The Celtics have a winning record (barely) sitting in fourth place in the East at 13-12. The loss to the lowly Detroit Pistons last night revealed the major issue facing the 202021 Celtics crew, namely that they lack FIRE.
Why is that? Is it the team's youth? Could be. Do they lack a well-defined leader on the court? Definitely! Their two stars are still young and not ready to take on that role.
Is it the lack of a live home crowd cheering them on? My guess is that cardboard fans (or whatever they are made of) just don't cut it. Many fans are blaming Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens. I am a fan of both, but success and failure start at the top.
Do they miss Marcus Smart, their most-incendiary soldier? Yes, they do, but his absence is only part of the issue. These are only excuses.
On the subject of fire, let me introduce 87-year-old Bill Russell. As Celtics star, captain and coach, he wouldn't allow what we are seeing from The Green. In his prime, he would have set the tone - turn on the heat - and play his heart out for the win.
So would Larry Bird - and John Havlicek - and Paul Pierce - and Kevin Garnett. None of this quintet will be "walking through that door", and neither will Red Auerbach. Does anyone honestly think the Redhead would allow the level of lethargy we are witnessing.
The current version of the Boston Celtics has the talented roster to be much better than we have seen thus far. The 87 burning candles on Russell's birthday cake reminded me of what is missing in his team 52 years after Russ left the hardwood. Fire IS energy, whether on a birthday cake or in the hearts of the current crop of Celtics players. We need to see something ignite the crew that Danny Ainge has assembled.
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