase gamers who complement their superstars and assist the Celtics hoist trophies and plant new flags within the rafters. did.
As talked about above, Ainge spent 19 years with the Celtics, compiling a profession document of 806 wins and 633 losses. Alongside the best way, Ainge helped the membership win a title in 2008 and lose to the Los Angeles Lakers within the 2010 NBA Finals. After that, he continued to hunt extra titles till he retired in 2021 because of his personal talents. To the Utah Jazz.
In simply 4 seasons as a decision-maker, Stevens has two NBA Finals appearances and one win. The Celtics are at present the most effective groups within the league, if not the perfect group within the NBA, with a group document of 193 wins and 79 losses.
Stevens did not need to endure a rebuild, however his time as an government in Boston was fairly spectacular.
Though it is unfair to check them, it is protected to say that the pair took the group to the highest, nurtured Larry O’Brien and etched their names into the membership’s wealthy historical past.
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