The Boston Celtics were the oddsmakers’ favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals at the beginning of the playoffs.
Fast forward to today, and they might not even be in contention after Thursday night.
The Celtics underperformed against the Atlanta Hawks — a team some analysts thought they should’ve swept or beaten in just five games — and they’ve now dug themselves into a hole against the Philadelphia 76ers.
And now, Jay Williams believes Joe Mazzulla has now lost his locker room.
“I really feel like Joe Mazzulla has lost the locker room.”@RealJayWilliams sees major issues with the Boston Celtics. #KJM pic.twitter.com/77wTvhDbWW
— Keyshawn, JWill & Max (@KeyJayandMax) May 10, 2023
Williams explained that the Celtics haven’t been able to put in a consistent effort, which has been an issue throughout the season.
He also pointed out that Marcus Smart admitted that there was a lot of “randomness” in their offense, which is obviously not a good sign.
Last but not least, Williams cited that Mazzulla hasn’t even made a single adjustment in this series, as opposed to what has happened between Steve Kerr and Darvin Ham in the Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Lakers matchup.
Williams thinks Mazzulla is way in over his head in the Celtics’ locker room.
He pretty much inherited the same roster from Ime Udoka, making it even better with the addition of Malcolm Brodgon.
But for whatever reason, he just hasn’t been able to get them to play with the same intensity that got them to the NBA Finals last season.
And even if they manage to come back from this deficit, that kind of on-and-off effort won’t get the job done against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
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