Stevens backs Walker in loss
Says OKC made ‘good defensive play’
From what Brad Stevens could tell, Kemba Walker did the right thing when trapped off an inbounds play with 8.5 seconds left.
The Celtics guard attempted to dribble to the other side of the floor with a 104-103 lead in hand, only for Dennis Schroder to glide in, steal the ball, and score the winning basket.
“I know he’s down about it, but they made a good defensive play on that,” said the Celtics coach.
But Walker had a lot to get on himself about after the Celtics’ 105-104 loss to Oklahoma City. In his three games since returning from a knee-related absence, Walker has shot 15-for-47, including 7-for-28 from downtown.
There is a silver lining here.
“The knee is good, really good,” he said. “I’m definitely happy about that.”
Now Walker’s game simply has to catch up.
Williams hurt
Though Stevens didn’t know the details, but Rob Williams left the game after turning an ankle early in the fourth quarter. His status for today’s flight to Indiana was uncertain.
“All I know is they said he wasn’t available, he is available, he wasn’t available,” said Stevens. “I guess he went back and forth.”
Olympic future?
Germany can still qualify for the Olympics with success in this summer’s men’s qualifying tournament, and from what Schroder can see, his old friend Daniel Theis may play a prominent role.
“Over the years he became the leader. On the German national team I think he still has a long way to go if we’re going to be successful as a team,” the Oklahoma City guard said before Sunday night’s game against the Celtics. “We need his leadership for sure, same as Maxi Kleber from the Dallas Mavericks. When they take it to the next level, we’ll be really, really good. But he’s already a helluva player.”
“I’ve known him since he was 15 years old. He’s made it in the best league in the world, and he just has to keep working, keep getting his mind right, and you have a long career,” said Schroder.
Celebrating women
The NBA celebrated International Women’s Day Sunday, with strong representation in basketball operations thanks to assistant coach Kara Lawson and Allison Feaster, the team’s director of player development.
“They’re excellent,” said Stevens. “Allison has been incredible in her role. She can dive deep into helping someone, not only with being a pro at the game, but also in expanding themselves and looking at what they like off the court, and how they can maximize their career while in it. Also prepare for what’s next. She’s excellent. And Kara has been terrific as well. I think she’s a special coach — you could always tell when she was playing and hear it when she was calling games. When you get a chance to live it every day she’s good, she’s really, really good.”
Preparing for worst
The NBA, via memos to the teams, has been preparing in the event the coronavirus outbreak forces the league to shut off games to the public, as well as other basic precautions to protect the health of players.
But the Celtics haven’t spent much time as a group discussing the issue.
“We had doctors in last week. I know that our corporate office has and they’re in constant contact with the NBA,” said Stevens.