Celtics Address Report Ime Udoka's Exit Bred Disconnect: 'We're Off Right Now'

Despite an identity crisis and a lack of closure, the Celtics are presenting a united front as they try to dig out from a 3-0 hole.

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How does the more talented team in a series find itself down 3-0?

In football, it's about who the best team is that day, increasing the likelihood of the favorite falling. But in the NBA playoffs, with a best-of-seven format, a situation like the one the Celtics find themselves in is rare.

So, what's behind Boston dropping the first three games and appearing to quit on Sunday? It's the Eastern Conference Finals! Already trailing 2-0 and lacking fight is alarming.

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This author's written all season about the need for the Celtics to get back to the defensive identity that best suits them, something Malcolm Brogdon voiced a day after Boston's 128-102 loss in Game 3.

But perhaps it runs deeper. The Celtics have been willing to share their thoughts and emotions about the departure of Ime Udoka, who guided them to the NBA Finals a year ago before getting removed a week before training camp due to violations of team policies.

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In a wide-ranging interview with The Ringer's Logan Murdock, Jaylen Brown expressed of Udoka's exit, "It was not the vibe; you know what I mean? That’s the way I always describe it. It was not good vibes."

At All-Star weekend, Jayson Tatum conveyed to the Washington Post’s Tramel Raggs that Udoka was "probably my most favorite coach I’ve ever had, and that’s not a knock on anybody."

The four-time All-Star also shared that the two periodically stayed in touch throughout this season.

Tatum, Brown, and the rest of the roster Udoka left behind will never gain closure because the nature of the latter's violations restricts what the franchise is willing and able to share, including with its players, leading to a lack of transparency regarding his suspension and subsequent termination.

Even the man himself had to remain tight-lipped about the matter at his introductory press conference after getting hired as the newest head coach of the Houston Rockets.

So, in the face of adversity, going against Erik Spoelstra, widely considered the best head coach in the NBA, including by this author, and a Heat team that does a better job than any other at not beating themselves, it would be understandable if frustrations below the surface bubbled over.

That's what ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski suggested on NBA Countdown, reporting the Celtics have "Never got over Ime Udoka’s dismissal as head coach."

But at Tuesday's shoot around before Game 4, along with channeling Kevin Millar, cautioning Miami, "Don't let us get one," Marcus Smart addressed the report of disconnect brewing in Boston's locker room.

"There’s no disconnect. It’s just we’re off right now. We had a bad week. We’ve been playing great basketball up until this point, and things happen," adding, "We just gotta figure out how to go out and get a win…once we do that, all this disconnect stuff will go out the window."

The Celtics' floor general also stated Udoka's firing has nothing to do with their current struggles.

Marcus Smart: "It's on us. There's only so much that any coach can do for you out there as a player" pic.twitter.com/cYZgZWX5FD

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 23, 2023

"No. No. Regardless of if Ime was here or not, we’re the ones out there playing. We gotta go out there and play. Joe does a great job of putting us in the right positions. They come up with a game plan. It’s on us. There's only so much any coach can do for you out there as a player. At some point, you gotta look at yourself and figure it out."

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Smart also offered his thoughts on head coach Joe Mazzulla taking the blame for Boston's Game 3 defeat.

"That's Joe. That's who Joe is. He's a competitor; he wants to be perfect. He wants to do everything right. But this (is) not on Joe. Joe can't go out there and check himself in the game, so it's on us. And we appreciate Joe taking it, but everything isn't on Joe. It's on us."

And with the Celtics trying to make history and become the first NBA team to dig out of a 3-0 hole, Robert Williams voiced, "It's easy to go your separate ways when everything is not going your way but to stay together and make it through that, you can build something strong with that, so that's what we're trying to head towards."

Further Reading

Looking to do the Impossible, Celtics Channel Kevin Millar: 'Don't Let Us Get One'

Malcolm Brogdon Gives Brutally Honest Assessment of Celtics

Trading Jaylen Brown is a Gamble the Celtics are Better Off Not Making

Joe Mazzulla Takes Blame for Celtics' Getting Blown Out in Game 3 of Eastern Conference Finals: 'I Have to be Better'

Here's What Stood Out in Game 3 Loss to Heat: Celtics on Brink of Elimination After Worst Performance This Postseason

Celtics React to Letting 12-Point Lead Slip in Fourth Quarter of Game 2 Loss to Heat: 'We Let Everybody Down'

Grant Williams Reacts to Heated Altercation with Jimmy Butler

Here's What Stood Out in Game 2 Loss: Celtics Blow 12-Point Fourth-Quarter Lead, Go to Miami Down 0-2

Celtics Address 'Letting Go of the Rope' After Game 1 Loss to Heat

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Loss: Heat's Third-Quarter Haymaker Propels Them to 1-0 Lead