BOSTON — Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens reaffirmed Wednesday that much of the rumors that emerge this time of year are rarely based in truth and laughed off the noise that currently surrounds his team.
Asked before Wednesday’s visit from the Charlotte Hornets how he deals with persistent rumors, Stevens suggested he hears much of it but said that his NBA experience has taught him that rarely are the whispers true.
“The NBA is what it is because of the scuttlebutt and the excitement around it,” said Stevens. "Obviously the game’s great, there’s a lot of good things about it, but it captivates everybody’s attention for 12 months out of the year. I said it the other day: The unfortunate part of being in the middle of it is you realize that most of it’s not true.”
After stopping to chuckle at his own assertion, Stevens continued, "But it’s still fun to listen to. Ultimately, I don’t pay a lot of attention to it and I know the guys don’t pay a lot of attention to it. And, if they do, that wanes the older they get in this because it’s just nonstop. If you do, you just get too caught up in all those things. We talk about things when things need to be talked about but, other than that, just move forward and try to focus on what we can do.”
☘️TRADE TALKS HEAT UP
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The Celtics find themselves in the headlines after Anthony Davis’ trade request in New Orleans, which has spawned all sorts of speculation about Celtics star Kyrie Irving and whether he’s committed to the team long term.
Irving has sat out the last two games due to a left hip strain and has not addressed reporters since the Warriors game on Saturday night. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Irving could return as early as Friday’s game in New York, which might be the first chance reporters get to inquire about reports that have suggested he might desire to play again with LeBron James or that he might remain undecided on his future after this season.
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