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Boston Celtics: 3 reasons C’s are capable of dethroning Warriors

By Dan Orencole

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 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 - MAY 23: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Brad Stevens vs. Steve Kerr

While the players on the court are the most important piece to formulating a dominant product, the coach guiding those players is extremely valuable in its own right.

With the Celtics and Warriors, the coaching matchup is arguably the most intriguing in basketball.

The two have taken different paths to get where they are today.

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Stevens paved his way as a mid-major mastermind in NCAA Basketball where he helped guide Butler University to a 166-49 record in the six years at the school including five NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of runner-up finishes in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.
His excellence propelled the Bulldogs to national prominence and landed him a job with the Boston Celtics.

The transition to the next level was going to take time with the roster constructed for him and it showed in his first season, when the Celtics struggled mightily and won just 25 games.

Since that first season, Stevens has led a turnaround in Boston and each season under his guidance the Celtics have improved. Since winning 25 games in year one, the Celtics have won 40, 48, 53 and 55 in the following years and last season reached the Eastern Conference Finals losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers led by all-time great LeBron James.

Last season proved that Stevens and the Celtics were on the verge of something special and this season presents that next step, winning a title.

For Kerr it’s been a different route. The Warriors head coach was a player in the league and won five championships, four coming with the Chicago Bulls. In 2014 he was named the Warriors head coach and since taking over, Kerr has led Golden State to a 265-63 regular season record, three NBA titles and was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2016.

Kerr and the Warriors have established a dynasty built around sharpshooters such as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson at the guard position.

Both Stevens and Kerr have done fantastic jobs over the past few years but Kerr took over the puzzle pieces and plugged them into his system. On the other hand Stevens had to get his puzzle pieces and build them up to where he wants them to be.

While Kerr has the NBA Coach of the Year award to his name, Stevens has a legitimate argument to have won that award in both the 2014-15 season and last year.

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