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Boston Celtics: 5 thoughts, highlights from NBA GM Survey

By Joe DeFerrari

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 18: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics warms up before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on October 18, 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 18: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics warms up before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on October 18, 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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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Coach and team awards

The change in GMs’ perception of coaches was absolutely staggering. Last year, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich earned 82 percent of the votes for best head coach. Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens did not earn a vote. This year, 47 percent of GMs said Stevens was the best head coach, with only 30 percent picking Popovich.

This time a year ago, the Celtics were coming off an unquestionably successful season. They were the number one seed, and made it to the Conference Finals. That was a big season, and many fans were already ready to anoint Stevens. However, coaches make their names in the playoffs, and Stevens’s playoff narrative was muddled.

The Boston Celtics made it to the Conference Finals, but only after a series against the Chicago Bulls that was closer than it should have been and a skin-of-their-teeth victory against the Washington Wizards. Then, the top-seeded Celtics were thoroughly embarrassed by the Cavaliers.

Though they didn’t get further, this year’s Boston Celtics looked significantly more impressive. Making it through to the Conference Finals alone would have been remarkable with Irving and Gordon Hayward out, but they did more than just make it; they pushed LeBron and his Cavs to seven games, and at times looked like the favorites to win the series.

It’s unclear how much of that is thanks to Stevens, but those performances are the sort of memories that boost your reputation. Playing as well as they did during the regular season despite all the injuries doesn’t hurt either.

That wasn’t the only mention for Stevens. He earned 53 percent of the vote for best coach at in-game adjustments, 30 percent of the vote for best defensive schemes, 20 percent of the vote for coach that runs the best offense, and 17 percent of the vote for best manager/motivator of people.

Boston’s Jay Larranaga tied for third place in the best assistant coach poll.

Meanwhile, the team itself also got many votes. They were voted as the second-best defensive team in the league behind Utah. It was somewhat surprising to see Toronto earning no votes after adding Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to an already stout defense – perhaps GMs were hesitant to select a team with so much roster and coaching turnover.

GMs were asked which team is the most fun to watch; the Boston Celtics were second to only the Warriors. They were second to Philadelphia in the vote for which team has the best young core (which is not only fun for team-wide rivalry purposes, but also perpetuates the individual rivalry potential between Tatum and Simmons). Boston earned votes in the poll of best home-court advantage, highlighting Boston’s rabid fanbase.

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