The uncomfortable truth about the Celtics and leadership

Marcus Smart's comments about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown needing to pass more, received mixed reviews. But there's no denying the team's play since then - two wins in as many games.

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The world bid adieu to one the great leaders of our generation when Colin L. Powell, the United State's first Black Secretary of State, was laid to rest this week.

Powell, 84, died last month due to COVID-19 complications.

While the conversation about leadership is an ongoing discussion in all circles of life, there are few who defined what leadership looks like, better than Powell.

“Colin Powell was a great leader because he was a great follower,” his son, Michael Powell, said at his funeral this week. “He knew you could not ask your troops to do anything you were unwilling to do yourself.”

Which brings us to the Boston Celtics who were in the news this week following comments made by Marcus Smart that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown need to pass the ball more.

Some felt Smart’s comments should have stayed in-house and not been made available for public consumption while others felt the longest-tenured current Celtic was justified in speaking HIS truth on the matter.

We have a word for what Smart did.

It’s called leadership.

And it’s not perfect; never has and never will be.

But the best kind is usually decisive, impactful and more likely than not, will ruffle a few feathers along the way.

“Obviously in the midst of trying to win games, you know, it's something that we probably didn't need," Brown said of Smart’s comments. "But we all communicate and talk to each other, so we're all trying to find ways to win. And I'm open to any and everything when guys bring it to me, coaching staff. So I'm always watching film, trying to better myself and be a better basketball player and find ways to make my teammates better."

Here’s the problem with Brown’s take on Smart’s comments.

They absolutely, positively needed to be said by someone.

Smart is right.

Unless Tatum and Brown take their games to another level, this team is not going to get any better.

Could he have done it in private?

Sure.

But would it have had the same impact?

I don’t think so.

Because as long as it stayed in-house, there was never going to be any real pressure to change. As much as these players want us to believe that they’re only concerned with the thoughts of their teammates, family and friends, that’s just not true.

They care more about what’s on trial in the court of public opinion, than they will ever let on.

Which is why Smart’s words were so impactful and brought about immediate change in the attitude and approach taken by Tatum and Brown.

While their assist numbers by no means have skyrocketed, there’s a clear difference in how they are looking to involve teammates now more than ever.

And since Smart’s words, the Celtics have won back-to-back games including a road win blowout over Miami which at the time, had the best record in the NBA.

Smart is a blue-collar player whose game is truly an acquired taste; some will love it (like me).

Others?

Not so much.

So much attention was paid to Smart’s comments about them needing to pass the ball more, that the real message he was trying to send was diluted but important nonetheless.

"They're still learning," Smart said of Tatum and Brown. "And 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 on in the game where they don't have to always take those tough shots or take tough matchups when they do get the one-on-one.”

Smart’s comments led to follow-up conversations with Tatum and Brown, which led to a reported team meeting which brings us to where they are today which is one victory away from being .500 for the first time this season.

Of course, their improved play has been led by Tatum and Brown (or should we say ‘Brown and Tatum?’ That’s a conversation for another day). Key contributors off the bench include Dennis Schröder and most recently, Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford.

But the strides we’ve seen the last two games, would not have come about if not for Smart shining an undeniable spotlight on the Jays whose play will be pivotal in Boston’s efforts to dig itself out of this early season slump.

And that is leadership; the kind that’s uncomfortable but necessary at times.