BOSTON — Celtics fans are outraged after the teams embarrassing loss to the 16-44 Bulls, for good reason.
In losing, the Celtics looked like a rudderless team with nothing to play for. They were out-rebounded, out-shot and overall out-hustled. The Celtics didn't capitalize on a multitude of opportunities they had – from making free throws to converting turnovers into points.
Boston fans, eager for this team to perform up to preseason expectations, are frustrated by lackluster performances from a group of players looking for increased roles despite no evidence to suggest they're deserved. The Red Sox won the World Series. The Patriots won the Super Bowl. The city of Boston wants results – fast!
A 2-4 record in their last six, with two losses coming out of the All-Star Break, doesn't cut it. And they lost to the Bulls.
After that insufferable defeat, the discord carried over to the locker room. Players weren't on the same page answering questions about their recent play.
Coach Brad Stevens has owned the inconsistent play from his team, but remains optimistic given basketball's ebbs and flows.
"The bottom line is that it is what it is. Every game is its own entity," said Stevens. "We did a thing a few years ago and we shared that with our guys. We got beat by 40 by Cleveland and we came back in Game 3 and won. It happens all the time in basketball and there is a reason it happens. At the end of the day, and I said this before, I'm just disappointed at myself and I've got to do a lot better."
Marcus Smart had an entirely different take. Smart's motor never stops and it would be nice if a few of his teammates followed suit. Smart believes the C's aren't bringing any hustle to the table.
When asked about how this current Celtics team compares to others, he rattled off a bunch of issues.
"Our toughness. Our will to fight. Our will to do everything. It's just like, we don't got the will to do it anymore. I don't know how you teach effort, will, want-to. I don't think you can," Smart said.
Through 61 games last year, Boston was 42-19. They lost consecutive games only four times. Today, they're 37-23. They've lost consecutive games seven times. And they lost the Bulls.
Jayson Tatum compared this year's team to what he experienced as a rookie last year and notes one constant – a will to win.
"It's no secret. Everybody in the world can see that our team is different this year than last year," Tatum said. "It's taking some time. Every time we lose a game, it's not the end of the world. We all have to bring it, and it starts with me too. The championship is the goal. It was at the beginning of the season for me and all of us, and it still is now."
Kyrie Irving, at times flippant, dismissive or downright explosive and accusatory in postgame comments throughout the year, was notably calm and positive in the wake of Saturday's embarrassing loss in Chicago.
"You have to be able to adapt," said Irving. "In this league the teams that adapt the quickest - or they adapt at the right time - are successful in the playoffs, as you know. We're still waiting for that thing to click. We've gone on eight-games, six-games, four-games winning streaks and then we'll hit a lull and be back at it answering questions like this. I don't get frustrated by stuff like this anymore. It's just part of the regular season."
What to make of the wide range of reactions? Are they on the same page? Does it matter when they're on the court?
Time is not on the Celtics side as they look to resolve issues that have plagued them all year. In their next five games, they find the Raptors, Trail Blazers, Rockets and Warriors lurking on the schedule. None of them has won less than 34 games.
At least they don't have to play the Bulls again.
Noah Powell is an intern in the Boston 25 Sports Department. Follow Noah on Twiter: @npow55
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