The Boston Celtics are remaining optimistic following a 123-95 Christmas Day slaughter at the hands of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Well, it was a game going deep into the third quarter, but the Boston Celtics weren’t able to deliver a Christmas Day gift to fans by beating Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets.
In fact, the Superstar tandem got the best of the Celtics, combining for 66 points in the 123-95 massacre at TD Garden. Led by Kyrie who finished with a game-high 37 points and eight assists, the Nets stretched a 3 point late third-quarter lead into a 28-point beating in a game that was actually competitive.
The final score didn’t tell the entire story of the game, but what it did tell is the Boston Celtics have a depth problem that won’t be fixed just by the return of Kemba Walker.
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When Kevin Durant (29 points) and Kyrie turned it on, the Celtics couldn’t respond despite the effort out of Jaylen Brown who once again led the team in scoring with 27 points.
As good as Durant and Irving were, the 72-41 second half onslaught was really about the differences in the two benches. Brooklyn is deep and compliment their two superstars tremendously, while the Celtics tend to stagger when Jayson Tatum and Brown are not on the floor together.
Despite the final score and the obvious issues with depth, there is optimism to take away from the loss. The Boston Celtics did compete most of the game and it was just the second game of the season. Here are three quotes of optimism to take away from the 28-point Christmas Day beating.
Jaylen Brown: Boston Celtics are a team ‘with a lot of fight’
As pointed out above, it was just the second game of the young NBA season. Jaylen Brown, who did his part by leading the team in scoring highlighted that in his optimistic view following a disappointing overall performance by his squad.
"“It’s the second game of the season, we still have a lot of work ahead of us but I’m faithful that we’re gonna continue to learn and grow,” Brown said, as transcribed by MassLive.om. “Guys are gonna get more comfortable in certain roles,” Brown continued. “We got a team with a lot of fight, so I’m looking forward to the next few games and building with this group and unit that we have.”"
As high as the team was after Jayson Tatum drained a game-winner over Giannis Antetokounmpo, they surprisingly aren’t getting too down in losing to the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant super tandem.
The team battled and staid in the game despite poor shooting through the game which does offer a positive takeaway from the game if there are any positives in a 28-point loss.
In all, the Boston Celtics continued to take punches and get back up. But, in a heavyweight fight when you take too many punches eventually it is hard to get back up, especially when one of the best players in the world in Kevin Durant is delivering the blows.
Brad Stevens: Boston Celtics have to “become a better execution team”
Is Brad Stevens the right coach for the Boston Celtics?
As much success as the team has had record wise over the past few seasons, one has to wonder if the Celtics coach has what it takes to get his team over the hump.
Again, just the second game of the season, but is Stevens putting his team in the best position to compete against teams like the Brooklyn Nets on the offensive side of the court?
He is not out there are the floor taking the shots, but rotations and getting the ball to the players who can score is starting to shift towards Stevens as one of his flaws. The lack of depth and the execution definitely played a role in how the game ended, which has the coach a little optimistic that it was a game through most of the game.
"“We just have to become a better execution team,” Stevens said. “We had some good slips, some good cuts, I thought we could’ve had a lot more, let’s put it that way. I think we have to lower our offense; I think we have to have everybody be a little bit better and I think we will.”"
That extends to the coach as well. Jayson Tatum is his best offensive player right now and there shouldn’t be any stretch when he is on the floor that he doesn’t get a play run through him.
Not saying that is solely the reason the game got away from the Boston Celtics, but when you have an emerging superstar on your team, get him the ball.
Marcus Smart: Boston Celtics “can’t lose any sleep over it”
There are not many players who have the passion to compete more than Marcus Smart.
In contributing 13 points and six assists in the loss, the Boston Celtics versatile guard recognizes the benefits of playing teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets early in the season.
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Not only does it show the team how they measure up against great teams, but it also shows what their shortcoming are and what they need to improve on as the season moves forward.
"“The benefit of playing these two games against two great teams is it tests you to see where you’re at,” Smart said following the game. “It set the bar and now you know what you have to strive for. It’s a great look to test us as a team to see where we’re at and where we need to get to.”"
Smart went on to say that his team “can’t lose any sleep over it,” but Celtics fans may be doing just that in seeing what a team like the Brooklyn Nets did led by two superstar players in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
When Kemba Walker is back and players like Tristian Thompson and Jeff Teague settle into their roles, will a game like the one on Christmas Day have a more competitive ending?
Perhaps, but it is obvious the Boston Celtics need a move or two to add some depth and another scoring option to compliment the big four of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart.
Unless Danny Ainge breaks it all up and goes for a James Harden, he has the trade exception to get a player or two who could and should have an impact. As of right now the Celtics just have to look forward to the Indiana Pacers and getting back in the win column.
Two down, seventy to go.