Boston’s lack of effort vs. Wiz ‘hard to explain’ so early in the season, says head coach Ime Udoka

Shades of last season — or early-campaign rust?

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is making a name for himself as a straight-shooter when it comes to what his players are doing wrong any given night, unafraid to talk about the mistakes and poor efforts tendered by said players when the situation calls for it.

And that perspective on Udoka’s coaching style was born out after the Celtics turned in a flat, disjointed effort against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, resulting in a lackadaisical 116 – 107 home loss too reminiscent of last season’s worst games for the comfort of many a Boston fan — and Udoka too, evidently.

“It’s hard to explain,” offered the Celtics coach, “this early in the season.”