THUNDER BAY - It’s an exciting time to be a Boston Celtic.
The NBA’s most successful franchise, in terms of championships, is in a position where adding another seems within the near future.
After winning a conference-best 53 games last season, the Celtics added the third overall pick in Jayson Tatum, and all-star Gordon Hayward to the roster.
As recently as Monday, they acquired all-star Kyrie Irving in a trade from Cleveland. The high profile trade was made in an effort to upgrade their point guard position, and weaken the Cleveland Cavaliers' roster - the team that eliminated Boston in the semi-finals of last year's playoffs.
In short: the Celtics are good, and they’re only going to get better. And in light of recent news, former Lakehead men’s basketball coach Scott Morrison will have a pretty good seat to watch it unfold.
“Looking at our roster, you can see we already have a chance to compete for a championship this year,” he said. “I’m just happy they gave me the chance.”
Morrison, who worked within the Celtics organization as the coach of their G-League affiliate, was promoted to assistant coach in June.
His three years with the Maine Red Claws were successful to say the least; he had the most wins of any Red Claws coach in team history, and in was named the league’s best coach in 2015.
The new job is not unfamiliar territory for Morrison, though. He worked in Boston during the offseason and preseason in prior years, and has built relationships with players and coaches.
“This summer has been a little different because I’ve gotten some assignments that I haven’t gotten to do in the past,” Morrison said.
His most recent assignment: working prized free-agent acquisition Gordon Hayward, and second-round draft pick Semi Ojeleye.
It’s a slight departure from the caliber of players he worked with at Lakehead, yet Morrison said his time there is something he thinks about all the time.
“We had some big wins in Maine, but at the end of the day, there’s not as much riding on those,” he said. “At the college level there’s a little more rivalry. I definitely remember how it feels to beat Carleton.”
The fiery Prince Edward Island native was known for his animated sideline mannerisms during his time at Lakehead, but as a professional coach, he’s become more reserved in style.
“Coach Stevens is kind of like the opposite of how I was at Lakehead, in terms of his demeanor, and approach to teaching. I was pretty lucky to be immersed into that because the way I did it at Lakehead probably wouldn’t work at this level.”
Perhaps his most famous quip, during the 2011 OUA championship when a broadcast listened in on a Lakehead huddle to hear Scott Morrison yell: “[expletive] these guys” on live television.
“Guys are older, and used to being treated a certain way, so I’ve kind of gotten used to that and I like the changes I’ve made.”
It helps that Morrison is now working with some of the most skilled basketball players in the world.
“That’s one of the coolest parts about it,” he said. “Working this summer with Gordon Hayward - I mean, that guy's an NBA All-Star, one of the best in the world. That was one of those moments where you take a minute and say, ‘Man, this is what I came here for.’”
It’s a big stage for someone with such humble beginnings. His hometown of Morell, P.E.I. has a population just over 300.
“I’d say probably three or four have even seen an NBA game in person.”
Yet Morrison continues to make a name for himself, even in a space that tends to be reserved for people who know the right people.
“I didn’t have very many contacts, I didn’t have family members in the NBA, I never played in the NBA. A high percentage of coaches at this level are at least checking one of those boxes,” he said.
There's one thing Morrison and the Celtics would love to check off this upcoming season: take down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“In the NBA it’s like 10 per cent coaching, and managing, and analytics, and the other 90 per cent is who has LeBron.”
That’s what an analytics director from Toronto told him before he left for Maine. For an astounding seven years it’s been true - the team with LeBron James has reached the NBA Finals.
“We’re not saving lives out here, but to be the best at this job, you have to treat every small detail like it’s do or die. I obviously think that’s what Coach Stevens does the best - the Celtics roster hasn’t been the best in the league, but he happens to get the most out of it.”
With a much-improved roster, Morrison is hoping to contribute to that “10 per cent” and get Boston back to the promised land.
“I’m excited to be around full time this year to see every part of the process.”
