Marcus Smart seems fed up with the Celtics’ isolation-heavy offense, which often leaves him “standing in the corner.”
After Chicago handed Boston its third straight loss at home on Monday, 128-114, Smart called out teammates Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to “pass the ball” more.
“Every team knows we’re going to Jayson [Tatum] and Jaylen [Brown], and every team is programmed and studies to stop Jayson and Jaylen,” Smart said. “I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys try and pass the ball. They don’t want to pass the ball and that’s something that they’re going to learn.”
Smart went on to explain why he’s limited in helping improve the Celtics’ offense after a 2-5 start in Ime Udoka’s first season as coach.
“There’s only so much I can do without the ball in my hands, I just stand in the corner,” he said. “When we’re running plays for your best players, every team knows that and they do a good job of shutting that down.
Marcus Smart plays against the Bulls on Nov. 1, 2021. USA TODAY Sports“We can’t allow that, when they shut that down we can’t keep trying to go to those guys, we gotta abort that and find them another way to get them the ball in spots that they need the ball. And like I said for me, I can only do so much standing in the corner, or when I come up and give the ball away.”
Brown and Tatum, who combined for 48 points, started strong against the Bulls, but fizzled late in the game. Tatum recorded two points in the fourth on 1-for-8 shooting, while Brown went scoreless on two shots.
“They’re still learning and we’re proud of the progress they are making, but they are going to have to make another step and find ways to not only create for themselves but create for others on this team,” said Smart, who finished with 16 points and a single rebound.
Chicago rallied back from a 19-point deficit in the second half at TD Garden, where Celtics fans booed their home team. Chicago outscored Boston 39-11 in the fourth quarter to flip a 14-point deficit into a 14-point victory.
Jayson Tatum against the Bulls on Nov. 1, 2021. USA TODAY Sports“To open up the court for them later in the game where they don’t always have to take those tough shots or take tough matchups when they do get the 1-on-1 and see a trap,” Smart said. “Just reading that It’s something that we’ve been asking for them to do and they’re learning. We just got to continue to help those guys do that and help our team.”
The Celtics visit the Magic on Wednesday.
