Al Horford on Celtics’ Troubles: “We Need to Stay Toghether”

The Boston Celtics yesterday lost their fifth game in the last six. Houston Rockets showed them the difference between being a serious playoff contender and just relying upon big names in your team.

James Harden, Chris Paul and the rest of the visitors held a clinic in some part of the contest. At one moment of the early third quarter, Rockets were up 28 points, 71-43.

Even though the Celts managed to come back and cut the deficit to under 10 points, they were unable to perform a huge sensation and win.

And to be honest, they didn’t deserve to do that.

The fans once again witnessed Boston’s performance in which there isn’t too much chemistry, and everything goes down to playing one-on-one isolations, or shooting from behind the arc. Not a sight from the last season’s San-Antonio-like basketball, with good ball movement, and diversity of attacking options.

Right now, the Celts are looking like a team of free agents, in which each player wants to emphasize its own contribution.

Al Horford's 19 points were 2nd on the Celtics in their 115-104 loss to the Rockets on Sunday at TD Garden. https://t.co/0SaqPHS8gB pic.twitter.com/2QqiHpCCFp

— NESN (@NESN) March 4, 2019

Al Horford spoke about that. The center didn’t say it directly, but when looking at the statement, something like that could be found in his words.

“This is when our group, we need to make sure that we stay together and even closer because I know it’s hard,” Big Al stated after the game with Houston. “We’re the first ones that don’t want to lose, but we just need to continue to work because we feel like we can be better than this.”

At the moment, the Celtics are fifth in the East, far far away from the No.1 seed where everyone saw them before the start of the season. The difference between them and the Bucks is 10.5 games. Brad Stevens and his boys now have to give everything they have to improve the overall record in the last 18 games of the season.

The 76ers are two games ahead, Pacers two and a half. But what is more important is that they have to reach the home court advantage, at least for that first round. Both Wells Fargo Center and Bankers Life Fieldhouse are one hostile places, especially during the postseason.

Boston has a lot of quality players on their roster, and some believe that in fact, that is the main reason for problems. It is noticeable that the relationships in the locker room aren’t good. Several outbursts are a proof for that. Kyrie, Morris, Smart, all of these guys suggested with their statements that something isn’t fitting right in Massachusets.

Brad Stevens tied to mix the lineup and try different variations, but even that didn’t bring positive improvements. After some time he realized that this isn’t going to solve struggles.

“..and if it’s the root of your issues, then I think a small tweak can help. I’m not sure that that’s our root (of problems).”

The tension among the fans is growing, and everybody can feel that. It isn’t only because of a bad record and this offseason, but also because of the upcoming free agency.

Brad Stevens points toward competing together as a team to fix Celtics recent woes. Full Presser: https://t.co/6qrGhrgSfE pic.twitter.com/7PKmiq2lHK

— NESN (@NESN) March 4, 2019

Boston didn’t do anything in this trade deadline, yet the goals were high. Furthermore, Kyrie Irving went from “I am staying long-term” to “We’ll see what happens,” and that is something which deepens the issues at TD Garden. With several teams preparing for the upcoming season, we could see many changes, especially in Boston. We don’t have to mention that the Knicks’ fans already started recruiting Uncle Drew.

They could easily end up without their cornerstone, and trying to figure out how to replace him, instead of upgrading the team and take a shot at the title.

The chemistry was even more disturbed when rumors appeared that the organization is offering young players who led the team last season, in return for Anthony Davis.

Maybe that is why Jayson Tatum and the rest of the youngsters play without too much motivation now.

All in all, things aren’t looking very bright for the Celts.