Miles providing Celtics with unique scouting job
Boston assistant spent four seasons with Warriors
The man who oversees the Boston Celtics’ scouting report on the Golden State Warriors had quite the preparation advantage.
Before he joined Boston as an assistant coach last summer, Aaron Miles spent four seasons with Golden State: two as its G League head coach and two as a player-development coach with the NBA club. His wealth of knowledge about Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and others has provided the Celtics an underrated edge in these Finals.
When Boston entered the fourth quarter of Game 1 down by 12 on Thursday night, Miles encouraged his players to get more physical defensively. The Warriors — a finesse team built around ball movement — often struggle against opponents with the Celtics’ blend of tenacity and length.
Visibly bothered by Boston’s rugged defense, Golden State saw a 92-80 lead devolve into a 120-108 loss. Over the next two days, as the Warriors reviewed video and made necessary adjustments for Game 2, the Celtics again relied on Miles’ expertise.
“He was with this organization for a few years,” Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said of Miles’ ties to the Warriors. “So this is one of his scouts, and we lean on him for some of the insight and traits of their guys. And I think it’s benefited all of us going forward.”
During his almost halfdecade with the Warriors, Miles built a reputation as a players’ coach — the type of leader who could relate to anyone on the roster and offer a sounding board in trying times. His hands-on approach was a driving force behind Andrew Wiggins’ smooth transition with Golden State after being traded from Minnesota at the 2020 deadline.
Miles was also instrumental in Juan Toscano-Anderson’s development. By overhauling Toscano-Anderson’s shooting mechanics and teaching him all that goes into being an NBA role player, Miles helped him become the Warriors’ biggest feel-good story last season.
When Udoka was hired as the Celtics’ head coach last June, Miles was one of the first people he called. The two had known each other for three decades. Both Portland, Ore., natives who starred on different teams at local powerhouse Jefferson High, Udoka believed that his familiarity with Miles would help ease his acclimation process in Boston.
When the Celtics were struggling early in the season, Miles begged Udoka to show players his fiery side. Udoka resisted. But when Udoka finally felt the time was right, he began to get more emotional — something that delighted his childhood friend.
The Udoka-Miles bond, as well as the one they share with Celtics assistant and fellow Portland native Damon Stoudamire, helped this new coaching staff foster a family-oriented environment in Boston. Miles has gotten especially close to Jayson Tatum, who is cementing himself as a face of the NBA’s next generation.
In the immediate afterglow of his team’s Game 1 win, Udoka mentioned that the Celtics can play a lot better. Tatum, for example, is bound to shoot much better than the 3-for-17 dud he put up Thursday.
Miles’ experience with the Warriors was expected to help Tatum rebound with a big Game 2. It’s one of many reasons the Celtics like their odds in these Finals.
“He’s obviously very well respected around the league for his player development,” Udoka said of Miles. “He worked with a lot of guys here in Golden State. And he’s done that with Jayson, as well. Basically, had his hands on Jayson all year.”