Celtics Just ‘Trying To Co-Exist’ Amid Turbulent Season

https://nesn.com/2019/02/nba-rumors-celtics-just-trying-to-co-exist-amid-turbulent-season/



NBA Rumors: Celtics Just ‘Trying To Co-Exist’ Amid Turbulent Season



by Joshua Schrock on Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 8:23AM



The Boston Celtics apear to have some locker room chemistry issues.

Brad Stevens’ club entered the season as the overwhelming favorite to win the Eastern Conference, but the C’s got off to a slow start to the season, limping to a 10-10 record through 20 games. Boston has turned it around over the last few months, but something has always seemed off about the ultra-talented group.

Reports have leaked out about certain players taking issue with the number of minutes Gordon Hayward has been getting, and after the Celtics blew a 28-point lead against the Los Angeles Clippers in a loss Saturday night, Marcus Morris admitted the team doesn’t have fun and it’s been that way for a while.

So, how bad are things with the Green?

While there apparently aren’t any major issues within the locker room, the collection of players reportedly aren’t that fond of each other and are just trying to “co-exist,” The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn reported Sunday, citing sources.


gary washburn

@GwashburnGlobe
The #Celtics locker room issues aren't that big of a surprise to some NBA folks I talked to today.  The consensus is that the players aren't necessarily beefing but they aren't that close. It's like they are trying to coexist politely, and it's not working.

796
3:52 PM - Feb 10, 2019 · Holbrook, MA


With 26 games remaining, the Celtics currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but they are just two games behind the third-place Indiana Pacers.

While there’s no doubt Boston has the talent to make a deep postseason run, the group will need to find a way to come together quickly or else the C’s could be headed for a quick playoff exit and an offseason filled with questions.



bob
MY NOTE:  This stuff doesn't "just happen overnight".  It simmers, it boils, it grows in intensity until it finally bubbles to the surface.  We didn't know Rondo and Ray hated each other until the very end, if not after the end.  I'm betting this is what will happen in June/July after the season is over.



.

I have been saying there are chemistry problems with this team all season. It doesn't look like they are having fun playing together. On the other hand, it is kind of a chicken-and-egg problem: is the poor chemistry the cause for disappointing season, or the result of a disappointing season? Winning cures many ills, and winning teams don't necessarily have to like each other.

Back in the day, a coach would fine a player and maybe sit him on the bench for a game or two if they shared a team's internal issues during the season.  Part of this sharing nowadays is due to the players being forced to have media sessions after every game.  Too bad that the players are not smart enough to just smile and say, "No comment".  Too bad it is the veteran players on the team that are sharing too much.

[sarcasm] One thing that is lacking in modern locker rooms is a safe space where young players can go to process their feelings.  [/sarcasm]