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Boston Celtics: Steve Kerr praises Brad Stevens as a top NBA coach

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on October 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on October 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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When it comes to current NBA coaches, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is amongst the very best.

The respect Brad Stevens has garnered around the NBA is nothing new.  But, it’s always refreshing to hear the praise the young Boston Celtics coach continues to receive from players and other coaches around the league.

Add Steve Kerr to that list.

In an interview with Boston.com, the two-time NBA World Champion coach saluted Stevens, saying he had a good feeling about the Celtics coach right from the start.

"“I like him immediately because of his demeanor,” Kerr said of his first meeting with Steven during the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.  “Not only could you tell he was very intelligent, but he also had a high EQ [emotional intelligence.].”"

Kerr went on to laud Brad Stevens as “one of the best coaches in the league.”  Not only does his brief NBA coaching success back up those sentiments, the job Stevens is doing so far in the 2017 NBA season has him as a frontrunner for coach of the year.

Boston Celtics
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

His team is currently 7-2 and atop the NBA as far as record goes.  Considering what the team went through in losing star forward Gordon Hayward in the opening minutes of the season, a seven-game winning streak is the last thing anyone expected.  But, that goes back to Stevens and the way he handles his team.  In that respect, Kerr is in utter awe.

"“I’m amazed at how good he is,” Kerr said, via Boston.com.  “Not just because he has impressive plays, but because of the way he handles his team, the league, and the media.”"

With the way the Boston Celtics are playing, the two coaches may get a chance to battle it out in the NBA Finals.  If that does happen, it would further highlight the type of coach Brad Stevens is.  Without one of his star players and a team mostly made up of first and second-year players, that would be quite the feat.

Related Story: Gordon Hayward credits Brad Stevens with fueling NBA career

If he somehow wins it…well, forget it about it.  He wouldn’t just be one of the best, he would stake his claim as the best.

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A humbled modesty

While the accolades continue to come, one thing that stands out about Brad Stevens is his modesty.

No matter how high the team is, the coach remains focus on improving and doing the small things necessary to win NBA games.  When asked about the team’s impressive 7-2 start, Stevens just shrugged it off.

"“Who cares?  We have 73 games to go,” Stevens said, via NBA.com.  “That’s my precise answer.”"

As the team prepares to take on the Orlando Magic Sunday night, Stevens is just focusing his team on getting better even if they are ahead of schedule.

To that, the Celtics coach does acknowledge his team is playing above expectations.

Next: The 5 faces of the Boston Celtics: The coach, the stars and the future

"“I think we’re probably a little bit in some ways,” Stevens said.  But, you know, in other ways, I just know how much room we have to improve.  We have a lot of room to improve, and we’ve got to get better if we want to ultimately be where we want to be.”"

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