LeBron James provided criticism this week of one in all his greatest profession rivals.
On the latest episode of his podcast, “Mind the Game,” with Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers star James spoke out in regards to the Boston Celtics after their elimination from the playoffs. James stated throughout his remarks that he believes the Celtics can get bored and complacent at occasions on the court docket.
“You assume they get bored typically?” stated James. “Like, they’ve been doing this s–t so lengthy. It looks as if they get bored typically with the — I don’t wish to say the method – as a result of they’re who they’re.
“If you have a look at [Jayson] Tatum and [Jaylen] Brown, that is years and years and years and years,” James added. “They’ve punched their 10,000 hours, however typically it looks as if they get a bit bored due to how nice they’re, not solely as these two as people, however them as a staff. And typically, it seems to be like they get bored.”
James’ take shouldn’t be a controversial one. The Celtics have been the NBA champions final 12 months on the power of their wrecking-machine offense that set a report for single-season offensive ranking (123.2). In addition they have a wealthy historical past of success with their Tatum-Brown core, making (through the years) 5 journeys to the Japanese Convention Finals and two to the NBA Finals together with their 2024 championship.
However this season specifically, the Celtics appeared vulnerable to stretches of disinterested play. Throughout their second-round collection vs. the New York Knicks, Boston blew multiple 20-point leads on their home floor, placing them behind the eight ball even earlier than Tatum tore his Achilles. They ultimately misplaced the collection 4-2, ending the Celtics’ hopes of a second straight title.
Now it seems to be like Boston’s sense of complacency, which was obvious to even James, may cost them dearly. Some outstanding NBA figures imagine that the Celtics, within the wake of their second-round exit, could now have to blow up their team this summer.