NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 22: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Brooklyn Nets in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center at Barclays Center on May 22, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
With the Boston Celtics in a 0-2 hole against the Brooklyn Nets in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, Brad Stevens is on the hot seat.
Is Brad Stevens’ tenure in Boston nearing its end?
The 44-year-old coach has been with the Celtics since 2013 and found reasonable success. But with his team facing an 0-2 deficit against a star-studded Brooklyn Nets squad, one has to wonder if a Nets sweep would turn up the heat even more.
We’re not saying Stevens should be fired, but he may have just worn off his welcome in Boston. It certainly feels like things could be reaching a breaking point between him and Celtics GM Danny Ainge.
Could a Nets sweep jeopardize Brad Stevens’ future in Boston?
Stevens boasts a 354-282 regular-season record (.557) as an NBA head coach and the Celtics have made the playoffs in all but the first of his eight seasons with Boston. However, with the two losses thus far in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, his post-season record has now dipped below .500 (37-38).
Losing in blowout fashion like the Celtics did Tuesday night and potentially going winless in this series would be an awful way to cap what’s been a disappointing season for them altogether. After a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, they finished fourth in the Atlantic Division this season, their worst result since 2013-2014.
The pre-season expectations were much higher for the Celtics, who had to win a play-in game just to get to this point. They’ve drawn a much tougher opponent in the first round than you’d want to see.
That said, an 0-2 deficient is not insurmountable, and the Celtics have a chance to get even at home. One might think Stevens’ future in Boston depends on it.