Following Boston’s 8-point loss against the Spurs on Friday, head coach Ime Udoka shared some words after the game by calling the team selfish for their play on the court.
“We can’t dig ourselves that hole, come out flat for no reason,” said the Celtics coach. “It’s habits and we need to break – not trying to go isolation with all those, you know we got Marcus, Jaylen, Jayson, and Dennis starting. They need to learn to play together. Not try to just get baskets for themselves.”
Marcus Smart was the only player with more than 4 assists for Boston, an occurrence that has been a growing trend all season long.
Earlier this month, Smart ruffled a lot of feathers trying to speak on the issue.
“Every team knows we’re trying to go to Jayson and Jaylen. Every team is programmed and studied to stop Jayson and Jaylen. I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys pass the ball. They don’t want to pass the ball. That’s something that they’re going to learn. They’re still learning.”
Smart continued, “We’re proud of the progress they’re making, but they’re going to have to make another step and find ways to not only create for themselves but create for others on this team to open up the court for them later down in the game where they’re always going to have to take those tough shots or take tough matchups when they do get the 1-on-1 or they bring the trap. It’s something we’ve been asking them to do and they’re learning. We just gotta continue to help those guys do that… There’s only so much I can do when the ball isn’t in my hands and I’m standing in the corner.”
The Celtics, who are just 10-10 on the season, have been a major disappointment so far and fans are left wondering what comes next for the organization.
Tatum and Brown are the building blocks moving forward, but it’s becoming clear that if the Celtics can’t figure things out soon, major changes could be made.
Needless to say, they’re going to have to play better than they did on Friday if they want to turn things around.
