Celtics' Jaylen Brown: Marcus Smart's Comments Not Needed, But All Is Well

The Celtics finally broke their string of mediocrity to start the season with a win over the Magic on Wednesday, but it took some time together in the locker room first.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics held an emotional players-only meeting to try to set things straight.

The meeting took place two days after the Celtics melted down in a loss to the Bulls, and Marcus Smart said that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown aren’t passing the ball nearly enough.

Per Woj, the meeting “was emotional at times, but in the end, perhaps, not a terribly productive meeting, maybe not even beneficial.”

“The last few days, we’ve just been focused on Orlando,” Brown said after scoring 28 points vs. the Magic. “That was the goal — come out, try to get a win. That was it. Team meeting (was) just an opportunity to talk as a group, get some communication going in, and move forward.

“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, et cetera. The last two days, we’ve just been focused on Orlando, and now we’re focused on Miami.”

“Obviously in the midst of trying to win games, it’s something that we probably didn’t need,” Brown said. “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, coaching staff. I’m always watching film trying to better myself and be a better basketball player and find ways to make my teammates better.”

The Celtics’ most notable changes came in the front office and the sideline, as Brad Stevens moved from the coaching chair into the head of basketball operations role. Stevens replaced himself with first-time head coach Ime Udoka. It’s clearly been an adjustment — but it’s better to struggle now than at the end of season.

“I can do a lot of things better,” Brown said. “Try to find ways to get guys going, talking to Jayson, trying to find ways to get him going. Just making our teammates better. I think that’s part of being a leader and things like that.

“I still have a lot of growth to do that I’m actively working on. But that’s my challenge and I’m focusing my energy on that. Just continuing to watch film and get better and see how I can make my teammates better.”