Marcus Smart on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown: ‘They don’t want to pass the ball’

Chris Grenham: Marcus Smart: “I would just like to play basketball. 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 …

Chris Grenham: Marcus Smart: “I would just like to play basketball. 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. 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 to open up the court for them “¡later down in the game where they’re always going to have to take those tough shots or take tough matchups when they do get the 1-on-1 or they bring the trap. It’s something we’ve been asking them to do and they’re learning. We just gotta continue to help those guys do that “to help our team.”

Source: Twitter @chrisgrenham

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Marcus Smart says Tatum, Brown need to pass more for Celtics to win nba.nbcsports.com/2021/11/02/mar…3:03 AM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Those Marcus Smart quotes are the quotes of a man who knows there’s nobody in that lockerroom capable of beating him in a fair one – 1:50 AM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
It was a surprising night for Marcus Smart to critique Jayson Tatum’s late game passing pic.twitter.com/3MLYIck3481:02 AM

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Just rewatched fourth quarter collapse. A lot of things went wrong for Celtics (especially on defense) but a lack of passing from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown did not stand out amid the offensive struggles. – 12:49 AM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
I still say the Celtics made a mistake not going after Lonzo Ball. Would have fit in well with Tatum and Jaylen. Advances the ball, unselfish as hell, improved perimeter shooter and can defend. – 12:10 AM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Marcus Smart comments tonight probably aren’t gonna sit well with Tatum & Jaylen. Probably would have been better to talk to them & not in media.
Bottom line: This team doesn’t look like they really enjoy playing with one another. Obviously, losing has a lot to do with it. – 11:57 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: Marcus Smart had some pointed words for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum after the Celtics’ ugly fourth quarter collapse against the Bulls masslive.com/celtics/2021/1…11:44 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Since people are asking:
Ime Udoka met with the media first, as is always the case.
Then Marcus Smart and then Al Horford.
We were told Jaylen Brown would be the third, and final, player. Then we were told he’s not available.
Jayson Tatum did not speak with the media either. – 11:05 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum did not speak with the media tonight. #Celtics11:03 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jaylen Brown was going to meet with the media, but Celtics PR says he’s not available. – 11:00 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown decline to talk after tonight’s collapse. – 11:00 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
I applaud the Celtics’ reporters giving Marcus Smart’s comments tonight full context but once you say “I can only do so much standing in the corner” and “They don’t want to pass the ball” I feel like it’s hard to make up for it with the rest of the quote(s) – 10:52 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Full Marcus Smart quote on Brown/Tatum and wanting to play with more flow in crunch time pic.twitter.com/RKTlm5SVEm10:39 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
FWIW, I don’t think anything Marcus Smart said tonight about the Celtics late-game offense is incorrect.
Going back to the bubble, Boston has become a “walk it up” and go into ISO team in every close fourth quarter. Smart wants them to run and to move the ball to get guys shots. – 10:37 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Marcus Smart: “I would just like to play basketball. 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 – 10:30 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Marcus Smart:
“Only so much I can do without the ball in my hands sitting in the corner. We’re running plays for our best players, every team knows that. They do a good job of shutting that down. We can’t allow that. … – 10:27 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Asked Marcus Smart if the team knows where to go after the initial options on plays in the fourth quarter, he said every team in the league knows they are going to Tatum and Brown and it’s hard for him to help when the ball is out of his hands and he’s standing in the corner. – 10:26 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Marcus Smart quietly said he wants to be more involved in the offense. Then he added that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum need to move the ball move, so that they aren’t taking such difficult shots.
On a follow-up Smart said “I’m a great passer. I know I can get guys good shots.” – 10:26 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Marcus Smart on offensive struggles late: “There’s only so much I can do when the ball isn’t in my hands and I’m standing in the corner.” Hints he wants to be more involved in offense playmaking late in games to help setup teammates. – 10:25 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Marcus Smart says Tatum and Brown need to pass the ball more so they don’t have to take as many tough shots. – 10:24 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Marcus Smart: “I can only do so much just standing in the corner.” – 10:24 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Marcus Smart on late-game struggles for the Celtics: “Whatever we have to do, we gotta figure it out. No one is going to figure it out for us.” – 10:23 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Marcus Smart on fourth quarter collapses: “We gotta fix it. Whatever we gotta do, we gotta figure it out…we are going through the rain right now.” – 10:22 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Marcus Smart: “We let the number one transition team in the league get out in transition. We let the number one free throw shooting team get to the line over and over.” – 10:21 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Tatum and Brown were a combined 1-for-10 for 2 pts in the 4Q. #Celtics10:13 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics lose 128-114, led #Bulls 96-77. Outscored 39-11 in 4Q. Drop to 2-5, 0-3 at home. This Ime Udoka era is off to a putrid start. DeRozan 37, LaVine 26; Brown 28 (0 in 4Q), Tatum 20, Horford 20. – 9:51 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I’ve said it before, Tatum is my favorite player, but he’s been terrible down the stretch tonight. – 9:45 PM
Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Celtics down 4. Tatum doesn’t get call on the drive. Is late getting back while lamenting it. Bulls attack and get shooting foul. pic.twitter.com/3EhPl8hHTS9:43 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Tatum’s problem isn’t that he complains to the refs too much, it’s that he is losing two steps in transition defense as he is yelling to the ref across the court during live play & then his guy gets an open drive while he’s still trailing. He’s gotta stay focused, complain later. – 9:40 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Jaylen Brown, Boston’s leading scorer tonight (28 points), has just one shot attempt in the fourth quarter.
The last possession was the first where the Celtics emphasized getting the ball to him, which resulted in his first FGA. – 9:40 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Feels like Jaylen Brown needs a touch. A quality touch too. Not something where it’s set for him to catch and swing it. – 9:39 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Tatum’s passing in the fourth quarter has been horrendous. Every pass is soft with no urgency. – 9:38 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Like Jones on Tatum and Ball on Tatum! – 9:37 PM
Abby Chin @tvabby
Lonzo Ball straight smothering Jayson Tatum!! Zero seperation. – 9:33 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
No idea what turnover from Tatum was.
17-2 Bulls run and Chicago leads. – 9:29 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Tatum already back in and now Horford is coming back. Both got a very short rest. – 9:27 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics are 0-for-6 FG with two TOs in the first 2:31 of 4Q. Jaylen and Smart returning. #Bulls9:23 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics lead 103-89 after three
Brown – 28 points
Tatum – 18 points
Horford – 15 points
Celtics – 15-25 three-pointers
Celtics – 6 turnovers
DeRozan – 27 points
LaVine – 13 points
Ball – 12 points
Bulls – 10-25 three-pointers
Bulls – 13 turnovers – 9:16 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics lead #Bulls 103-89 after 3Q. Brown 28, Tatum 18, Horford 15, Smart 14, Schroder 13; DeRozan 27, LaVine 13, Ball 12, Vucevic 11. – 9:15 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
After 3. Boston 103-89. DeRozan with 27. Boston: 60%-3s. Brown with 28pts. Tatum with 18. – 9:15 PM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Throw it DOWN, Jayson Tatum 💪
pic.twitter.com/VVn8w0LqXJ9:08 PM
Abby Chin @tvabby
Al Horford walks to the bench with a huge smile on his face. All of a sudden #Celtics up 18 with both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown firing on all cylinders! – 9:06 PM
Marc D’Amico @celtics
JAYSON TATUM 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/nf3hDm8Z4U9:02 PM

John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
Great patience by Jaylen Brown … not forcing it, gave it up to Horford who attack and got it right back to Brown for an open 3. Give it up and trust your teammates to get it back – 9:01 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jaylen with another 3 and he has 26 of his 28 points in roughly the past 15 minutes. #Celtics #Bulls9:01 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Celtics are firing offensively right now behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Boston is shooting 60% from 3 and 50.8% from the field. They lead by 18. – 9:01 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Tatum and Brown have combined for 46 points. Boston up 87-69 with 5:23 left 3rd – 9:00 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Celtics are on a 52-23 run. Jaylen Brown has 26 of his points during this run. – 9:00 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Bulls D hasn’t been great tonight, but Tatum and Brown are also making some really difficult shots. Just a deadlier duo than the Bulls’ duo of LaVine and DeRozan. – 9:00 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
One of the rare stretches this season when Jaylen and Tatum are cooking at the same time.
Related: Celtics by 18. – 9:00 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
OK Tatum! Been waiting on that one for a while. – 8:59 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
TD Garden loved Jayson Tatum shaking Lonzo Ball in that 1-on-1 matchup. – 8:59 PM
John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
Marcus Smart just slipped and grabbed his left calf. He’s staying in right now, but that has been a problem for him in the past – 8:56 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Marcus Smart just grabbed the back of his leg after falling down. He appears to be in pain, but gave the thumbs up sign to the Celtics bench. – 8:56 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Marcus Smart is limping after losing the ball but he’s staying in the game. #Celtics #Bulls8:56 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
That was Tatum’s first 3-point attempt of the game, weirdly enough. – 8:55 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Jaylen Brown is up to 22 points, six rebounds and three assists on 8-of-14 FG. He’s 4-of-6 from deep. – 8:54 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Last 10 minutes…
Boston 37
Chicago 13
18 of those points for Jaylen Brown.
72-59, Celtics, early 3rd. – 8:52 PM
John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
I don’t know what that was, but Jaylen Brown and Dennis Schroder were having a very spirited, smile-filled discussion after the Brown 3 to push the lead to 72-59 – 8:50 PM
Abby Chin @tvabby
Jaylen Brown still fire!!! – 8:49 PM
Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Well this is a chance for the #Bulls to see if they can figure out the defense. They trail Celtics 67-59 at halftime. Biggest difference is FTs, with Bos 8-10, Bulls 3-3.
DeRozan has 21 pts, Lonzo 12; Jaylen Brown 17 – 8:34 PM
Marc D’Amico @celtics
JB sparking some offense in the second to put us up 67-59 ☘️ pic.twitter.com/3yIVETCGRc8:33 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics lead 67-59 at the half
Brown – 17 points
Horford – 12 points
Smart – 12 points
Tatum – 11 points
Celtics – 9-16 three-pointers
Celtics – 1 turnover
DeRozan – 21 points
LaVine – 12 points
Bulls – 8-17 three-pointers
Bulls – 11 turnovers – 8:33 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics end 2Q on a 32-13 run, lead #Bulls 67-59 at half. Brown 17 (15 in 2Q), Horford 12, Smart 12, Tatum 11; DeRozan 21, Ball 12. – 8:32 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Caruso thought the Bulls had a foul to give, or the bench told him they did. Either way, that was a big mistake. Gifted Tatum two free throws. – 8:31 PM
David Morrow @_DavidMorrow
It took Tatum years to figure out how to finish through contact, but his game has gotten so complete. Love seeing the growth. – 8:30 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Tatum scores lay-up, puts C’s up 57-52. What may be overlooked in that sequence, was the turnover Boston forced AFTER Tatum fought over a screen to stay with Levine rather than just “switch everything” which too many Celtic players are too comfortable with doing. – 8:27 PM
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Jaylen Brown just scored 13 points in 2 1/2 minutes.
(Previous tweet said 90 seconds. My math was off!) – 8:26 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Marcus Smart dives for a loose ball, which leads to a Jaylen Brown 3-pointer. That’s followed by a Chicago miss, then followed by a 3-pointer by Marcus Smart. #momentumplays8:23 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
13 points in a row for Jaylen Brown. 15 on the game. – 8:23 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
13 straight points for Jaylen Brown. What a run. – 8:22 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
What a flurry by Jaylen Brown, who just scored 10 points over 1:38 to pull the Celtics within one. – 8:20 PM
John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
Jaylen Brown is on F.I.R.E. 10 straight Celtics points including back-to-back 3’s. Looks like he’s figured out how to bounce back from big overtime minutes – 8:19 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
10-0 Jaylen Brown run in 99 seconds.
Celtics cut it from 11 to 1, 46-45, mid-2nd. – 8:19 PM
Abby Chin @tvabby
Jaylen Brown started this game 1-for-6. He’s hit every shot since and draining four straight buckets! #Celtics cut 11-point deficit to 1. – 8:19 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jaylen Brown comes out of nowhere to drop 10 points in 1:42 and the #Celtics are down just 46-45. #Bulls8:19 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Jaylen Brown in the zone with 12pts. Bulls lead cut to 1…46-45. 6:49 left 2nd. – 8:19 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Jaylen Brown is doing just about anything he wants when defended by Lonzo Ball right now. He has 10 straight points. – 8:19 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
7-0 run by Jaylen Brown. – 8:18 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics lead 35-34 after one
Smart – 9 points
Tatum – 8 points
Celtics – 4-8 three-pointers
Celtics – 0 turnovers
DeRozan – 11 points
Ball – 9 points
Bulls – 7-9 three-pointers
Bulls – 5 turnovers – 8:08 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics lead #Bulls 35-34 after 1Q. DeRozan 11, Ball 9; Smart 9, Tatum 8. Schroder 5.
CHI: 7-9 on 3pt – 8:07 PM
John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
We briefly had Jayson Tatum as the center in a super-small lineup. – 8:06 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Boston’s playing some defense now. And this is the most energy Tatum has shown all year. He’s on the boards on both ends. – 8:02 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Posting up Marcus Smart is not a Smart play.
Smart’s energy has been better after the early Celtics timeout. – 7:56 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Marcus Smart jogs back in transition after a floater in traffic and doesn’t get back to cover Lonzo Ball for an open 3; Udoka calls the early timeout. That’s been a theme this season. – 7:45 PM
John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
Celtics run a set alley oop for Rob that doesn’t work, Tatum gets it back, drives, blows the layup, Celtics miss the third chance….. then Chicago drills a 3. So wonderful start – 7:43 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Lonzo Ball is matched with Jayson Tatum early on for Bulls – 7:43 PM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Good to be back at the Garden. Now we’ll see if the 2-4 Celtics can get a much-needed win at home against Chicago.
Marcus Smart and Robert Williams both back for the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/62zqQ7sP4L7:43 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Third straight game for Jayson Tatum going against one of his best friends in the NBA. Two against Bradley Beal and now tonight against Javonte Green. – 7:42 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
TONIGHT’S STARTERS:
Team : CHI (Visitor)
Ball, Lonzo
DeRozan, DeMar
Green, Javonte
LaVine, Zach
Vucevic, Nikola
Team : BOS (Home)
Brown, Jaylen
Horford, Al
Smart, Marcus
Tatum, Jayson
Williams III, Robert – 7:14 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Bulls at Celtics – TD Garden – November 1, 2021 – Starting Lineups
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, R. Williams
Chicago – Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Javonte Green, Nikola Vucevic
OUT: Boston: None Chicago: Patrick Williams pic.twitter.com/qM8wnkuRTy7:06 PM

Mark Murphy @Murf56
Jaylen Brown is averaging 39.4 overtime-inflated minutes and is not restricted despite his issues coming back from COVID. Udoka: “We’ll keep him on the same minutes and just monitor him in general. He trying to focus on being more active and not letting that get in his head.” – 6:56 PM
Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Jaylen Brown catching up with Javonte Green: pic.twitter.com/wqf5di98bP6:10 PM

Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
Dennis Schroder, wearing his Celtics beanie, out on the floor alongside Jayson Tatum: pic.twitter.com/TGEkFTzThf6:02 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics starters tonight vs Chicago:
Robert Williams
Al Horford
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Marcus Smart
Back to the original open group. No minutes restrictions for Brown nor Horford. Team will continue to monitor Brown, as he recovers from having COVID. – 5:49 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
If you watch or listen to the new @FrontOfficeShow when it’s up in a little bit, you might hear our little guy Tatum making some noise. Nothing like a puppy dreaming while hugging his favorite toy! pic.twitter.com/70UjUb1QIe11:55 AM

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Trending down
Damian Lillard from 3 in losses: 2/31
Giving free points away: 13 teams below 75% FT
Houston in the 1H: -40 in last 2G
Jayson Tatum FGA: 3 games of 28+ (2 last year) – 9:27 AM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Tonight’s @Chicago Bulls @Marc D’Amico game will feature the 6th, 7th and 8th leading scorers in the NBA. Jayson Tatum (6th) and Jaylen Brown (7th) averaging 26 per game. All Star and Olympic Gold medalist @Zach LaVine is 8th at 25ppg. Join @34billy42 and me tonight. @670TheScore 6:15 – 7:13 AM

More on this storyline

“There’s only so much I can do without the ball in my hands, I’m just standing in the corner,” Smart said. “We’re running plays for our best players, every team knows that. They do a good job of shutting that down. We can’t allow that. When they shut that down, we can’t keep trying to go to those guys. “I do everything I can on the other end to try to combat that. I try to talk, I try to make plays, get those guys the ball where they need it, where they want it.” -via Boston Globe / November 2, 2021