DALLAS -- The Celtics have been the talk of the league in the past week, both for on- and off-court reasons.
They started the week by collapsing against the Bulls. That’s when Marcus Smart made his comments about Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, remarking the two All-Stars needed to pass the ball more.
Brown said Wednesday the Celtics “didn’t need” those comments while they were trying to win games. Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens had similar thoughts, saying he wishes those conversations were kept private.
Tatum was asked Saturday whether those comments should’ve stayed in-house.
“I think you know,” Tatum said after a 109-106 loss to the Mavericks. “... I wouldn’t come out here and tell you guys about our game plan specifically. I think the more of it is it happened. You can’t change it. We still a team, we still figuring it out, we still trying to win games. It’s not like upset or sad about whatever. You know, it happened. I’m a big believer of whatever happened, happened. You can’t change it. Let’s move on and try to figure it out.”
It’s been a week of tough conversations for the entire Celtics team, too. After Smart’s comments Monday, Stevens said he watched Tatum and Smart conversing at breakfast Tuesday. The Celtics also had a team event Tuesday night in Orlando, where the players hashed out some issues before the coaches joined the dinner.
Brown said he’s always willing to hear any criticism thrown his way and he’s always trying to improve his game. Tatum had a similar message Saturday when he was asked his thoughts about Smart’s comments.
“We talked about it, had a team meeting I guess,” Tatum said. “But I know how to play basketball, I’ve been doing it a long time, pretty successful at it. I’ve always made the right plays. Not perfect, I’ve got things I can work on. That’s the good part about it. As young as I am and as good as people think I am, I have a lot to improve on.”
The All-Star forward played one of his best games of the season during the loss to the Mavericks, scoring 20 of his 32 points in the second half on 12-of-19 shooting from the field. It was the first time in six games that he shot over 40 percent from the field.
“Obviously I made some shots and played better on offense,” Tatum said. “Something I wasn’t worried about - I knew I was struggling on that end to play well and hit shots, but I’ve put too much time in and too much work to doubt myself or what I’m capable of. My teammates, my coaches and everyone we play know what I’m capable of. You go through periods like that where things aren’t going the way you want them to go. You keep working and embracing it and figuring it out. It’s a long season and we have a lot of games to play, obviously. You see everything people say and you hear everything, but that’s part of it. I should be worried if you guys stop talking about me. That would be a problem. But it’s part of the business, part of what I do, and take it with a grain of salt.”
The Celtics head back to Boston after a 2-1 road trip with three days off before looking for their first home win of the season against the Raptors on Wednesday night. Tatum tried to keep an optimistic outlook after the game despite the adversity of the past week and a hard fought loss.
“I’m really encouraged by the way we’ve played,” Tatum said of the road trip. “I know our record doesn’t show it, 4-6. Two double-overtime games, a buzzer-beater. We were a couple possessions from being 6-3 or whatever. It’s a good thing. That’s the beauty of being in the NBA. It’s tough to win on any given night but we’ve been progressing and playing the right way. Short a couple guys tonight but it’s a good road trip all things considered. Get back home, see my son, and then get ready for Wednesday.”
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Jayson Tatum on Marcus Smart’s comments and if it should’ve stayed private: ‘I think you know’ - MassLive.com
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