Boston Celtics Hardwood News: Brad Stevens to Coach East All-Stars
Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens will join point guard Isaiah Thomas at All-Star Weekend.
Isaiah Thomas will not be the only member of the Boston Celtics representing the Eastern Conference at All-Star Weekend. Head coach Brad Stevens and his staff learned Friday night that they will be coaching Thomas and the rest of the East All-Stars on Feb. 19 when they battle it out with the Western Conference All-Stars coached by Steve Kerr.
The Celtics clinched the second-best record in the conference with a 113-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden. Because of a stipulation in NBA rules, Tyrone Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers is ineligible this year since he coached last year.
More from Boston Celtics
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Blake Griffin Angling Hard to Re-Sign With Celtics
- Game-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament Schedule
- Kristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury is a Problem Despite Celtics’ Optimism
- Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Ime Udoka all Returning to Boston on 2023-24 Schedule
With the honor therefore going to the coaching staff of the team with the second-best record, a humble Stevens thanked his players for giving him the opportunity.
"“I think none of us are crazy enough to think you get there without really good players, and the players certainly carry the coaches,” Stevens said via Celtics.com. “But with regard to the staff, I think our staff works really hard. I’ve tried to prioritize hiring humble, hardworking and intelligent people. And they come every day, they work really hard, they do a lot behind the scenes, they put in a lot of time and effort, and so it’s nice that they’re getting to be a part of that as well.”"
Brad Stevens and the coaching staff led the Boston Celtics to a 32-18 record through 50 games. It is the best record the team has had through 50 games since the 2010-11 season when the team was coached by Doc Rivers. Ironically, Rivers will be in town Sunday when the Celtics take on Paul Pierce and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Notes & quotes
Thomas goes for 38: Isaiah Thomas scored 17 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and was just two points shy of a fourth consecutive 40-point performance.
Although he came short of keeping that streak alive, Thomas did record his 34th straight game with20 or more points. He is just six games shy of tying John Havlicek’s franchise record.
In all, Thomas has been on an impressive run that has earned him Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors for the month of January. During that time, Thomas has led his team to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Related Story: Isaiah Thomas Torches the Month of January
Jae Crowder on Brad Stevens being named coach of the Eastern Conference All-Stars via Celtics.com:
"“We’re excited for [our coaches]. They put in endless hours and time to make sure that we are ready to go out there and compete and they deserve it.”"
Isaiah Thomas on whether he is filling the star void in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry since Kobe Bryant via ESPN:
"“You can’t put my name with Kobe. Maybe 15 years from now, hopefully. But I’m not close to him.”"
Next: New England Patriots: 7 Big Game Bets for Super Bowl LI
The Boston Celtics will next host the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.