Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“What are the main ingredients to those collapses? Not being together,” Smart said. “And that’s it. We’re just not together. Plain and simple. That’s it. Because if we were together, that wouldn’t happen. We’re all talking and linking up, but like I said, it’s something we’re going through, and it’s something we’re going to have to continue to work at and figure it out.”
…
“That’s the thing about this game,” Smart said. “You’ve got to have a short memory. This game’s over with, and we’ve gotta focus on tomorrow and get ready to come out and play.”
Smart said that despite the slower timetable, he had reason to believe the Celtics could mold themselves into a cohesive unit in time for the postseason.
“Because everybody here’s professional,” he said. “Everybody here plays basketball, and everybody is really talented on this team. And I know the potential that we all have. So, it’s just a matter of time.”
The Celtics played cohesive team basketball for one quarter, so that’s something, right? Marcus is right, though. When things get rough, the team crumbles.
Brad Stevens said the team looks for “shortcuts” after the game and it took me a while to get what he meant. My best guess is that he sees the team trying to dig themselves out of a hole by circumventing the system they have in place, trying to get cheap baskets in a hurry instead of working hard to claw their way back. Taking a deep three early in the shot clock, for example, is a pretty clear ploy to get points on the board quickly without having to work for them. Sure, a pair of three-point bombs to conjure six points out of thin air would cut the deficit pretty quickly, but trying to hit home runs when you need to string some singles together isn’t the Celtic way. At least, it shouldn’t be.
Mechanical errors can be fixed. Mental weakness is another story, and it’s hard to get a read on where the Celtics stand in that regard. I can only hope for the best.
On page 2… more post-blowout aftermath
Marcus Morris wants to move past loss quickly: “It is what it is. We play tomorrow.”
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) February 27, 2019
Al Horford on the difference this year: “For some reason, we’re not fighting.”
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) February 27, 2019
Marcus Smart stressed he’s confident the Celtics will turn things around.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 27, 2019
Kyrie Irving and Danny Ainge sitting at Kyrie’s locker and chatting as the locker room is opened to the media.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) February 27, 2019
- I’m all in favor of not dwelling on a loss.
- I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that the Celtics don’t care as much about the regular season after what happened in the playoffs last year – getting so close to the Finals and falling short. I think they just care about playoff games and are betting on themselves to flip the switch. I have no idea if they’ve properly located the switch.
- I envy Smart’s confidence, but I’m also realizing that three straight wins would have everybody back on board again. Somebody has to motivate their teammates, however. Smart has to find another gear.
- People are probably going to read into the Irving/Ainge meeting more than they should. So I’m not going near this one.
Finally… the Trail Blazers were stuck in an elevator in Boston
When it rains, it pours. The Celtics are slumping, the elevators are broken, we’re getting hurricane wind in February… I’m ready for July.
More links (and sadness)
Boston Herald: Kyrie Irving has little to say following blowout | Stumbling Celtics knocked out in Toronto, finish road trip 0-3
MassLive: Why are the Celtics failing to meet expectations? There is no simple answer | John Karalis
NESN: Where Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown rank on ESPN’s ‘Best Under 25’ list
ESPN: Where Celtics and Lakers can look for inspiration
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