Marcus Smart frustrated with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown: “They don’t want to pass the ball”

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 27: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards on October 27, 2021 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

The Boston Celtics led with as much as 14 points by the end of the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls, though the latter finally escaped with the win, following the Celtics’ collapse in the fourth period.

Marcus Smart was frustrated with the result (third consecutive defeat for Boston), and criticized teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown post-game and highlighted that they should try to create more for the rest of the team.

“I would just like to play basketball,” Smart told reporters. “Every team knows we’re trying to go to Jayson and Jaylen. Every team is programmed and studied to stop Jayson and Jaylen. I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys pass the ball”

“They don’t want to pass the ball. That’s something that they’re going to learn. They’re still learning,” Smart added. “We’re proud of the progress they’re making, but they’re going to have to make another step and find ways to not only create for themselves but create for others on this team […] It’s something we’ve been asking them to do and they’re learning”.

From a statistics point of view, Smart’s comments do resonate. Both Tatum and Brown are among the top six players in the NBA with the fewest assists per game over 20 shots (3.7 and 2.5 respectively, according to StatMuse).

 

Photo: Getty Images

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