The Boston Celtics are still one of the best teams in the NBA, but they have hit a few rough patches lately.
They have now lost two games in a row, including their Christmas Day match against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Following that loss, Jayson Tatum spoke to the press and took responsibility, according to a video shared by Daniel Donabedian, via ClutchPoints.
Tatum calmly and definitively said:
“We gotta take some ownership. … We [have to] acknowledge the things that we’ve done not so great. We gotta look in the mirror and man up. … We fully believe in ourselves.”
Celtics star Jayson Tatum on the team's recent slump following their Christmas Day loss at home to the Sixers:
"We gotta take some ownership. … We [have to] acknowledge the things that we've done not so great. We gotta look in the mirror and man up. … We fully believe in… pic.twitter.com/Ojjsr7k9tE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 26, 2024
Tatum made it clear: the Celtics have to do better.
Fans aren’t panicked, at least not yet, but they definitely want to see Boston rebound and start playing more consistent and better basketball.
They were favored to win their game against the 76ers, especially because it was at home, but they didn’t have an answer for Joel Embiid, Caleb Martin, and especially Tyrese Maxey, who scored 33 points and 12 assists.
Over the last few weeks, the Celtics have lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and 76ers.
They are holding onto the second seed in the East but falling further behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks are sneaking up behind them.
Now is the time for the Celtics to assert their dominance again and remind people why they are the reigning NBA champions.
The good news for Boston fans is that Tatum and the Celtics are mostly healthy and have a proven track record.
There is every reason to believe these problems could be behind them soon, as long as they do the necessary work.
Following Wednesday’s loss, Tatum is promising that they will.
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