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Boston Celtics: 3 things Brad Stevens has to do better

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 07: Brad Stevens head coach of the Boston Celtics looks on during a timeout during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on February 07, 2019 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, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 07: Brad Stevens head coach of the Boston Celtics looks on during a timeout during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on February 07, 2019 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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Boston Celtics Brad Stevens (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Brad Stevens (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Boston Celtics have had some chemistry issues all season long.  In order to find a solution, Brad Stevens realizes it’s all on him.

A preseason favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics find themselves looking up at the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers going into the All-Star break.

Not ideal for a team as talented and deep as the Celtics, but that depth and talent is proving to be too much for the team to handle and is certainly challenging the coaching talent of one Brad Stevens.

Just when it seems like this team was putting everything together, winning nine of the last ten games, a last-second shot by old friend Rajon Rondo and a 28-point collapse against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden Saturday night has resurfaced some inner team issues that were never solved.

As veteran forward Marcus Morris bluntly stated after the game, the 2018-19 Boston Celtics aren’t having fun and it hasn’t been fun for a while despite the winning.  With the trade deadline gone, this is the team Stevens has to rock with and it’s up to him to find an answer before this season of high promise becomes a complete disaster.

"“I think I need to look at myself first and figure out what I can do to help that not happen,” Stevens said following the game, via Masslive.com.  “If that means we need to play different rotations, call different things, start differently in quarters than we are, whatever the case may be there’s an answer out there and we just have to find it.”"

Stevens also recognizes the issues on the court but getting this team to believe in the system and believe in each other appears to be the most challenging issue.  Despite the struggles and despite Kyrie Irving missing games, the Boston Celtics are still 35-21.  The urgency comes with how the other top teams are playing.

Add to the fact each team got better at the trade deadline while the Celtics stood pat adds to the frustration the team has with every loss. This is where Brad Stevens has a chance to show what kind of coach he is.  Here are three things he can do better to stop a sinking ship from going under.

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