Paul Pierce now plays elsewhere, but coach Brad Stevens doesn’t need “The Truth” to be honest.
After the Boston Celtics rolled over in New York, trailing by as many as 35 points before carving into the deficit the slightest bit in the fourth quarter, Stevens didn’t pull any punches.
“Whatever we are, record-wise,” Stevens told reporters after his team’s 114-88 loss, “we’re just not a very good basketball team.”
Stevens was in a dour mood throughout the game. He told a TV reporter at halftime that there were breakdowns “everywhere” and didn’t need to elaborate when asked after the game to describe Boston’s performance.
“A good, old-fashioned butt kicking,” Stevens said. “That’s what it was. I don’t think I have to describe it all that much. I think we were all sitting there watching.”
Stevens doesn’t seem to have a grumpy or rude bone in his body, but it’s clear that so much losing weighs on him. He loves practice, as most coaches do, and the inability to practice Wednesday ahead of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers ate at him. The Celtics have three straight days without a game upcoming, following the matchup with the Sixers. Best believe that Stevens will put those days to use in Waltham.
