The Boston Celtics are attempting regroup this NBA season in an effort to climb up the ranks in the Eastern Conference. With the Marcus Smart squad falling in ninth place, the basketball team struggles to make it to the playoffs. Presumably following the lead of the Golden State Warriors, which currently dominates the Western Conference, the Boston Celtics have adjusted their plays and went for small ball.
With these changes, the Jared Sullinger squad aims to climb over the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. Even Dwyane Wade's Miami Heat and Kyle Korver's Atlanta Hawks are in the way of the Boston Celtics. Rounding up the teams that the Jae Crowder need to beat before reaching LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers at the top are Derrick Rose's Chicago Bulls and Kyle Lowry's Toronto Raptors.
While it may be too optimistic to state, the Boston Celtics might get a shot at easing out the Kyrie Irving squad. If Klay Thompson squad's small ball play provides the same effects for the Isaiah Thomas group, then the Cleveland Cavaliers might face a serious challenge in their division. However, not all members of the Boston Celtics roster are keen with the idea of changing their gameplays. The adjustments, albeit promising, cost the taller and bigger NBA stars in the team to get limited minutes. One of the players who received reduced playing time is David Lee.
"Coach [Brad Stevens] came to me and said we're going to try and go small at the 4, which means [more playing time for] Kelly [Olynyk] and Jonas [Jerebko]," revealed Lee via ESPN. He added, "That's why Sully has been out of the starting lineup. That was his theory on some changes he wanted to make after us losing a couple of games, so I told him while I disagree with it, I also told him he's the coach and can choose to do that."
Lee, who had been a two-time NBA All-Star, saw his playing time substantially reduced - with some games benching him all throughout. While the former New York Knicks star is unhappy with the arrangement, he insists that he is taking the time to adjust to the changes.
He said, "I can either choose to be pissed off, or I can choose to keep working hard, and I'm going to keep working hard. Even last year I didn't accept that, and last year was way different. It was more of an injury-based thing where I got injured to start the year and came back." Lee added, "This situation is a bit more frustrating, and by no means am I accepting of the situation, and that's the first thing that I told Brad. He's the coach, the one making the decisions. I also trust my teammates and want what's best for the team. So we're going to have to see how this plays out. The most important thing is making sure the Celtics get a W in the win column. We've been up and down as a team, so coach is trying to find some consistency."
Meanwhile, trade rumors have started hounding Lee and the Boston Celtics. While less aggressive than Markieff Morris in his admission of discontent, the power forward's words had nevertheless opened doors for possible trade talks. Lee himself admitted that he could not guarantee his future with the Boston Celtics, hinting that the changes substantially affected his outlook with the team.
"We'll see moving forward how permanent this is," shared Lee. He added, "Obviously, I'm very confident I can help a team win. I hope that's the Boston Celtics. So, no, I haven't spoken about that. I haven't really thought about that yet. Right now it's about continuing to be ready, and if that was talked about it would be between my agent, the Celtics and other teams."
