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[Saba Sports News] LeBron James is weighing in with a pointed critique of one of his longtime rivals.
On the latest episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash, the Los Angeles Lakers star addressed the Boston Celtics following their early playoff exit. James questioned the team’s mental sharpness, suggesting that Boston’s core might be suffering from a case of complacency.
“You think they get bored sometimes?” James asked. “Like, they’ve been doing this s–t so long. It seems like they get bored sometimes — not necessarily with the process — because they are who they are.”
James went on to praise Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s experience and skill, noting, “They’ve punched their 10,000 hours. But sometimes, it seems like they get a little bored — because of how great they are, not just individually but as a team.”
While James’ remarks might raise eyebrows, they’re not exactly unfounded. The Celtics, last year’s NBA champions and owners of the league’s all-time best offensive rating (123.2), still looked oddly disengaged at times this season.
That was especially true in their second-round matchup against the New York Knicks, when they blew multiple 20-point leads at home before ultimately losing the series 4-2. Tatum’s Achilles injury didn’t help matters, but Boston’s lack of urgency seemed to appear even before that setback.
Now, with the team’s season over and serious questions swirling about their future, James’ comments about their seeming indifference may prove more accurate than critical. Some around the league believe a major shake-up could be looming in Boston.