The win against Phoenix was a catharsis, a defiant roar in the face of their own vulnerability. But in the cold light of the following day's film session, the victory was treated not as a celebration, but as a blueprint. Brad Stevens, with the meticulous focus of a master watchmaker, dismantled the game, possession by possession.
"Better," he stated, his laser pointer circling Kyle on the screen, frozen in a perfect defensive stance against Durant. "This is the effort. This is the focus. This is the standard. Not just for the fourth quarter. Not just when your pride is wounded. This is the baseline. This is who we have to be for forty-eight minutes, every single night from now on."
