April Coaching Notebook
ZAK BOISVERT – NOVEMBER 2017 COACHING NOTES Boston's early adversity is putting Stevens' magic touch to the test (ESPN.com) -Even down an All-Star, Stevens has been careful not to temper expectations for his Hayward-less team. Instead, he has put an even greater focus on his typical "get better each day" philosophy. While observers ponder if the Celtics can still compete for a top spot in the Eastern Conference, Stevens focuses on the next day, the next practice, the next possession. -The Celtics, with an average age of 25.06 years, are the fifth-youngest team, according to the NBA's roster survey conducted at the start of the season, trailing only the Suns (24.49), 76ers (24.65), Lakers (24.89) and Trail Blazers (24.89). To combat his team from getting caught up in its overall lack of experience, Stevens won't allow his players to use age as a crutch. "Let's beat the age thing. Let's not talk about the age thing," Stevens said. "Let's talk about how we can be better at what we can control and how we can learn and grow every day and everybody expedite the learning curve.” Added Stevens: "If we're not committed to getting better, individually and collectively, then we're not good enough. If we are, we'll see what happens. But that's the only way to go about that." -"When he establishes [players' roles] and when he's explaining that everyone has to be great in their role and collectively have to be great -- every single detail is important, every person is important.
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