The Boston Celtics have received eight video games in a row and now sit at sixth place within the Japanese Convention. Earlier than this successful streak, they’d but to win greater than three in a row. Issues are trying up, to say the least.
With accidents and COVID-related absences plaguing their season early on, there was a critical lack of consistency. Exterior of those previous eight video games, the common beginning 5 had barely performed any video games collectively.
Head coach Ime Udoka commented on the fixed lineup fluctuation after Boston’s latest win over the Atlanta Hawks. He mentioned that, regardless of their struggles, he remained optimistic.
“I feel we took our lumps early ending video games. Like I mentioned the opposite day, the staff has at all times responded properly to being challenged. Even within the video games we had been dropping, the way in which we had been dropping early, I used to be at all times optimistic as a result of we did construct large leads with folks out and in of the lineup. The staff by no means stopped preventing or stopped enjoying the correct means.”
The Celtics hovered round .500 for almost all of the season earlier than this latest surge. Followers and media started to query not solely the staff’s capacity to play collectively, however Udoka’s match as the top coach.
When Udoka was employed, it was talked about that the staff wished a coach who would maintain them accountable. And whereas he was questioned early on, Udoka acknowledged that his perception and love for this group by no means wavered.
“They’ve purchased in on the defensive facet of the ball effort-wise, offensively sharing it. You see the distinction so far as that. It simply takes a bit time, it’s not going to occur in a single day and I perceive that. And so, as soon as all of them buy-in, and like I mentioned, they’ve all been receptive to teaching and criticism and difficult them, and so I really like the group for that.”
The rookie head coach now has the C’s eight video games above .500 and in a main place to combat for home-court benefit within the playoffs. However he’s not the one one who deserves the credit score.
A few weeks in the past, Al Horford mentioned that Jaylen Brown was starting to talk up a bit extra within the locker room. When requested, Brown defined his strategies. He mentioned that it’s much less about dominating the dialog and extra about discovering a wholesome stability.
“It’s simply extra in regards to the vitality and energy that you just’re making use of. You possibly can lead along with your voice and it’s also possible to lead by instance. Looking for completely different avenues and positively letting my voice be heard much more.”
He additionally made positive to indicate his teammates some love. Brown mentioned that he’s happy with his staff for preventing by their early season struggles.
“However I’m having fun with the problem and I’m having fun with this staff, this group that we’ve got. And I’m happy with our group. We’ve had some powerful stretches, however we’ve been capable of put some good video games collectively.”
Brown’s working mate, Jayson Tatum, additionally chimed in on the subject of Boston’s latest play. Within the months main as much as the commerce deadline, there was lots of discuss whether or not or not this core of men may work.
The three-time All-Star was requested about whether or not or not he feels some kind of vindication after being questioned all season lengthy.
“I’m going to inform y’all I advised you so after we win a championship someday. However till then, something lower than that’s simply the method of getting there.”
Boston faces an enormous check on Tuesday night time as they tackle the Philadelphia 76ers on the Wells Fargo Heart at 7:30 p.m. in what’s going to probably be James Harden’s first sport as a Sixer.
