Celtics Hold Emotional Players Only Meeting To Address Dreadful Start, Smart's Comments

The Boston Celtics players have decided to take matters into their own hands.

It wouldn't be unfair to say that the Celtics have been in disarray thus far this season. They've struggled badly out of the gate, having taken a 2-5 record into Orlando on Wednesday night. In addition, after another disastrous loss on Monday, Marcus Smart called out Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum for not wanting to share the ball.

But as reported by NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the team held a players-only meeting when the team arrived in Florida for their Wednesday night meeting with the Magic.

Reporting for NBA Countdown on the Celtics holding a players-only meeting in Orlando – and how there remains a lot of work to be done among franchise’s key players. pic.twitter.com/1fQ7VmDsdC
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 3, 2021

Apparently, the meeting was emotional, with Smart, Brown, and Tatum talking about Smart's comments, and about the team's struggles. Although Woj suggested the meeting wasn't very productive, the Celts did go out and lock down the Magic to less than 80 points in a 92-79 win.

Jaylen Brown told ESPN afterwards that this core group has been through a lot together, and they just needed to clear the air.

Team meeting, just an opportunity to talk as a group, get some communication going in, and move forward.
"At the end of the day, we've been playing basketball together for a long time, all of us, especially our core group. So when it comes down to it, it's all about trying to find ways to win, and that's what the conversation was about."

Brown also addressed Smart's inflammatory comments directly, saying "Obviously in the midst of trying to win games, it's something that we probably didn't need. But we all communicate and talk to each other. So we're always trying to find ways to win and I'm open to any and everything when guys bring it to me."

In fact, both Brown and Tatum's assist numbers are down this season, and, as pointed out by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, there's been a focus for both players' "need to grow as playmakers both throughout the preseason and the first two weeks of the regular season."

It's only one win vs. the lowly Magic, but it's a start.

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports