Pope of Basketball.

Summary

Brad Stevens, at 29, transitioned from a marketing director at Eli Lilly to a volunteer basketball coach at Butler University, showcasing his passion for basketball. Despite skepticism about his career choice, he became an assistant coach at Butler in 2001. His impressive coaching record led him to be appointed as the head coach of the Celtics in 2013, where he faced significant challenges after major player trades. Stevens accepted the daunting task of rebuilding the Celtics, leading a team of undervalued players to a playoff appearance in the 2014-15 season. By the 2016-17 season, under his leadership, the Celtics shocked many by finishing first in the Eastern Conference, despite facing a formidable Cavaliers team. Yang Rui, recognizing Stevens' potential, sought to support his growth as a coach. When Stevens received a call from Lakers' GM Kupchak for an interview, he initially doubted its authenticity. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, he found himself the sole candidate and impressed Yang Rui with his tactical insights during the interview. His understanding of the Lakers' tactics and his innovative ideas for utilizing marginal players resonated well with the management, leading to his confirmation as the new assistant coach.

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