The Boston Celtics lost their fifth game in six played since the All-Star break on Sunday in a 115-104 loss to the Rockets at home.
As has been the case after each of their recent losses, everyone, from players and coaches to media and fans, has been trying to figure out what exactly is causing the Celtics to fall short of expectations this season. Some have pointed out that the team simply doesn’t look like they’re together on the floor, while Brad Stevens has called out the team for taking shortcuts on the defensive end.
Danny Ainge has insisted Stevens is not to blame, but there have been plenty in the fan base that have questioned if he’s handling rotations and balancing egos on the team as well as he should this season. In any case, Boston appears headed for the fifth seed in the East — fourth, likely at best — and that presents a long road to the Finals that would almost assuredly force them to go through three of the top four teams in the conference.
On Monday, Jaylen Brown expressed his feelings on the situation in Boston, noting that it’s “not good” and called the atmosphere around the team “toxic,” per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
“To be honest, I’m not feeling good at all,” Brown said. “The losing, it’s not a good feeling. I’m not too good about that.
“Because right now it’s not good. It’s toxic. I can’t really point out one thing. I don’t have all the answers. I’m just going to try to be part of the change. I’m going to try to do my best. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Brown went on to say that it comes down to everyone being on the same page, and that “if on person’s not on page, it’s going to affect the whole group.” He’s far from the first player on the Celtics to point out a disconnect between the group as what’s causing problems, and there will be plenty of speculation as to who Brown (or others) feel isn’t on the same page as the rest.
Whatever the case, Boston has fewer than 20 games to figure things out before the playoffs begin. It’s not unreasonable to expect them to find something by then, but one of the biggest issues seems to be a divide within the team about what’s causing their problems. Until they can all diagnose the issues and get everyone on the same page, as Brown says, it will be hard to fix them.
