Though he is personally enjoying a career year, Marcus Morris isn’t happy with his team’s success — or overall attitude.
The veteran forward didn’t mince words following Boston’s dramatic collapse against the LA Clippers on Saturday, a game in which the Boston Celtics led by as many as 28 points before losing 123-112.
“We’re going to lose games, but we don’t have no attitude, we don’t have no toughness, we ain’t having fun,” Morris told reporters after the game. “It’s going to be a long season.”
Morris’ comments come just one week after teammate Kyrie Irving appeared to hedge on his early-season commitment to re-signing with Boston when he becomes a free agent this offseason. Despite his return (and that of Gordon Hayward) from injury last season, the Celtics are just fifth in the East behind the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers. Irving exited Saturday’s game with a right knee sprain.
Most of Boston’s younger players, meanwhile, have either plateaued or taken a step back after showing promise during the team’s run to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season.
The Celtics appeared to have turned a corner in recent weeks, a stretch that included winning 10 out of 11 before dropping their most recent games to the Clippers and Lakers. Just as concerning is Boston’s competition at the top of the East. The Bucks, Raptors and 76ers each made significant additions to their respective teams before Thursday’s trade deadline while the Celtics ultimately stood pat.
“Trade deadline’s over,” Morris said bluntly. “This is the team we’re rocking with, this is what we going with. So, at the end of the day man, it’s unacceptable what we did tonight. It’s very unacceptable for a team of our caliber.”
With the only possible changes coming via buyout free agent acquisitions, Morris believes the current roster must improve internally, and not just in terms of on-court production.
“When I look around the league I see a bunch of guys getting up and cheering on the bench and playing for each other,” Morris observed. “When I look at us, I just see a bunch of individuals.”
