The Boston Celtics are currently riding in first class on the struggle bus so far this NBA season. Who would have predicted that at this point in the season they would have fewer wins than the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets? No one, that’s who.
The Celtics are 8-14 since returning to the court following their COVID-19 pause. So far, no players have taken shots at each other or the coaching staff in the media. General manager Danny Ainge has been shouldering the responsibility, taking the blame for the team’s struggles as he is the one who put the roster together.
While it is Ainge’s responsibility to sign and trade players to make the roster, he has little control over what happens on the court. Right now, the Celtics just aren’t a very good team despite having two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the team.
The tandem does all of the heavy lifting for the team offensively, as Kemba Walker is still working his way back from an offseason knee operation. They’re combining for 51 points per game, but the team isn’t winning. And, there is a player in the NBA that believes the losses will continue piling up as long as the Celtics are relying on the Brown/Tatum combination.
An anonymous player recently provided a harsh criticism of the Boston duo.
It is too bad that the player didn’t attach their name to this quote. Nonetheless, that is a scathing criticism from one of their peers. Just looking at their assist numbers, they could probably do a little more to get their teammates involved.
Without their leading assist man, Marcus Smart, you would hope one of the young franchise cornerstones would step up and adjust their game, but they have yet to do so. The evidence is in the win-loss column.
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For the Celtics to take their game to the next level, one of Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum needs to start expanding on their game. While it was an anonymous quote, NBA players have already forgotten more about basketball than most people will ever learn in their life.
This assessment isn’t baseless and it might be time for the Celtics’ young duo to look into the mirror and make some changes to help the team start winning some games.
