“(Brad Stevens Doesn’t) Owe It to Them” – Celtics Roster Needs Update Despite “Run It Back” Calls, Says Mark Jackson

The dust is yet to settle on the celebration but the talks for running it back have already begun for the Boston Celtics. Once again the pressure would be on the reigning NBA champion and NBA Basketball Executive of the year. Brad Stevens helped build the team that could deliver the trophy after 16 years of wait. Magic Johnson sent a congratulatory message to the Celtics executive for his shrewd business. Even Mark Jackson is impressed but believes the upgrades are necessary for competing next season.

“I always believe in 17 years of playing and three years of coaching to always look to upgrade and that’s just the nature of the business.” Mark Jackson said on his podcast The Mark Jackson Show episode 61. His son Bluu asked if there was any merit from the Celtics fans for “run it back” chants. He also asked if the Celtics had enough firepower for next season or if should they be looking to upgrade.

Mark Jackson said the other teams would look to upgrade to stay on par with them upgrades are necessary. But said there shouldn’t be any pressure on Stevens from Celtics fans. “If I’m running I’m Brad Stevens, I don’t owe it to them to ‘run it back.’ No that’s foolish to me… at the end of the day we were the best team in 2024… now we are talking about moving forward, let’s continue to enhance this lineup.” 

Jackson believes the team should be in a position to compete. Being the 2024 champions and taking one step at a time the team should enhance. By adding depth and adding younger players. Improvement should be the key. But one should also remember to not make it drastic he opines. For, a little experience always makes a team better.

Brad Stevens made quite a few trades this season that turned out to be a crucial for the Celtics triumph. His acquisitions included Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, whose combined talent on both ends of the court, led Celtics to tie their net rating of plus-11.6 with 2016-17 Warriors – the third best in the league.

Former Champion agrees with Mark Jackson’s analysis

Speaking of Jrue Holiday’s acquisitions, Mark Jackson commended Stevens for grabbing on the opportunity to bring in the guard. The Celtics weren’t exactly in the best position to bring in Holiday when he suddenly became available before the beginning of the season. But as a two-way player quite suitable for the roster to make a better point guard, the team brought him in, after sending Brogdon and Robert Williams III to the Blazers.

Considering the impact he has had on the Celtics, even the former champion who ‘hates’ the team for officially having more titles than the Lakers was praising Brad Stevens.

“Celtics GM Brad Stevens trading for Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Prozingis was an MVP move that made the Celtics the best team in basketball this year!” said Magic Johnson. “Adding Holiday made them the perimeter defending team in the league, and adding Prozingis made them the most explosive offensive and best starting 5 in basketball this year!”

The Celtics did it flawlessly. As a team, as individuals, and as professionals, the Celtics always seemed to be the best team this season. Now, they have a banner to show for it.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.