The Boston Celtics undoubtedly have plenty they hope to accomplish during the 2020-21 season, but Brad Stevens wants to take things one step at a time.
As the Celtics prepare for Wednesday night's regular-season opener vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, Stevens was asked on Tuesday about his team's season-long goals. The C's head coach gave a candid answer.
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“We just got beat by 30 in our last preseason game. I’m just worried about tomorrow night’s first few minutes,” Stevens said. "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.”
It's a fair point from Stevens, who watched hopelessly as Boston was blown out the Brooklyn Nets in Friday night's preseason finale. The C's shot a putrid 8-for-45 (17.8 percent) from 3-point range in the eye-opening defeat. Bouncing back from that performance should be the only thing on their minds entering Wednesday night.
Celtics vs. Bucks is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET.