Brad Stevens: Celtics Need Jaylen Brown To Make His Biggest Impact On Defense
BOSTON (CBS) -- Brad Stevens' fourth year on the Boston bench begins Wednesday night, as the Celtics tip off their 2016-17 schedule at home against the Brooklyn Nets.
After making the playoffs two straight years and adding Al Horford to a 48-win team over the offseason, the expectations are through the roof for Stevens' squad this season. Stevens is staying pretty even-keeled though, hoping to continue to see the progress the team has shown over the last two seasons.
The head coach joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand for his weekly interview on Wednesday, and doesn't sound very worried about integrating Horford into his system. Stevens says the versatile big man is the perfect fit.
"We've said from Day 1 he's a great fit how we like to play on both ends of the floor. When you add someone as accomplished as him, you figure out how to make whatever you're doing fit to him fit. But it was pretty clear with the way we like to play on offense and defense and the way he's played in the NBA, it was a great fit," said Stevens. "He's a 30-year-old four-time all-star that is one of the higher earners in the league, and down the line is as humble of a teammate as there is. Those are important qualities when talking about what is otherwise a pretty young team still."
Stevens said Horford's passing will create a lot of easy looks for the rest of the team.
"There's contagiousness to the way he plays; he moves the ball and is a very, very unselfish guy, despite the fact he's accomplished what he has accomplished," the coach added.
Stevens also touched on the addition of Jaylen Brown, the third overall pick in June's draft. The young forward had a nice preseason, showing off his athleticism with a few highlight reel dunks, but Stevens said the biggest impact the rookie can make is on the defensive end of the floor.
"He's had some really good moments but he's had moments he can really improve on. We need him to be a really good defender, first and foremost. When you look at his body, his ability to move, his physical strengths and his mind, he should be a really good defender that is able to guard a number of spots," said Stevens. "Everything else will take care of itself with him; he'll make enough shots and be able to score, sometimes on the block and sometimes on the perimeter, but [defense] is the No. 1 thing as we head on in the early part of the season, and that's tough to do."
Stevens also touched on the Boston bench, which young players impressed him during training camp and the preseason, and who he's rooting for in the World Series. Listen to the full interview below: