The Boston Celtics experienced a season from hell in 2020/21. In addition to sporting disappointments, there were apparently internal team “tensions” off the field. Blake Griffin is said to have been warned against a move to the Celtics.
That goes from a report by Jared Weiss (The Athletic). Griffin asked a Celtics player after his buyout from the Detroit Pistons in March if he should join the team. The anonymous player is said to have advised against it with reference to an alleged “dysfunction” within the team.
Griffin finally joined the Brooklyn Nets, with whom he failed in overtime in the Eastern Conference semifinals only in a hard-fought Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks (111: 115). In the first round Brooklyn had eliminated those Celtics from the playoffs in just 5 games.
The Celtics only entered the postseason as a 7-seed after finishing the regular season with just 36 wins and 36 losses. In the play-in-game, Jayson Tatum and Co. at least prevailed against the wizards. Nevertheless, the season ended up being disappointing.
The internal quarrels apparently also concerned the relationship between the then head coach Brad Stevens, who has meanwhile changed to the post of President of Basketball Operations, and Kemba Walker. The point guard was recently traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Boston Celtics: Players welcome coaching change
Weiss describes the relationship between Walker and Stevens as “tense” during the season. Apparently, the coach is said to have been tougher towards Walker than to other star players and, among other things, to pillory him for mistakes in defense. Although there were often verbal arguments between the two, both are said to have respected each other.
Apparently, after his move to the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020 offseason, Gordon Hayward advised Stevens to be harder with his star players. Nevertheless, he is said to have given preferential treatment to Marcus Smart, for example, which was probably not well received in the cabin. Therefore, several players are said to have welcomed the move from Stevens to the front office.
Who will be the new strong man on the sidelines is currently still open. Chauncey Billups (Clippers-Assistant), Ime Udoka (Nets-Assistant) and Darvin Ham (Bucks-Assistant) are considered to have good chances.
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