After getting beat badly at home last night by the Bucks, trailing at one point by as many as 26 points, the Celtics held a private team meeting in their locker room to clear the air after three straight losses, reports Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
Per Bontemps, the biggest criticism of the team’s recent play, and the reason for the meeting, was a feeling from star point guard Kyrie Irving that the team lacked cohesiveness and that certain players were playing selfish over the last few games.
“At this point it comes down to cohesion, being able to trust the pass, trust what we have going on out there,” Irving said. “Obviously some selfish play out there where … we have some really talented guys, but we’re better as a team sharing the basketball… I get caught up in that as well. For me it’s a hard challenge, because there’s a balance I have. I literally can do anything I want out there, but at the same time it’s what can I do for my teammates to be more successful. I have to be very conscious of that.”
The Celtics’ poor performance probably could have been attributed to player absence. Forward Marcus Morris and big men Al Horford and Aron Baynes are all out with injury. But, the team apparently will not use that as an excuse, as the meeting reflects.
Irving didn’t name names, but based on his comments and a quick hook from head coach Brad Stevens after a couple poor sequences in Friday’s loss, at least some of the blame appears to be going towards young forward Jayson Tatum, a breakout star during last season’s playoff run who appears to be going through somewhat of a sophomore slump at this point.
When asked whether he had an answer for the team’s struggles, Tatum did not, but he ultimately thinks everything will be “all right.” The Celtics take the floor again tomorrow night against the Hornets, where the team will look to regroup after last night’s loss.
One of your best players did not play. Not hard to figure out.
You mean he doesn’t have lebron?
Kyrie doesn’t need LeBron to be successful
Well what has he done without LeBron ?
I’ve watched them almost every game this year. It’s been tough to sit through. But honestly, the only game that they’ve looked last year’s cohesive team was the recent game when Irving and Horford were both out. Ball was moving, guys were driving, and it was fun to watch. When you have a star like KI, things have to go through him and everyone else kind of stands around. The NBA superstar team model works when you’ve got 3 superstars and a bunch of lower level complementary players, not when it’s superstars trying to mesh with really talented up and coming players.
They wouldn’t have a better record this year without Kyrie. People seem to forget how good their record was last year before Kyrie went down
Just looked it up. Celtics were 46-21 when Kyrie went down last year. 9-6 after. So yeah, don’t think Kyrie is the issue.
Leave it to Irving to try and throw other teammate under the bus without making it look like he is doing so. This is the same guy who said to Cleveland I don’t care about winning championships I want to go somewhere where I can be Batman because no matter how much we win I am sick of being Robin. The guy is a cancer and Boston would be much better without him.
Says golden MISFIT. Kyrie IS a superstar and wasn’t going to win with LeBron as long as the Warriors stayed healthy. And it came out that Kyrie knew LeBron was leaving and he didn’t want to be stuck on a rebuilding Cavs team (Oct 18, 2018 – For The Win (USA Today)). Can you blame him?
Maybe they can trade Jaylen Brown and Rozier for AD like Celtic fans say they will. Everyone wants their role players for superstars.
Uhh, I think a trade of that nature also might include some of the numerous first round picks the Celtics have.
They’re low picks. It’s going to take Tatum.
Irving also said that “he’s not playing the minutes or the role that he would selfishly want for himself”. I’m not sure I have the right context for it — but in the last 5 non-blowout games, he’s average 36.5 MPG — that would lead the league. What more minutes does he want? Or was he just saying everyone has to be less selfish and he shouldn’t think about those things?
Wow that was a bit arrogant of KI saying “I literally can do anything I want out there”… I mean if he could he would be like AD, Giannis or LBJ but… I am afraid he is a star player but is not & will never be a superstar… so I don’t think he can do all he wants out there, otherwise he would have some MVP’s, championships (not the one won by LBJ), scoring championships, assists…
Maybe a bit of humble pie from him, more passing & less shooting et voila Boston might win more.
The Knicks would be LOVING this!!
#WelcomeToNY
I feel like y’all are being a little harsh to KI. He admitted that he struggles with being selfish like everyone else, but that he works hard to spread the ball and play for his team. He is trying to get everyone to play selfless basketball including himself. The Celtics need a trade at this point, too many guys that need the ball to be effective and refuse to find a different way of being effective. It’s getting a little crowded on the court in Boston.
For two years All y’alls have been gushing about Brad Stevens. “Boy Genius!”
“Give him % equity ownership!”
Hailing him for his ability to do this and gah and OMG he’s the best coach ever And on and on and on and on.
Why are you SILENT on him now?!!?!
Get a giant foam finger and point it at your Boy Wonder. He’s the one trotting out the unfathomably unplayable Hayward 25 mins a night. If you are terry rozier or jaylen brown, and watching Hayward steal your minutes? The teachers’s pet getting special treatment and he’s been awful. Can’t stay in front of anyone on D, can’t cut hard, can’t finish….he’s basically Tall Delly at this point.
And that’s just one aspect.
Stevens needs to be bloody held accountable.
Calm down. Did the dog pee in your beer again? Or did all the big kids beat you up & steal your lunch money?
Infantile.
hill I am totally with you bro, Stevens hasn’t done anything yet in the league while getting a huge amount of praise & now that has the team is flopping all over the place. I’d rather coach Brett Brown or Budenholzer any day of the week & twice on Sundays.
Stevens hasn’t done anything yet in the league? You mean he didn’t TOTALLY out-coach Brett Brown last playoffs, and show whole league the blueprint to stop Simmons and the Sixers? And he didn’t get IT, Crowder, Bradley, and Evan Turner to play the most impressive basketball of their entire careers (before and after)? And he didn’t take teams that were expected to be terrible to the playoffs? Name 3 better coaches in the NBA, I dare you. He’s one of the very few who actually affect their team’s success. Have the slightest bit of patience
Trade Kyrie to the suns or magic!!
I’m like 90% joking.
Coaching 101: get the most from your team.
Stevens did terrific last year. And doing terribly this year.
I agree with you that Steven’s has to bear some of the blame at this point… but it’s also still VERY early in the season. And this is the 1st time in his very young coaching career where he’s trying to manage a team loaded with talent… as opposed to what he has been doing… which is get loads of talent out of not so talented players. It’s an adjustment that he needs to make, but an adjustment none the less. The C’s struggling through the first 6 weeks (or whatever it’s been) doesn’t constitute Steven’s going from great to absolute trash… there’s still time for he and the team to right the ship. If no adjustments are made and this continues all season… well then I think you have a real point – I just don’t think it will.