During a recent appearance on the Ringer’s “Bill Simmons Podcast,” Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was asked when he realized just how good of a coach Brad Stevens was.
Tatum didn’t miss a beat.
“Right away,” he told Simmons.
But Tatum’s favorite example of Stevens’ coaching brilliance didn’t come until very late in the season: the now-famous inbound play to Al Horford in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The play Stevens concocted sprung Horford free for a go-ahead layup with 5.5 seconds remaining in overtime, helping vault Boston to a 101-98 win and a 3-0 series lead that al…