With a 2-5 record, the Boston Celtics have been among the most disappointing teams so far this season.
Despite most of their core members being available, the Celtics look completely lost at times, struggling to find offense and failing to make up for it on the other end.
Perhaps most concerning of all was the comment made by Marcus Smart following his team’s defeat on Monday.
“Only so much I can do without the ball in my hands sitting in the corner. We’re running plays for our best players, every team knows that. They do a good job of shutting that down. We can’t allow that.
We can’t keep trying to go to those guys. We gotta abort that, find another way to get them the ball in spots that they need the ball. For me, I can only do so much just sitting in the corner or when I come up and give the ball away.”
Head coach Brad Stevens was replaced over the summer for Ime Udoka. Despite initial excitement about his arrival, fans are starting to turn on the guy through this stretch.
Regardless of how you feel about him, the Celtics’ problems go much deeper.
“I would just like to play basketball. 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. 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 to help our team.”
For whatever reason, there seem to be some major trust and communication issues with the Celtics right now, and a serious intervention might be in order to turn things around.
Fortunately, the season is still so young and the guys in green have plenty of time to get their act together.
