Who is our team leader?

[Roy H.]

I think most people would say Smart.  Some might suggest Tatum, or even Horford.  And, all of those answers might be right.  But, should it be JB?

Jay King @ByJayKing
about 15 minutes ago
The Celtics wanted to impose their will. They wanted to make a statement. They followed Jaylen Brown. “He had that look in his eyes. We know JB. He gets in that zone where he don’t talk to nobody. He’s just locked in. And that’s what you need.”

Souichi Terada @SouichiTerada
yesterday
Jaylen Brown: "Defense is all about pride. Defense is all about effort. We gotta do a better job no matter who's out there." Said their defense hasn't been up to par in the playoffs at times. "Going forward, we gotta make sure we're embracing each and every challenge."

Jaylen is the guy who has the combination of skill, fire and aggressiveness to take the leadership role.  Yes, he's an eccentric guy, but I get the sense that he wants to stomp on the opposition moreso than others.  I think he's deferred a bit to others, but I think he needs to take over more from Tatum and others, particularly on nights when the team doesn't have a ton of energy. 

[Surferdad]

He gets in that zone where he don’t talk to nobody.

That disqualifies JB, in my opinion.

Smart is the longest tenure player on the roster. He does what we call "Smart things" and thus demonstrates leadership, and he does talk

[Roy H.]

He gets in that zone where he don’t talk to nobody.

That disqualifies JB, in my opinion.

Smart is the longest tenure player on the roster. He does what we call "Smart things" and thus demonstrates leadership, and he does talk

Smart also does "not Smart things" a lot, too, and he's definitely guilty of dogging it.  Getting consistent buy in from Smart was probably Ime's biggest achievement last year. 

But, the need to be vocal is probably important.  JB is more of a leader by example, although he's capable of speaking up.  That should be fostered, because he has it in him.

[Goldstar88]

I don’t think JB is a leader on the team. I do see him as a player than can be leaned on offensively when JT is off his game. This was certainly the case last night. I’d say the team leader(s) would be Horford, Smart, and Brogdon. If there was a team captain, I would give that title to Horford.

[boscel33]

Smart?  Aw hell no!

JB can easily be the team leader; he has leadership in his blood.  He remains calm, isn't Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ing to the refs to whole time on non-calls, yeah, he's the guy!

[nebist]

I'd say it's a mix of Smart, Tatum, and Brown.

Smart is the "vocal and emotional" leader.

Brown is the "get on my back I'm going to raise our energy and physicality for a stretch or a game" leader.

Tatum is the "steady, quiet, lead by example, be the best player but not be too much of a diva to defend, pass, or play within the team concept" leader.

Would it be a little easier if Tatum had a little more of that MJ/Kobe/Bird killer instinct leadership mentality? Yes, probably. But, as is, I think we lead by committee a bit more, and Tatum can still function as a leader just a bit more in the Duncan/Curry mold.

[Smartacus]

I'd say it's a mix of Smart, Tatum, and Brown.

Smart is the "vocal and emotional" leader.

Brown is the "get on my back I'm going to raise our energy and physicality for a stretch or a game" leader.

Tatum is the "steady, quiet, lead by example, be the best player but not be too much of a diva to defend, pass, or play within the team concept" leader.

Would it be a little easier if Tatum had a little more of that MJ/Kobe/Bird killer instinct leadership mentality? Yes, probably. But, as is, I think we lead by committee a bit more, and Tatum can still function as a leader just a bit more in the Duncan/Curry mold.

Think this is pretty spot on. TP.

[boscel33]

Al's comments on JB after the game:

“He took the challenge. He really led us…He just set the tone. It’s honestly as good a game as I’ve ever seen him play. He was so locked in. He was so poised on the defensive end with his presence and then on offense just being solid and continuing to make plays. He was the difference-maker for us,” Al Horford said on Jaylen Brown’s stellar Game 2 performance.

[Vermont Green]

I think this notion that a team needs a singular leader is overblown.  I don't think there is anyone on the team that doubts that Tatum is the best player.  They will look to him to provide leadership in certain ways, and he can provide that.

In my mind, Smart is far more important than people give him credit for.  He provides a level of leadership that is important.  Not being the best player, there is a limit as to what he can do by himself, and I think he gets that, but I see him helping Tatum be a leader.

And it is not limited to just these two, Horford provides leadership, Brown does too.  I even think Brogdon adds something to the mix.

The key in my mind is that I see all these secondary leaders accepting that Tatum is the overall leader.  They accept that but fill in where needed.  The Curry and Duncan comparisons from above are apt.  There is not a competition for who is the leader, more of a collective effort.  It would only be an issue if there was a competition.

I recall there was this "who is the leader" narrative coming up back in the Pierce Antoine Walker early days.  Walker defused this by coming out and saying, Pierce is the leader.  No competition, no problem.  That is what I see now.  No one is competing with Tatum for the leader role.  They are all just helping.

[Goldstar88]

Al's comments on JB after the game:

“He took the challenge. He really led us…He just set the tone. It’s honestly as good a game as I’ve ever seen him play. He was so locked in. He was so poised on the defensive end with his presence and then on offense just being solid and continuing to make plays. He was the difference-maker for us,” Al Horford said on Jaylen Brown’s stellar Game 2 performance.

That’s all true, but does that make him a leader of the team? I think of a team leader as someone who rallies the troops. Is huddling guys up on the court and vocal with teammates during timeouts. Someone the other players lean on for advice. I don’t see that with JB, or JT for that matter.

[Csfan1984]

Should be JB

[keevsnick]

Does it have to be one guy?

I think a lot of guys lead in different ways. Jaylen often sets the tone of the game, Smart is vocal, Al is poised, Tatum plays both ways.

The team made it to the NBA finals last year, I'm not really sure if leadership is something that needs questioning.

[SHAQATTACK]

Joe

By default

Nobody wants the job.

Who’ll gather the troops during the game

Lots of good followers / cheerleaders and no real out front and center vocal leaders …..nobody wants to lead the charge  across the battlefield for Boston Celtics .

It’s a wait and see crowd I suppose 

So we re left with the.     “ Joe Show “

[liam]

I would say it's me. 

[SHAQATTACK]

I would say it's me. 

You ….certainly set the high mark for team leaders  . 

None shall pass 

I salute you