Robb: Tightening The Celtics Rotation Produces Immediate Results For Brad Stevens
BOSTON (CBS) – Coaching in the NBA continues to be a learning process for Brad Stevens in his third pro season. Saddled with expectations for the first time while coaching the Celtics, Stevens has struggled to find consistency in his rotations while managing a roster with plenty of evenness and extensive depth in the frontcourt.
Boston remains above the .500 mark, but the team's up and down play has taken its toll on the players. The depth that was supposed to be a weapon for Boston has turned into somewhat of a curse on certain nights, according to Jae Crowder.
"We haven't built our identity yet as a unit," Crowder told reporters following a 110-91 blowout loss to the Magic Sunday. "Coaching staff hasn't figured it out yet. We don't have set rotations. A lot of guys don't know where we're going to play or what time we're going to play. It's affecting us a little bit. We've got to figure it out as a unit, figure it out as a coaching staff. We gotta build our identity in who we want to be. We're a month into the season and we haven't figured it out."
The floor time numbers validate Crowder's assessment in regards to player uncertainty. Eleven players are averaging 10 or more minutes per game and Brad Stevens has played at least 10 players in every contest this season.
It's easy to understand why the head coach is trying to mix and match so much with this group despite his limited success. Danny Ainge has constructed a roster that contains players with several overlapping skill sets, as well as little talent separation amongst the starting five and bench unit.
Stevens is searching for consistent performers in those groupings, but outside of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger, few Celtics have shown they can be counted on for productive minutes on a nightly basis.
It's unclear just how much the volatile playing time is affecting the actual performance of specific individuals, but it's an issue that Thomas feels the players must get a handle on.
"Just as players, we've got to separate ourselves," Thomas said. "You've got to play well. And, until then, the minutes are probably going to be like they are because he's trying to find the best player to play at that particular time."
On Monday night, Stevens decided to heed Crowder's advice and tighten the leash on certain lineups. The starting lineup was in a groove, while the second unit (outside of Evan Turner) were not carrying their weight, especially in the fourth quarter. In response, Stevens stuck with his starters for big minutes, playing six players more than 30 minutes for the first time all year.
The decision paid dividends immediately as Boston held off a fourth quarter surge from the Heat to leave town with an impressive 105-95 win.
It's too early to tell whether the shift will translate to future contests for Stevens' rotation, but the improved clarity in the interim should come in handy with three touch road matchups looming in the next six days.
Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.