It is far from a secret the Boston Celtics are frustrated with their start to the 2021-22 NBA season.
Jayson Tatum expressed publicly his frustrations over the referees and Marcus Smart‘s comments.
Smart’s comments led to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reporting mid-game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday that the team held an early season players only meeting to sort out the emotions surrounding the team’s poor start.
After the win against the Magic, All-Star forward Jaylen Brown offered his thoughts on Smart’s comments and the situation with the team more generally.
“Obviously, in the midst of trying to win games, (it was) something that we probably didn’t need,” he explained.
The Celtics get a needed win in Orlando after a tumultuous start to the week https://t.co/yK4RhoSNXN
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 4, 2021
“But, we all communicate and talk to each other. So we’re all trying to find ways to win,” added Brown, “and I’m open to any and everything.”
“Guys bring it to me, coaching staff. So I’m always watching film, trying to better myself and be a better basketball player, and find ways to make my teammates better. So, it felt good to get a win today.”
Celtics injury update: Josh Richardson questionable vs. Miami Heat (11/4) https://t.co/V5G6aWQh7j
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 4, 2021
“The last few days, he has been focused on Orlando. That was the goal — come out, get a win.
“That was the team meeting, just an opportunity to talk as a group, get some communication going, and move forward. At the end of the day, we’ve played basketball together for a long time, all of us, especially our core group. So when it comes down to it, it’s all about trying to find ways to win, and that’s what most of the conversation was about.”
So, the last few days, we’ve just been focused on Orlando, and now we’re focused on Miami,” explained Brown with a reference to Thursday’s contest against the red-hot Heat.
WATCH: Celtics’ Jaylen Brown gets 28 points, 5 rebounds vs. Orlando Magic (11/3) https://t.co/36ZZaKzDxC
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 4, 2021
The drama of a players-only meeting might seem to reflect an internal angst that matches the fans’. But, all indications from the players themselves suggest that, while there is internal concern, the ire is directed more toward losing than each other.
And with Miami playing about as well together as anyone in the league, the Celtics will face a significant test of their resolve to improve the team’s fortunes in very short order.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
Against the Washington Wizards on October 30, the Boston Celtics flirted with a historically bad shooting night, hitting just 7.7% of their 3-pointers, making just 2 out of 26 attempts. One of thei… https://t.co/wFFDFGJeFR
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 4, 2021