After inspiring optimism with a two-game win streak heading into their homestand, the Boston Celtics stumbled Monday night vs. the New Orleans Pelicans.
That's been a theme for the 2020-21 Celtics season. Their inconsistency has been an issue since Opening Night, and it has them one game under .500 (23-24) and seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
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SIGN UP HERE As the C's aim to start a new winning streak, is there any hope that they'll be able to find consistency and make a deep playoff run? On a brand new Celtics Talk Podcast, Amina Smith joins Chris Forsberg to discuss Boston's continued struggles and what it will take to find that consistency going forward.
Celtics Talk Podcast: Will the Celtics ever find consistency this season? | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube
"The one thing it reminded me of watching them last week was what my coach -- I ran track -- my coach used to say 'you're just going through the motions.' And that's exactly what this team looks like," Smith said. "They have spurts of bright spots where you can see that there is talent, there is potential, they can go far. But for some reason, they just get in cruise control, and it's just like at this point in the season you can't do that. ...
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"As we get closer to the end of the season, you've got to find your identity. You've got to find consistency. That's something that this team really struggles with. So the first thing that came to my mind watching these games is they are really just going through the motions."
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So what are the keys to the Celtics turning it around and finding that consistency they've been lacking?
"I think number one, obviously, is staying healthy is going to be very important." Smith said. "When you take a look at any season, any team, staying healthy is always the number one goal because the best ability is availability. Health is going to be number one, but also when you have players that come back, then it's just chemistry.
"How are we fitting into this lineup? How are we fitting into this rotation? How are we fitting in on the court? Those things are just as important as anything else that you train and do to prepare for a game or prepare for a season."
Also in the new episode: A rough start for Evan Fournier in his Celtics debut, Marcus Smart’s unnecessary half-court shot, and should the Celtics be aggressive on the buyout market?
Check out the latest episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast on your favorite podcast app or watch it on YouTube below.