A lot of attention has been given to the Boston Celtics recently. After a slow start to the NBA season, they have begun getting things on track, winning eight of their last 11 games.
This stretch started after an embarrassing fourth quarter and blown game against the Chicago Bulls on November 1st. Marcus Smart called out Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum following the game and a player’s only meeting was held before the game against the Orlando Magic.
The performance of Brown and Tatum has been under the microscope all season. Smart did not mince words, saying that they needed to pass the ball and get teammates involved more often. Both Brown and Tatum have seen their passing numbers decrease this season, so there is some merit to what Smart was saying.
The Celtics are only going to go as far as Brown and Tatum can carry them. If they do not buy-in and start trusting their teammates more, it will be a struggle to win games even with the strong defense Boston is building.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Exec Gets Brutally Honest About Boston Celtics Being ‘Stuck’
Boston is currently ranked 17th in offensive rating according to Basketball-Reference with the sixth-best defensive rating. Part of the reason for the offense lagging behind the defense is that Brown has missed eight games. But, Tatum’s approach offensively has also played a part.
The former Duke product is in the midst of the worst shooting season of his career as he is attempting a lot of high-difficulty shots. He is not attacking the rim as often as he used to, settling for long 2-pointers instead.
It is not an efficient way of scoring and it has been shown in the statistics. One NBA executive provided a scathing review of Tatum, saying he is a selfish player offensively.
“Jayson Tatum is about Jayson Tatum,” an Eastern Conference assistant coach said. “I don’t think he cares about winning now, and if he does, it is on his terms.
“He doesn’t want to score 15 and win. He wants to score 39 and win.”
That needs to be taken with a grain of salt, as it is not someone in the locker room with the Celtics. But, if there is any truth to that, Boston has a bigger problem than just getting teammates involved in the offense more.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Exec Gets Brutally Honest About Boston Celtics Being ‘Stuck’
If Jayson Tatum is wrapped up more in personal accomplishments than team ones, the Boston Celtics aren’t going to get to where they want to be. Having him and Brown both buying in and playing team basketball is what it will take to become contenders again, especially without that third star to help carry the load and fill in the gaps.
