Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish needs to see more from current Celtics head coach Brad Stevens before he’s ready to lavish him with praise.
Speaking with the folks on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Parish said the media gives Stevens too much credit this early in his career.
“I think he gets a little too much praise, but I like what he’s doing,” Parish said (h/t ESPN). “They’re giving him all the love like he won three or four championships. Come on now. Win something first, with all the love he’s getting. Now granted, don’t get me wrong, he’s a solid coach, I’ll give him that. The love he’s getting from the media, you’d think the Celtics won two or three championships. You would think.”
For what it’s worth, Stevens himself admitted he’s uncomfortable with all the praise.
“It’s silly,” said Stevens. “The praise is uncomfortable, and it’s just something that these guys should be getting it all. We all have a role to play, and we all need to play that role as well as we can.”
Still, it’s not surprising that many in the media, along with plenty of fans, are enamored with what Stevens has done in Boston.
The Celtics have overcome incredible obstacles throughout the 2017-18 season, losing superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward for the season due to injuries. And now they’re just three wins away from competing for a championship in the 2018 NBA Finals after spanking LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Stevens is a big reason why the Celtics have overachieved. His ability to scheme to his team’s strengths while attacking his opponent’s weaknesses is a huge asset. That said, it’s also not surprising that Parish, a man who won four championships, wants to see more.