Brad Stevens isn’t going to get caught looking ahead.
While much of the conversation around these Celtics has been about their future and what trades they might make (don’t forget they have the biggest trade exception ever!) and whether they can finally get over the conference finals hump this season and, if not, what they need to do to do so, Stevens’ focus is firmly on Wednesday night’s season-opener against the Bucks.
“We just got beat by 30 in our last preseason game. I’m just worried about tomorrow night’s first few minutes,” Stevens said on Tuesday when asked about expectations for this season. “When you coach in Boston and you play in Boston, there’s one goal that never changes year to year. Each team’s different, and we’ll see if we get good enough to be in that conversation. We certainly haven’t been yet, but you shouldn’t be two or three weeks in.
“We have a long, long way to go to be in that conversation. So it’s more about proving that we belong in it with our play and not any predictions or not any prognostications. I think that’s where we are. If we’re fortunate enough to play well throughout the year, then I’ll have a better feel for answer that question later. Each team’s different. Each team has its own set of challenges and strengths.”
To Stevens’ point, the Celtics are far from a finished product right now. Veteran free agent signing Tristan Thompson may be ready for opening night after missing both preseason games with a hamstring injury, but there will be a process there of getting him up to speed and him getting comfortable with his new teammates.
There are also rookies Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard, who may develop into key contributors for these Celtics, but who have so far had just a few weeks of NBA practices and still have a lot of learning to do. Last year’s first-round pick, Romeo Langford, could also eventually be a contributor this season, but he’s currently working his way back from wrist surgery and is likely still a couple months away.
Then there is of course the biggest piece in this puzzle of uncertainty: Kemba Walker. The point guard received a stem cell injection in his ever-bothersome left knee this offseason and is out until at least some time in January, with Stevens saying Tuesday that he’s “still a long way away.” Whether Walker can eventually get back to his old self may very well determine just how deep the Celtics can go this season.
Despite the short offseason and quick buildup to the new season and all the uncertainty and concerns, including the aforementioned preseason loss to the Nets (which, for the record, was actually 24 points, not 30… despite feeling like the latter), Stevens said there is still an air of excitement around the team ahead of Wednesday night.
“We’re excited about it,” Stevens said. “All that stuff as far as how much time between seasons and everything else, everything gets thrown out the window tomorrow when a new season starts and you have a new opportunity. The challenges are great. We have a lot of growth that has to occur on this team for this team to be good, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”