The date is November 1st, 2021. “I would just like to play basketball,” said Marcus Smart of Boston’s late game execution following the Celtics 128-114 loss to the Chicago Bulls. After an epic collapse and letting the Bulls outscore them 41-16 in the 4th quarter, the Celtics were staring at a 2-5 start to their season and searching for answers.
“Every team knows we are trying to go to Jayson and Jaylen and every team is programmed and studied to stop Jayson and Jaylen,” said Boston’s longest-tenured player. “I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys try to pass the ball.