Two games in and a few preseason games, I'm not surprised they don't have an identity yet. But it does start to form in these opening ten or fifteen games. And you're right, the team tends to take on the characteristics of its best player. We really need Tatum (and Brown) to set the tone for what they expect from their teammates. After that effort they should be the first ones hitting practice tomorrow and should be letting their teammates know that the collective effort wasn't acceptable.
I'm not surprised that they are stumbling through things. New team, new coach, they're not going to be that polished yet. I am surprised that the intensity wasn't there in the 2nd half given they should all be trying to impress their new coach. This flaw they have in their heads, where they lose heart when they start missing shots and when ref calls don't go their way, which they affects their defense and their demeanor on the court, that's something Ime has to excise out of them right away. The on court fluency and chemistry should come, but they have to fix the attitude issue right away.
all very fair points. what concerns me is what’s found in the following quote: “ the team tends to take on the characteristics of its best player. We really need Tatum (and Brown) to set the tone for what they expect from their teammates.”
i believe the team HAS taken on the character of its best player; the problem is JT doesn’t seem to possess the indomitable will to win. he seems content to be spoken of in circles he hasn’t actually attained, and he’s believing the hype that’s surrounded him since he entered the league. his hero kobe just wanted to win and could be an
Edited. Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. when the team needed to be pushed. JT just doesn’t have that “mamba mentality”. i hate the lakers but respect the hell out of kobe, his leadership, and his will to win. JT? meh.
i also don’t think JT and JB know how to set the tone for what they expect from their teammates. in their four-plus years together, we haven’t witnessed much real leadership from them. embarrassing losses punctuated by remorseless poor effort, followed by all the right words from JT and JB, but nothing ever really changed.
this team needs a major shakeup, not a few tweaks or one final puzzle piece, if the C’s want to contend.