Brad Stevens will have his projected starting lineup together Wednesday night for the first time all season. At the end of the night the Celtics could be in first place. So when the Boston coach joined the Sports Hub’s Zo & Bertrand, Wednesday he was eager to talk about the topic on every Boston’s fans’ mind.
Tom Brady.
Stevens’ career has put him adjacent to quite a bit of elite quarterback play. He was at Butler when Peyton Manning was across town with the Indianapolis Colts. Stevens and Bill Belichick have a close relationship. The Celtics coach has spent time with the Patriots watching practice and in meetings. He is still rooting for Brady in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers head to the Super Bowl.
“We’ve been so super spoiled since I’ve been here seven years ago let alone the last 20 years,” Stevens said. “For Tom, I’m just happy for him. I’m happy for his success. He approaches things the right way. He’s obviously a great teammate and an incredible, incredible quarterback and leader.”
When Manning left the Colts for the Broncos, his neck injury diminished his skills, but Stevens said the intangible he brought was more valuable. He thought Brady had brought the same intangible to Florida with a higher skill level.
“When Peyton left Indy, he went to Denver and had those runs. Knowing the impact that that level of leader, with that level of experience, can have on the belief of a team, even if they’re not as good as they were 20 years ago, which doesn’t look like the case with Tom, is amazing,” Stevens said. “That’s the thing most people don’t understand. The belief that that person can bring. The confidence that gives to other people, not only players but coaches. We can get over the hump right now. We can make to a different level than maybe we thought before because he thinks we can. That’s really, really special.
“I’m sure Tom has taken everything he’s lived in the past 20 years with him,” Stevens continued. “There’s a lot I’m sure he’s been able to reflect back on, that has helped this team quite a bit. That’s the cool part about the story.”
Stevens brushed off the Brady vs. Belichick debate.
“They’re two of the best to ever do it,” he said. “I understand we’ve got to talk about something for two weeks, but they’re both super special. They gave us all a heck of a run. It’s pretty fun to watch (Brady) stay on that run for another week and a half.”
Related content:
Tom Brady almost wore No. 7 with Buccaneers, because he was aiming for Super Bowl No. 7