Jae Crowder: Boston Celtics Need to Get ‘Nastier’ on Defense

Boston Celtics small forward Jae Crowder wants his team to pick up the intensity on the defensive end following a 121-114 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

When it comes to defense, Boston Celtics swingman Jae Crowder is as intense as they come. Following Wednesday night’s 121-114 loss to the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden, Crowder voiced his frustration towards the team’s overall defense as they allowed Detroit to shoot a lofty 55.2 percent from the floor.

While the team’s lack of defensive effort has been of constant concern this young season, giving up 121 points only highlights a couple of the team’s deficiencies. Along with rebounding better and protecting the rim, Crowder feels the team needs a little more attitude. In other words, playing good defense if more of a mindset that can offset a lack of talent and size the team appears to have.

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"“I think we have to get a little more nastier on the defensive end,” Crowder said via ESPN. “Not let a team come in and get comfortable. It’s not been an ongoing thing; it happened today and it happened a couple games but, for the most part, we’ve been trying to impose our will first. That’s what our mindset is and that’s the mindset going forward.”"

The Pistons certainly got comfortable Wednesday night. In fact, when the Celtics did slow them down and got ahead late in the game, they allowed Detroit to respond with a 9-0 burst to reclaim the lead and eventually the game. Combined with making tough shots, the Pistons had a big man in Andre Drummond who dominated the boards as well as dominated inside.

In summary, the Celtics must get tougher on the defensive end and maintain that intensity throughout. They are not talented enough to show up and play lax defensively for stretches of the game. In Boston’s defense, they have been better the last few games with key players back from injury. But Wednesday night’s game was more frustrating because the team scored 114 points, which on most nights is enough to win.

"“We lost today. That’s not a good feeling,” Crowder said. “I’m good though. We lost, I’ll go back and watch it. We got Sacramento coming in here trying to beat us and we’ll be ready for them.“I like to win. We lost. It’s not happy. It’s not a good feeling.”"

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Luckily for Jae Crowder and the Celtics, it is still very early in the season. Therefore, they have some cushion to get it all together defensively. That could involve making a trade to bring in another big man to help protect the rim and take care of the boards.

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