The Boston Celtics are off to an abysmal start to the 2021-22 NBA season. They are currently 2-5 so far and struggling to keep up with other elite teams in the Eastern Conference teams.
Things are over the boiling point for the team following their recent matchup against the Chicago Bulls. After leading the game with 19 points at one point, the Celtics blew the lead and handed the victory to Chicago. Following the meltdown, many criticized the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Among them, the most vocal was none other than their teammate Marcus Smart. Smart was completely disappointed with the team’s performance and made sure that his teammates heard his opinion about the defeat.
“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.”
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Smart is someone who is always vocal and never keeps his true feelings to himself. Aside from calling out the Tatum-Brown duo, he also subtly hinted about wanting to shoot more.
Hopefully, this embarrassing defeat serves as a wake-up call for the Celtics. The season is still young and they can still figure things out to save it. If not, it might be time to choose between Tatum and Brown to carry the franchise in the future.
