If Stevens hired Carlisle he would basically be admitting that the Celtics needed a better on-court coach and not a more diverse voice or a coach who could better relate to his players.
A candidate for several jobs is former Celtic Chauncey Billups, an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers who also emerged as a priority for the Trail Blazers and Pelicans.
He’s going to have a chance to go to a team with a fresh start, having his own blueprint on the team, what he expects, what he wants.
Him being able to communicate and being able to teach PG at the point guard position how to make plays, what he’s looking for in different situations, and he’s been working with PG all year.
“Just seeing him on the floor coaching a 5-on-5 game, steadily improved and he’s done a great job,” Lue said.
Billups was Larry Brown’s starting point guard on the 2004 Detroit Pistons championship team that is considered one of the best defensive teams of the era.
I think the fact that he wanted to sit on the bench next to Ty Lue, to me meant a lot because I don’t think, I know a lot of guys have gone into and done it well, I think it’s really, really critical if you really want to grow to be able to sit on the bench and learn.
I know Brad and I know his values and I think those guys’ values fit right in with him and the Celtics.
Instead, he spent time as a television analyst and talked with the Cleveland Cavaliers about a possible general manager position before joining the Clippers.
“Well, I think our whole — my vision, because I was close with him when I was in Cleveland and he just didn’t want to coach,” Lue said.