(Photo by Keith Allison)
There were 0.3 seconds on the clock when Jaylen Brown nailed the game-winning three, capping off a 5-0 West Coast road trip with a win over the Utah Jazz. With this victory, Boston climbed to just 3.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors for first place in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand and two head-to-head matchups remaining.
Throughout sports history, there have been several franchises that establish winning cultures, ones that transcend individual talent and build reputations of consistent dominance--right now, we’re witnessing what is likely the tail end of the Patriots’ dynasty. Among other things, these teams feature effective schemes, masterful asset management, and impeccable coaching.
In the Western Conference, Gregg Popovich has impressively coached an undermanned and overaged Spurs squad to a 43-32 record and the six seed in the conference. But there’s more to the San Antonio story than the team’s record indicates; behind closed doors, Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs brass are reportedly at odds over the lack of communication regarding Leonard’s quad injury and impending contract extension. Many pundits are speculating that this offseason Kawhi will take the opportunity to spread his wings and leave behind the restrictive confines of the San Antonio Spurs franchise for a lucrative paycheck.
Pop is undoubtedly an all-time great coach, but he’s also had the benefit of consistent talent, from David Robinson to Tim Duncan to Leonard himself (not to mention Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili). Without Leonard, what would the Spurs be next season? Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, and Lamarcus Aldridge will all be one year older (36, 38, and 33 years old respectively), and Ginobili will likely have retired. They might sneak into the playoffs, but Pop’s squad certainly won’t be the powerhouse it’s been known to be for the last two decades or so.
It’s time for a new top dog, a changing of the guards. Obviously the Warriors are dominant and will be for the foreseeable future, but their success is in large part a product of the talent they put on the court each night. Regardless of scheme, I’d challenge anyone to find a better group of basketball players (even athletes) than Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. This is no slight to Steve Kerr (I’m actually a huge Kerr fan); Golden State simply doesn’t boast the same system-focused brand of basketball that requires a mastermind coach and overachieving role players.
On the other hand, the Boston Celtics fit the San Antonio mold much better. On Wednesday night, the C’s advanced to 13-4 without Kyrie Irving. Despite the small sample size, Boston has a .765 winning percentage without Irving and a .672 with him. Clearly, the Celtics aren’t better off without Kyrie, but this stat reinforces the idea that more than just the star player is to thank for Boston’s success this season.
Let’s rewind the Jaylen Brown game-winner to the inbounds pass, when Mike Gorman, Celtics’ play-by-play commentator, wondered aloud why Stevens chose to put Semi Ojeleye for the final shot. Lo and behold, Ojeleye took a pass from Shane Larkin, drew a defender, and dished it off to Brown for the triple--a genius coaching move by Stevens.
Now rewind again to the beginning of the fourth quarter, when Stevens dug deep into the playbook and dialed up a 2-3 zone defense to spur Boston’s double-digit comeback and subdue stud rookie Donovan Mitchell. Brad Stevens coached his team to a victory over arguably the hottest team in the Western Conference without Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, and Marcus Morris. If you weren’t a close watcher of the C’s, you’d be thoroughly confused to see the likes of Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader pouring in 15 minutes apiece in a close Boston victory.
Jokes aside, it’s time for a new king to reign in the NBA. Brad Stevens has created a system in which players experience disproportionate success (see Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, and more), and it’s a formula for attracting free agents, developing young talent, and winning a whole lotta games.
He’s no longer the rookie coach who’s making Boston’s future look bright; Brad Stevens is right now. Popovich is almost 70 years old, and Stevens is a youthful 41. As one empire crumbles, another rises from the ashes. It’s time to say goodbye to San Antonio’s dominance and welcome in the new-age Boston Celtics dynasty.
(Stats via Basketball Reference)
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