Larry Bird Backed Brad Stevens as Celtics Coach: 'He'll Do Fine'

Larry Bird vouched for Brad Stevens when the Celtics hired him as coach in 2013, declaring, 'He'll do fine.' The Hall of Famer’s confidence in Stevens-then a rising college coach-proved spot-on as Stevens guided Boston to multiple playoff runs and a 2022 NBA Finals appearance.

What Did Larry Bird Say?

Bird, then a Pacers executive, praised Stevens’ basketball IQ and leadership. 'He’s got a great mind for the game,' Bird said at the time. 'He’ll do fine.' Critics questioned Stevens’ lack of NBA experience, but Bird saw potential.

Why It Matters for Larry Bird

Bird’s endorsement carried weight. A legendary player and executive, he understood talent. His backing helped ease doubts about Stevens, who had just led Butler to back-to-back NCAA title games. Stevens rewarded Bird’s faith by becoming one of the NBA’s top coaches.

How Did Stevens Perform?

Stevens’ Celtics made the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, including a 2018 Eastern Conference Finals run. He later became team president, overseeing Boston’s 2022 Finals appearance. Bird’s early support looks even smarter now.

Stevens’ success validated Bird’s eye for talent. The Celtics’ rise under Stevens mirrored Bird’s own career-proving that great basketball minds recognize greatness.