Kyrie Irving and Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens aren’t having any problems adjusting to one another.
On the contrary, when asked about his relationship with the clipboard sage, specifically in late-game situations, Irving could only talk about how easy it has been for the two of them to forge chemistry, per the Boston Globe (via HoopsHype):
The relationship between Irving and coach Brad Stevens is building in late-game situations, but Irving said Saturday it’s pretty much a teacher-student relationship. “There’s open dialogue but we prepare for [late in games],” Irving said. “He understands the talent that I have at that point, especially in the fourth quarter. But I also understand his brilliant mind, so when we’re preparing for walkthroughs or simulating situations then it’s kind of easy to go off one another. I’m able to see the reads and what’s going to happen and he makes the play calls. We’re just continuously building that trust for one another, so it’s pretty easy.”
“Pretty easy” is a pretty accurate description of the development behind this coach-player marriage. Though the Celtics rank 21st overall in points scored per 100 possessions, they’re fifth in that same category during clutch play, when they pile on 125.3 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com. And Irving has particularly excelled in these situations, shooting 57.6 percent from the floor while posting a plus-32—third-highest mark on the team.
Basically, whatever dynamic Stevens and Irving subscribe to is working. It’ll be interesting to see how their relationship weathers rougher patches; the Celtics have won 15 in a row, but they’ve played through the league’s sixth-easiest schedule. That party will end at some point.
For now, though, it sure looks like they’re in a for a long string of success. And given Stevens’ track record of reaching players from all walks of skill, it’s fair to count on the current good vibes becoming something of the norm in Boston.
