WALTHAM, Mass. — After all but confirming reports that assistant Darren Erman had accepted a job with the New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he is in no hurry to fill the void on his staff.
“I’ve (replaced assistants) pretty much every summer I’ve been a coach,” Stevens said Tuesday after running five prospects through a pre-draft workout. “If you’ve got a good staff, you’re going to lose them at times, and that’s great. It’s great for the opportunity for upward mobility for your staff and for your environment. I think that’s a positive feel when guys get a chance to move on, grow and do other things. I think that’s all good.
“I’ll take my time in figuring out what’s next. I’m in no rush, certainly.”
Erman, who reportedly will be hired as an associate head coach under new Pelicans boss Alvin Gentry, is known as one of the NBA’s brightest defensive minds and individual skills coaches after his work with the Celtics and Golden State Warriors.
“I think it’s pretty well-documented,” Stevens said. “He did a great job. He’s very well-respected and has a lot of great abilities as a coach. Certainly, he’s a guy that I’m very fond of and hope for the best, regardless.”
The Celtics also made an addition to their coaching staff this week, bringing in former Butler guard and Stevens disciple Alex Barlow to work as a video assistant. Stevens said Barlow, who recently completed his senior season with the Bulldogs, long has eyed a career in coaching.
“It’s a great opportunity for an entry-level spot into coaching and just to see the ins and out of the day-to-day work,” Stevens said. “It’s a grinder of a job. It’s a tough job. But he’s a really bright guy. He was an Academic All-American, two-time Big East All-Scholar, Lowe’s Senior Class Award-winner — you go through the list. I guess he’s probably not as smart as his accomplishments if he wants to coach. But he’s great. I like Alex a lot, and we’re happy he’s here.”
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
