Brad Stevens: First of all, if you bring our whole group back, that’s great. Our group was really connected. We’re going to obviously add two really good players that weren’t playing at the end of the year. We’re kind of in a unique situation.
Boston Celtics Rumors
What did you think of Jayson Tatum’s growth? Brad Stevens: I think he can get a lot better. He did some incredible things. No. 1 is his durability. He played 99 games. My only concern going into the playoffs was his minutes. We were very alert to that, especially because he dipped a little in January, and really took to heart how important nutrition, the weight room, and the training room are. I think if you talk to anyone down there, he took it to a different level in those areas and just continued to rise as the season went on and played great all season. But he can get better.
Brad Stevens: Two years ago we knew we were picking Jaylen. It was clear as day. And Terry Rozier the year before was pretty clear. Q. Terry was clear in the days leading up to the draft? A. A month. Right after our season ended I remember Danny walking in and talking about, ‘Watch Terry Rozier.’ He wasn’t listed necessarily quite that high, but Danny was really sold on him. Every year is a little different but you can kind of tell what he likes.
Mark Murphy: Stevens naturally wants Smart back: “Everybody in the building would tell you we would love to have Marcus back. Marcus has been great here – a big part of our DNA.”
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said forward Gordon Hayward is doing “great” following a May 31 procedure to remove a plate and screws from his surgically repaired left leg. “All success,” Stevens said. “Everything is good and pointed toward being back exactly where he was — hopefully pain-free, because that plate is taken out — in the middle of July, which probably points to an early August, mid August fully cleared time frame.”
Stevens said he plans to fill the void created by assistant coach Walter McCarty’s departure internally. McCarty was named the University of Evansville’s head coach in March.
