What is the difference between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics?
The Celtics were inescapably better than the Magic in 2015
Why were the Celtics better than the Magic?
That answer is pretty simple. They found a way to make the puzzle pieces fit. Brad Stevens put his players in a position to succeed, selecting the right strategy and identity to maximize their talents and efforts.
What is even more amazing about the job Stevens did is that he had two major trades in the course of the season that completely changed his team. Instead of retooling or packing it in, his team had the confidence in what they were doing and trying to accomplish to remain successful.
The Magic? They changed identities several times throughout the season and never found a winning rhythm. All the talent in the world is not going to fix a team without a direction.
The lesson of comparing the Celtics to the Magic should show exactly how critical the coaching hire will be.
The Magic are not far off the Celtics talent wise. They need to build some depth. But more importantly, they need a coach to tie all these loose ends together and help propel them to that next step.