Boston Celtics veteran center Al Horford didn’t have much to say regarding teammate Marcus Morris’ criticisms of the team’s mindset, attitude and camaraderie following their Saturday night collapse against the Los Angeles Clippers. Speaking to reporters following Monday’s practice, Horford would note that Boston had indeed addressed Morris’ comments but were moving past them.
However, while Horford was coy about what the Celtics said in response to Morris, he would offer his own thoughts on the team’s chemistry:
The common theme between Morris and Horford’s statement is that the team chemistry does tend to be tested in when the team loses. To that point, it’s been said that a team’s character will be tested in losses and if that’s the case, there are big problems in Beantown.
Boston has at times been quick to put blame on teammates and hang their heads if they have a tough game, not the type of behavior that’s ideal. Locker room tiffs, players going through rifts and frustrations from underwhelming performances are common with NBA teams. After all, it’s a long grueling season and players are with each other more than their own families.
Yet, teams that play for each other like brothers-in-arms don’t openly blame and critique each other. Even at the high point of the Golden State Warriors drama, their players didn’t go public with their problems. They would battle against the media before letting it be known there were battles within the locker room.
Morris’ comments weren’t met with surprise by the fan base or people around the Association but it was relatively unexpected for him to go off on a tirade about the Celtics’ shortcomings.
To win a championship, Boston may not have to come together in times of strain rather than push each other away. But to become a dynasty, they will.
