Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka and veteran big man Al Horford expressed that the lack of effort and focus from their team as a whole was the most frustrating part of losing to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. Udoka went on to say that he could see the lack of enthusiasm during the team’s morning practice and even told his team that they were going to lose to the Wizards.
The Boston Celtics have been too inconsistent through their first five games of the season and head coach Ime Udoka doesn’t understand why.
"“For whatever reason, we were lacking in intensity and focus this morning. I told them that you’re going to get your ass kicked tonight if you come with that focus in the game, and for three quarters we played the same way. Waited to get down 15 and started to play with the effort that we played in the other four games. It’s disappointing. We’ll have a chance at it again on Saturday if we feel we bring the right intensity, we’ll be okay, but you gotta show up every night. You can’t just pick and choose and think you’re going to beat people.” – Ime Udoka, per Brian Robb of MassLive"
One of the more frustrating parts of this game was the non-existing defensive identity from the Boston Celtics that they pride themselves on having. To Udoka’s point, the team needs to be 100 percent focused on both ends of the floor and unfortunately, the Celtics were not. In fact, Udoka shared that along with a lack of focus, his team is straight up lacking effort.
"“Honestly, guarding the ball one-on-one, too many drives our weak side aren’t coming across. Things we;ve been working on and harping on just didn’t show. We have a guy standing on the opposite block and he doesn;t take a step and someone lays it up. Lack of effort, focus, help defence was very poor tonight.” – Ime Udoka, per Souichi Terada of MassLive"
The absolute most frustrating part, however, is that the only player on the team who is holding them all accountable is Ol’ reliable, Al Horford. The veteran shared that the lack of focus is evident to start the season and he believes that there’s plenty of time to address/ resolve the problem.
"“I mean, we weren’t focused enough. As a unit, we just need to continue just to adapt, do our jobs and be professional. It’s happening right now early in the year, and it’s something that we have to take care of, and I believe we will.” – Al Horford, per Brian Robb of MassLive"
Furthering this point home, Jayson Tatum, Boston’s superstar franchise player, went 2-15 from behind the arc in the Boston Celtics’ season opener against the New York Knicks. After the game, Tatum didn’t seem too frustrated that he had one of the worst shooting performances of his career or that his team even lost the first game of the season.
"“2 for 15. Sometimes you’ve gotta laugh at yourself. I guess I’m good for one of those a season. Hopefully that’s the last one.” – Jayson Tatum, per Souichi Terada of MassLive"
All of these are examples of the bad habits that coach Udoka didn’t know he was inheriting when he was hired as the team’s new head coach. Udoka has been straightforward with his team and the media, not allowing a lack of effort to be the identity of this team. In doing so, the first-year head coach has already called out one of his star players for being too inconsistent in Jaylen Brown.
Udoka feels that Brown can be selective in the games he decides to play at his full potential. To which, Udoka says is “mind-boggling”.
"“I’m trying to ramp him up during the game, pump him up to get going. But the contrast of some of those previous games — especially Charlotte and the New York game and the way you see him come out (Wednesday) — is kind of mind-boggling.” – Ime Udoka, per Souichi Terada of MassLive"
It’s fair to say that Udoka is still putting together the pieces of his team and figuring out what he has in his arsenal. The Boston Celtics will have a chance at redemption over the Wizards on Saturday afternoon, however, Smart will not be with the team due to an illness. It’ll be great to see if the Celtics have fixed some of their inconsistencies from their previous game on Wednesday.