The Boston Celtics came up short on the second night of their LA road trip.
After needing overtime to beat a short-handed LA Clippers, with some heroics from Jaden Springer, playing the LA Lakers the following night was a game too far for the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers won the game 117-96, on a night both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown failed to reach 20 points scoring.
Last year’s Finals MVP Jaylen Brown scored just 17 points, with a 36.8 per cent field goal percentage.
Jaylen Brown has already proven he is capable of greatness. And many have suggested the Celtics are both bored and tired, at the January point of their title defense, and will raise their game in the playoffs.
Celtics fan Bill Simmons is more worried, and fears there are deeper issues with Brown.
Simmons is worried Brown’s physique has changed to the point he is too muscular and fears it is impacting his game.
He said: “Jaylen Brown isn’t shooting as well as he did last year.
“He looks like he’s filming Rambo First Blood part two or Predator like Stallone in the 80s. He’s like really jacked to the point that I’m starting to wonder if it’s made him a little more stiff.”
Simmons also noted how Brown is too easily blown past by opponents on defense.
He also believes Brown’s game has changed offensively, and picked out what he does not like about it.
Simmons explained: “Jaylen’s offense has been really rough to watch. I could give you a million stats, you can go look ’em up. But his two point shooting’s way down his three point shooting’s way down and he’s added a couple things to his game that I just don’t love.
“There’s like this flatfooted fall away he has now at the foul line. I can’t stand that one.”
The Boston Celtics are still the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 31-14 record. But over the last 10 games they are 5-5.
The Knicks are just two wins behind them, so Boston will have to raise their game, with another road game against the Dallas Mavericks up next, a re-match of last season’s NBA Finals.
They round off the month with home games against the Rockets and Bulls, and while you once could back the Celtics to win both games, it’s just as likely now they will split them.
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