Brad Stevens has expressed concern over the way the Boston Celtics have played to start the season.
Prior to the start of the season, the Celtics were a favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. They may very well still end up there in April. However, they have played like anything but championship contenders through the first 18 games of the season.
Boston’s record is now 9-9 after a 117-109 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Following the game, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said his team is not playing with the same “personality” it did a season ago.
Brad Stevens: "We’re not playing with the same personality we played with last year. That’s the easiest way to describe it. And then the 50,000 issues that are below that, we have to tackle one at a time."
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) November 22, 2018
50,000 issues may be an exaggeration, but it’s clear that Stevens feels there is a lot wrong with the team, which is trying to combine and integrate so many capable players.
There’s obviously plenty of time to right the ship for the Celtics, who have as much talent as anyone in the Eastern Conference. So far, that talent hasn’t translated into as many wins as fans or Stevens would like.
One would think it won’t be long before the Celtics are near the top of the conference standings instead of the No. 8 spot they are currently in. For that to happen, Boston will need to get its mojo back.
