The Boston Celtics have stripped their roster of veterans Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green as they try to rebuild, but doing so has left this young team with a lack of leadership.
Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Avery Bradley have admitted that the Celtics are still learning how to win, and head coach Brad Stevens addressed the matter following their loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.
“I’ve had those discussions with them about needing to continue to challenge themselves to be better than they are. Just because we know they’re a big part of us moving forward. Same thing with a guy like Marcus Smart, same thing with a guy like James [Young]. For us to be competitive, we need all those guys to play above their age. What we’ve really tried to emphasize is what all can we do in a small way to add to greater cause, rather than putting that on one person. A lot of these guys are going through things for the first time or haven’t gone through it very much. They’re going to have to lean on guys who have, and they’re going to have to grow up sooner than other guys might have to that aren’t here. They’ve got to look at it as a great opportunity and great benefit for them.”
Boston's next game is at 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday against the Clippers in Los Angeles, the first contest in a six-game West Coast road trip.
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