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Boston Celtics: 5 problems facing the ‘team to beat’

By Jordan Daly

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics plays against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden on February 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics plays against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden on February 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

4. Young talent

The Celtics are an extremely young team. With a team average age of 25.4, and an average of 3.5 years in the pros, they lack experience.

Boston’s star point guard talked about this:

"“The young guys don’t know what it takes to be a championship level team. What it takes every day. And if they think it is hard now, what do they think it will be like when we’re trying to get to the Finals?”"

One thing that could be affecting this young team is the young guns trying to take over. Without a doubt, Tatum and Brown have very high ceilings and they will both go on to do great things, but for now, they have to buy into the team-first mentality.

Back in January, tempers flared in a timeout huddle, when Morris got on Brown for not hustling back on defense. Things quickly escalated with Morris pushing Brown before they were separated.

Did Brown become complacent? Lazy? Was it just a mistake? Either way, change needs to happen, and fast.

With league veterans calling out the young Celtics, the inexperienced players better learn quickly. If not, team chemistry will continue to drop.

Complacency kills.

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