Boston Celtics’ playoff run is proving that Brad Stevens doesn’t need a star PG

The Boston Celtics haven’t skipped a beat in Kyrie Irving’s absence. And it speaks to how head coach Brad Stevens doesn’t need a star point guard to win

The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals 107-94 to take a 2-0 series lead. And in every passing postseason win without Kyrie Irving, the Celtics are showing how a star point guard is not a necessity in head coach Brad Stevens’ system.

Irving is arguably one of the five best point guards in the NBA, when healthy. He has the best handles in the game, can play in isolation, get to the hoop with ease, and stick pull-up jumpers. Averaging 24.4 points per game on a career-best 49.1 percent shooting from the field, he was astonishing for Stevens and the Celtics in the 60 games he played. He embraced being the focal point of their offense and operated with a more selfless mentality.

Irving doing so without Gordon Hayward – who went down for the year on opening night with a fractured ankle – made his success even more remarkable.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

Finishing the 2017-18 regular season with 55 wins, the Celtics were able to snatch the second seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. However, Stevens and the Celtics were dealt a crushing blow a couple of weeks beforehand. After receiving a second opinion on a knee injury, it was determined that Irving would have to miss the remainder of the regular season and whatever postseason play the Celtics stumble upon.

Many figured the Celtics were done. They didn’t stand a chance to escape the East, let alone the first round. Then, they willed their way to a seven-game series win against the Milwaukee Bucks, demolished the Philadelphia 76ers in five games, and have taken a 2-0 lead on LeBron James and the Cavs. Yes, the team and player that Irving requested a trade from is losing to the Celtics without his presence.

Stevens’ system is built on defensive commitment and selfless play. Look at the players the Celtics are leaning on for production in the playoffs. Terry Rozier had shown the ability to provide a defensive presence before this season, but never manned a significant role until Irving got injured. As soon as the star point guard went down, the scrappy Rozier stepped in and has been remarkable.

Averaging 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, he’s been a two-way force in the postseason. Whether it be finding the open man, attacking the rack, or locking down his cover, Rozier has been, by far, the best guard in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Alongside Rozier, the Celtics are heavily relying on swingman Jaylen Brown and rookie forward Jayson Tatum to contribute offensively. Averaging 17.8 and 18.1 points per game, Brown and Tatum have been reliable offensive outlets. They’re athletic, can get to the hole, and play fearless on that end of the floor. Center Al Horford has also contributed 17.1 points per game in postseason play.

Look at the players the Celtics have moved on from in recent memory and where they are now. The most notable transaction for Boston in the Stevens’ era has been trading a package headlined by Isaiah Thomas for Irving. In his final year with Boston, Thomas averaged a career-high 28.9 points per game which was third in the NBA and contributed a great deal to him finishing fifth in MVP-voting.

And even though Thomas was a huge piece to the puzzle in the Celtics making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, the organization felt that trading him, a lottery pick, a second-rounder, fan-favorite Jae Crowder, and center Ante Zizic for Irving was an appropriate course of action. Based on how things have fared since the trade can you blame Boston?

Thomas missed the first two months of the regular season with a hip injury and was unable to fit in with James, Kevin Love, head coach Tyronn Lue, and company. He also became the center of attention in Cleveland when he accused Love of faking an injury. After 15 games, Cleveland decided they had enough, trading Thomas, Channing Frye and a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for combo guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr. Today, they’re still looking for consistency at guard.

While Crowder continues to provide an impact defensively and serves as a three-point shooting threat, the forward has been traded twice in the last two years. Shooting guard Avery Bradley was also dealt at the NBA trade deadline to the Los Angeles Clippers after Boston traded him and a second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons for Morris in the offseason.

What’s the bottom line? The Celtics have become the modern-day San Antonio Spurs; whoever they bring in contributes and fits their system. And when they choose to move on from key rotation players, they don’t suffer at all.

The Celtics have seven players averaging double figures in this year’s playoffs. On the other hand, their Eastern Conference Finals’ opponent (the Cavaliers) has three.

It’s nothing against Irving; he’s arguably a top ten player in the NBA when healthy. But Stevens doesn’t need him or another top-flight point guard to succeed. Now does this mean president Danny Ainge should prioritize trading Irving this offseason a year before he hits the open market as an unrestricted free agent? Not necessarily, but if Boston can get a couple of higher-end players and/or a high draft pick, isn’t it a prospect worth, at the very least, considering?

Must Read: Boston Celtics: Should Danny Ainge seriously consider trading his superstar?

If the Boston Celtics had Irving right now, they could be an even more lethal squad. They’d have a proven go-to scoring option and an electric player around their gritty roster, but it’s certainly no guarantee that the Celtics would be significantly better. The Celtics are two wins away from advancing to the NBA Finals without Irving playing a single postseason game. Last year, they won just one game versus the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals and were without Thomas in their lone win.

Boston’s success is generated from its head coach and not one player — not even Irving.