Boston’s Brad Stevens wins NBA’s Executive of the Year award, his 2nd win in last 3 years
Brad Stevens built a Boston roster that earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference last season, then had to part ways with four members of that roster to escape what could have been a massive luxury tax bill. The result?
Boston was No. 2 in the East again — and remains a legitimate championship hopeful in a season when many likely expected otherwise. It all earned Stevens the NBA’s Executive of the Year award on Monday, his second time winning that trophy in the past three seasons.
He’s the 12th two-time winner and the sixth person to win twice within a three-year span. “These awards are organizational awards, and everyone in this building shares in this recognition,” Stevens said in remarks distributed by the Celtics. “I am just thankful to be there in a support role for our players, coaches and staff.
They are truly amazing. There’s nothing I cherish more professionally than getting to be a part of a true TEAM and competing at the highest level, and I am thankful to the Celtics for giving us that opportunity. ” Stevens got 11 first-place votes from a panel of 30 basketball executives — one from each of the NBA’s teams — who ranked their top three choices in order.
Stevens appeared on 17 of those 30 ballots, as did Atlanta’s Onsi Saleh, who finished second. Detroit’s Trajan Langdon, who has overseen a massive turnaround with the Pistons, was third for the second consecutive season. Sam Presti of Oklahoma City, last year’s winner, was fifth.