Celtics will never win until they kick this infuriating habit

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-wont-start-winning-until-they-kick-infuriating-habit



Celtics will never win until they kick this infuriating habit



1H AGO

BY JOHN TOMASE
NBC SPORTS



Forget about "Unfinished Business." Print these T-shirts for the 2023-2024 Celtics so they can wear them all summer: "Whiners aren't Winners."

Something has felt broken since December, when the C's soared into Golden State intent on exacting revenge for last year's Finals, and were instead punted to the kids' table. For all the frustration of watching them underachieve throughout the rest of the regular season and into a 3-0 Eastern Conference Finals hole vs. the Heat, their constant complaining tops the list.


The Celtics complain about everything, and it has officially become the most unwatchable part of their game. They complain on offense. They complain on defense. They complain under the basket while play goes the other way. They complain on the sideline during timeouts. So ingrained is complaining into their DNA, they even complain en route to the free throw line after getting the call they're complaining about.

On Sunday night in Miami, they embarrassed themselves not just by falling behind by 33 points and quitting in the middle of a 128-102 Game 3 defeat, but with their nonstop whining.

Egregious moments abounded, from Marcus Smart getting T'd up after a made Celtics basket, to Jaylen Brown deciding not to play defense so he could squawk while the Heat drilled a 3, but for my money, the low point came on Miami's first possession of the second quarter, when Duncan Robinson easily beat Grant Williams off the dribble and then soared over Jayson Tatum for a layup.


You'd like to see your All-NBA player provide stiffer resistance on a NESCAC guy, but Tatum's reaction made it infinitely worse, as he waved wildly for a clear-out, a call he didn't remotely deserve.

It was the weakest moment in a game full of them: Tatum begging the refs to do the job he could not. It shouldn't matter if Robinson drop-kicks him in the chest. Tatum is a top-five player challenging an undrafted spot shooter at the rim. Don't look for Tony Brothers to save you.


But all the Celtics do is talk. Tatum flaps his arms or grabs his wrist after every reckless drive into traffic. Brown argues for foul calls at the expense of transition defense, a killer against a sharpshooting team like the Heat. Smart, the supposed heart and soul of the team, constantly lectures referees as if he's reminding them that he's the defending Defensive Player of the Year.

And don't even get me started on Grant Williams, a hard-nosed player who negates his positive attributes by NEVER shutting his mouth. He's the only player in the league who can take multiple DNP-CDs and then in his first minute back incredulously work the refs like he's Luka or LeBron. About the only Celtic who doesn't get consumed with the refs is Robert Williams.

The constant whining, whinging, and wheedling is more distracting than a test of the emergency broadcast system, and it highlights the lack of focus and mental toughness that has utterly destroyed the Celtics vs. the Heat. Eliminating it should be job No. 1 of whoever ends up coaching the team next year, whether it's Joe Mazzulla or a steadier veteran hand.

All I know is it can't continue like this. The Celtics are capable of playing the most entertaining brand of basketball in the league, but they've been enabled for so long, dating back to Brad Stevens, they act like a bunch of spoiled kids crying their heads off at daycare. Eventually they'll get a juice box.

So here's a small ask for Tuesday's Game 4. We already know the series is over and the pressure's off. Please give your fans one game free of histrionics and just play. You might even find you play better. Otherwise, print the T-shirts, because the only ones complaining should be us.


Bob
MY NOTE:  I am 100% on board with this.  We have ALL commented how Jayson Tatum throws his arms up in the air after every drive.  Grant really never does stop chirping.  It's one thing to talk smack to your man, if you can back it up, but stfu with the refs.  STFU with the refs, already, and ball willya?


.

I too Bob am 100% in agreement with this well written and sadly accurate article.

I posted a link to this article on another thread, but perhaps it deserves a thread of its own. Thanks, Bob.

A common theme across (mostly) the same players and three different coaches.

Ironic...because Brad is one of the least complaining men in sports.

Is this what happens when you are acclaimed the golden child of the franchise? all these comparisons, they drive me crazy. if these guys were on the court with the 1986 Celtics team they would be crying in their sleep. Time to grow up, put all the accolades aside, you have won nothing, not one thing, that impresses me. I am in total shock that a team that I have invested so much of my energy into is playing like they are still in high school. No pride. How would Larry Bird react if Jimmy Butler did to him what he did last night. They were mocking them, laughing at them, and not one Celtic reacted. I shut the game off in the second quarter. I could not watch another minute. Wyc and Brad were there in Miami, I can only imagine what was going thru their minds. I guess Sports Illustrated had a short article that stated that Wyc was absoutely ticked off. Would not watch the game, Brad? One minute you are on top of the world, a ulta smart GM, the next minute your team has spit on their coach and shut down. Where do we go from here???? I have no idea. I do know, I am here right now, but I think I will take a break from all things Celtics. My heart cannot take this much more

Rosalie...my feelings too.

In the first half Brown didn’t get a call on a shot attempt. He argued with the ref and didn’t get back on defense and they gave up an open three. A pathetic showing from one of our two stars. How do you expect the rest of the team to act when a star is so selfish?

Considering MIA had to reach this point from the play-in tournament, it's a real testament to their resilience and hunger. The Heat flat-out just want it more. Superior talent without grit is meaningless.


KJ

Who would replace Joe?

Doc?
Nick Nurse?
Monty Williams?
Bud?
Frank Vogel?
Dave Cowens?
Rajon Rondo?

Any ideas?

Ime leaving really messed up this season.

Definitely not Rondo, another rookie coach, no way that will happen.  We still have to deal with whether they will fire him or not.  You have to wonder

Damn T-shirts!

“Unfinished business finished unfinished” Thats what it should read. Front and back.

I knew there was something about those t-shirts that bothered me but I could not figure out why until Gyso nailed it.

Entitlement!

Who the H- E- Double Hockey sticks are you to be wearing a shirt thats reads ‘unfinished business’ before you make it your business to finish your business?

I Hope they’ve learned that the best of business in this line of business is to keep all unfinished business till they finish their business To.Them.Selves!!


What? Y’all thought it was going to be easy?


I am quite furious and outdone! Pissed off to the height of Pissitivity. Thats where I am at right about now.

There is a Skosh of a chance that I could change my mind but as of right now I do not have plans to watch our Whiney little beloveds tomorrow evening.

Its been too stressful already.

There is a whole lot of blame to go around and it starts at the top and works its way down.

I’m waiting until this Celtic season is officially over before I fire away here.

Till then, just think of me as ‘Cocked and ready Ktron’!

Rosalie, I love to see Rondo's smarts applied to an NBA coaching position - say in the G League. Too dangerous to give him a Celtics job now. Dave Cowens' coaching career fizzled, but I sure liked him as a player.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/cowenda01c.html

It is an infuriating habit. I have been on Tatum for the last couple years, and now it's not only him The more you whine and complain the more the refs tune you out.

All I am hoping for tonite is the Celtics play hard for 48 minutes and let chips falls. I want them to fight through any calls that are questionable and get back on defense. Even if they lose at least they can look in the mirror and know they went down fighting.

k_j_88 wrote:Considering MIA had to reach this point from the play-in tournament, it's a real testament to their resilience and hunger. The Heat flat-out just want it more. Superior talent without grit is meaningless.


KJ

I agree and think you put it well.

I also feel the Heat are being underestimated, and perhaps, the Celtic roster has been overestimated.

Miami's defensive ability and game plan is simply too strong for a team that has to rely on the 3 pointer to get it done.

Beyond that, and as I've said in other topics, with minor exceptions I'm keeping my commentary and thoughts aside until the final buzzer.