The Genius of Brad Stevens

The word genius is often tossed about haphazardly in the world of sports, with the label being applied in many cases either prematurely or inaccurately.

However, that doesn't stop anyone from doing it.

Boston just took a 3-0 lead on the 76ers with a 101-98 overtime win in Philly, a victory that was aided greatly by the play-calling prowess of Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.

Just ask Al Horford:

 

Actually, this probably isn't your standard hyperbole.

Dude might actually be a genius, in the context of basketball, anyway.

 

The former Butler boy wonder drew up a couple of gems to place the Sixers firmly on the brink of elimination.

 

That was Jaylen Brown tying the game late in regulation.

 

And that was Horford with the game-winner in OT.

You'll notice that both of these plays were directly out of time-outs and produced layups off of the inbounds pass.

 

Of course, this is nothing new for the 41-year-old Stevens, who's widely regarded as one of the more skilled whiteboard users in the game.

The man clearly knows what he's doing.

 

If he can draw up a strategy to contain LeBron in the Eastern Conference finals, then we may be forced to worship him as a deity.