Brad Stevens: Never Appropriate To Question Family-First Approach
BOSTON (CBS) -- There's been a whole lot of hoopla surrounding Al Horford missing Monday night's Celtics game to stay with his wife and newborn daughter.
Well, hoopla everywhere but the Celtics locker room. Boston head coach Brad Stevens joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand for his weekly interview on Wednesday, and said Horford's decision was never an issue with the team.
"I would never question somebody's intentions when it comes to prioritizing their family. That's the No. 1 thing. As I said yesterday, our most important responsibilities is as sons, husbands and fathers. Al is a great role model in a lot of ways and a great role model in that regard too," said Stevens. "I don't think it's ever appropriate to question the idea of family coming first."
Stevens said this was an important factor in his decision to leave his job at Butler, essentially coaching in his hometown, to come to Boston in 2013.
"One of the things that has made this such a great place for us and a great transition for my family is how the Celtics have treated us and how much of a priority it has been from ownership on down. It's not just talk, it's been that way since we got here," he said.
Stevens said the team was well aware that the Horfords were expecting and the big man could miss some time when he joined the team as a free agent over the summer, and added that they make it a point to make sure all their players get as much family time as possible throughout the course of the season.
"Being happy and playing when happy is incredibly important. It's something that has always been a belief of mine," said Stevens.
The C's head coach also touched on Wednesday night's tilt against the Detroit Pistons, and the Miami Heat's strategy against "hotheaded" Marcus Smart on Monday night:
