That said, it's easy to look back at these threads in hindsight and feel stupid, but back then the team certainly deserved the criticism that was coming its way. It's a credit to them that they have been able to change things around during the season. Some teams take years to change habits. And they had some bad habits to change - the Jays taking turns to go iso, Smartacus's ill advised 3s, the lack of movement on offense, the poor communication on defense, the dropping of heads when leads were overhauled by opposing teams.
Agreed. The team played at a really mediocre level all of last year, and for about the first half this year. Frustrated fans -- and I was definitely one of them -- had the right to be concerned that the team wasn't playing up to its talent.
It wasn't just a slump, although Tatum's poor shooting in particular contributed. It wasn't simply injuries, although they were a part, as well. It was becoming a culture. Even Marcus Smart was dogging it. The media was talking about how the Jays couldn't play together, guys were getting called out in the media by both the coach and teammates.
That was this season and last. It sucked. And then, about 30 games ago, it changed, and remarkably so. Ime got his players to buy in, and whatever clicked, clicked in a big way. But, I don't think that's an indication that there was nothing wrong in the first place, or that the team just needed time and/or health. They needed a big change in philosophy, which thankfully we saw.
TP. There absolutely was something wrong with the team and the culture sucked. It looked like a bunch of individual players not playing as a team. It's awesome how they have completely turned things around but I don't think the people who realized that there were serious problems with the team need to eat crow. The issues were very real and long lasting.
