Brad Stevens is officially beginning his reign over the Boston Celtics when the head coach was introduced to the media this week. The 36-year old is certainly taking a lot on in a short amount of time. This will be his first stint coaching in the professional league after being the head coach of Butler. He is taking on a team in a very large transitioning phase after trading away two future Hall of Fame players and saying goodbye to their long-time head coach. The biggest storyline now is not Stevens' age of lack of NBA experience, but more so his relationship with point guard Rajon Rondo.
For the moment at least, Rondo is a member of the Boston Celtics. How long lasts remains to be seen, but both player and coach are excited to be working with each other. Rondo has admitted in the past that he is a difficult person to coach. His close relationship with Rivers led to the two getting frustrated with one another and he had a "big brother" relationship with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. That is all gone. Not much has been heard from the point guard as he rehabs from a torn ACL, but sources report he is happy with Stevens.
The Boston Globe reports that Rondo is looking forward to working with Stevens and is completely "open minded" to the hire. The two have apparently already spoken with one another. Stevens said in his introductory press conference that he would love to coach Rondo and said "there is no bigger fan of Rajon Rondo than me."
Both Danny Ainge and Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck remain adamant that Rondo remains with the Celtics. Grousbeck believes that Rondo truly wants to be a part of the Boston organization and certainly part of the rebuilding plan of the future.
"I have absolutely no doubt Rajon Rondo wants to win another banner with the Celtics. And with this coach is the plan. It's clear what way we're going here. And I'm very confident Rondo will be a huge part of it," Grousbeck said.
Those statements echo Ainge's thoughts, although the general manager said he would always listen when teams called. The Detroit Pistons were the first to make that phone call. It was reported the Celtics certainly listened to the Pistons' offer, but nothing else has come from the phone call. Time will tell what happens with the situation. It will headline the NBA offseason once Dwight Howard picks a team. Both Stevens and Rondo have a lot to prove and it might be on the same team.
