Very strong statement by DA on CBS

[greece66]

Brad is one of the smartest coaches in the NBA. He’s learning the game still. But he’s a tireless worker, he’s a great communicator. It's exciting for me that Brad is getting the accolades that he’s getting. We ve always known that about Brad. He’s going to have some ups and downs through his coaching career, but, it’s my opinion that, in 10 or 20 years from now, we’ll be talking about Brad as one of the great coaches to ever coach in the NBA.

Article by Christ Forsberg
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4720054/ainge-stevens-will-go-down-as-one-of-coaching-greats

[BitterJim]

It needs an option for "He'll be remembered as a great coach, but not an all time great"

I think he'll be great, win at least one COTY award, but I don't think he'll be considered better than Red and Tommy when it's all said and done

Also, Forsberg is a good guy, but comparing him to Jesus seems a bit much

[LarBrd33]

Are there examples of phenomenal coaches who got weak talent to the playoffs consistently?  Maybe Brad can end up like Larry Brown or something... get the most out of every team he coaches on... and finally 25+ years from now on his 7th team he'll finally have the perfect storm of talent that lets him win a championship.

[D.o.s.]

That's some shade on Larry Brown.

Ainge saying nice things about his coach is not particularly novel, IMO. He says nice things about everyone involved with the Celtics while they're involved with the Celtics -- what is he supposed to say, "I hate our coach and he steals my parking spot and I hate his dumb dumb face"? Ask him about Stevens in 2-3 years.

[oldtype]

It needs an option for "He'll be remembered as a great coach, but not an all time great"

I think he'll be great, win at least one COTY award, but I don't think he'll be considered better than Red and Tommy when it's all said and done

Also, Forsberg is a good guy, but comparing him to Jesus seems a bit much

If the standard for all-time greats is "must be as good as Red," we might as well just give up forever.

[saltlover]

Are you trying to have a contest for most polls started?

[greece66]

Are you trying to have a contest for most polls started?

who else is making polls?

[droopdog7]

How about this option?

It's a players' (and by extension, a GM's) league.  Great coaching is good to have but when it comes to titles, it's all about the players.

[greece66]

How about this option?

It's a players' (and by extension, a GM's) league.  Great coaching is good to have but when it comes to titles, it's all about the players.

No, because Pops.

[D.o.s.]

How about this option?

It's a players' (and by extension, a GM's) league.  Great coaching is good to have but when it comes to titles, it's all about the players.

No, because Pops.

...

[GetLucky]

How about this option?

It's a players' (and by extension, a GM's) league.  Great coaching is good to have but when it comes to titles, it's all about the players.

No, because Pops.

Pop homself says that Duncan is the reason for all of the Spurs' success. In the overseas NBA trip, Pop just said, "Now I may have been a part of 5 championship teams, but the real reason for the success is 'Coach Duncan.'"

[KG Living Legend]

 This is funny because a friend of my kept busting my chops about how Stevens is going back to college as soon as he gets the chance.
 I countered with the length of his contract, how Brad gushed that this is the Boston freaking Celtics at his press conference. And I thought he was calculating how much money he could make here over the next 20 years. His wife is an attorney I believe and seems like a rock and good with investments.
 This confirms my belief, Brad will be here until Ainge cash barely walk.

[Rondo9]

How about this option?

It's a players' (and by extension, a GM's) league.  Great coaching is good to have but when it comes to titles, it's all about the players.

And the coaches.

[greece66]

How about this option?

It's a players' (and by extension, a GM's) league.  Great coaching is good to have but when it comes to titles, it's all about the players.

No, because Pops.

Pop homself says that Duncan is the reason for all of the Spurs' success. In the overseas NBA trip, Pop just said, "Now I may have been a part of 5 championship teams, but the real reason for the success is 'Coach Duncan.'"

Duncan is a huge factor no doubt. But consider that other teams had got even luckier with the draft (OKC) without anything close to SAS results.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

How about this option?

It's a players' (and by extension, a GM's) league.  Great coaching is good to have but when it comes to titles, it's all about the players.

No, because Pops.

Pop homself says that Duncan is the reason for all of the Spurs' success. In the overseas NBA trip, Pop just said, "Now I may have been a part of 5 championship teams, but the real reason for the success is 'Coach Duncan.'"

Duncan is a huge factor no doubt. But consider that other teams had got even luckier with the draft (OKC) without anything close to SAS results.

If it was just the players, there have been players on Duncan's level who have never won, players with teams stacked full of the best talent. People dismiss coaches but they mean almost as much as the players, otherwise teams wouldn't waste money on paying them, they would just leave it to the players. Don't compare pay to argue this, of course the people who are doing the entertaining will get paid more.

I guarantee you, if Pops doesn't win without Duncan people will take that as proof that it's all about Duncan. Never seeing if Duncan could do it without Pops and the teams/game plans he put together. There could be many reasons than "it's all Duncan" if he can't win w/o him but people will not see/hear it.