Brad Stevens, Doc Rivers talked Celtics chemistry ‘several times' last season

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Brad Stevens had his hands full with last season's Boston Celtics team. But he wasn't alone in his efforts.

In a recent chat with The Boston Globe's Gary Washburn, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said he talked to Stevens -- who succeeded Rivers as Celtics head coach in 2013 -- on several occasions during the 2018-19 season.

"He’s a great basketball mind; we call each other during the season,” Rivers told Washburn. "I called Brad several times last year to ask his opinion about certain guys, certain players, certain situations. He does the same with me."

The two had plenty to discuss during unexpected seasons for both clubs, as a talented Celtics team underachieved while the scrappy Clippers exceeded expectations. According to Rivers, chemistry was a mainstay on the agenda.

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"Brad and I talked several times about team chemistry," Rivers added. “Brad had a young team. They have that first year where they go to the Eastern Conference finals and the next year, the assumption of winning is a dangerous thing. Young players assume we’ll be back next year and the same thing will happen and you find out that that’s not so.

"Experience will be invaluable. You’ll see [Jayson] Tatum and [Jaylen] Brown, those guys will be much better because of it."

Stevens and the Celtics were unable to solve their chemistry puzzle last season. But with Kyrie Irving out and Kemba Walker in as part of an offseason overhaul, there's reason to believe this C's team will get along a bit more.

And if they hit bumps in the road, Stevens knows who to call.

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