Wallace calls the team out for lack of effort

[hpantazo]

Go back to the game where PJ Carlisimo was the color analyst. He identified Wallace as a guy who gives maximum effort all the time - even in practice.  So him calling out teammates to me is telling. 

Agreed, big test for Stevens early. Biggest thing I think he has to fight is a lot of these guys know they're not here for the long haul.  That I think is going to be a big problem.

That's the key right there, some of these guys don't care about the good of the team, they care about the good of their stats and their next contract. It will be difficult for Stevens to manage this, but setting roles early on and enforcing them would help

[SHAQATTACK]

This could get very ugly in a couple years......Danny maybe lucky to survive

[hpantazo]

This could get very ugly in a couple years......Danny maybe lucky to survive

Nah, this is a normal part of the process, the team is supposed to lose this year, and there will be players who hate it like Wallace, but they will get showcased and shipped out

[Celtics18]

This could get very ugly in a couple years......Danny maybe lucky to survive

Nah, this is a normal part of the process, the team is supposed to lose this year, and there will be players who hate it like Wallace, but they will get showcased and shipped out

Yeah, really, goodness forbid we have any winners around here.   Not part of the plan. 

[timobusa]

He's right. He's a good veteran. Good leader, and a good example, he always goes hard when he plays, always give 100 percent effort and is a team player.

The other guys should follow his lead.

[Atzar]

I think Wallace is the one guy on the roster right now who could say this.  From just about anybody else, the words wouldn't carry any weight.  But he's made a career out of being an absolute max effort player, so coming from him it means something.

Glad he spoke up. 

[indeedproceed]

Lol...well, that didn't take long.

[guava_wrench]

I think Wallace is the one guy on the roster right now who could say this.  From just about anybody else, the words wouldn't carry any weight.  But he's made a career out of being an absolute max effort player, so coming from him it means something.

Glad he spoke up.

I agree about Wallace, but I think he is wrong about what was the team's problem. The team is just bad. Running like chickens with their heads cut off won't fix that.

'Effort' is often just a scapegoat used since teams don't want to get complacent by accepting that they aren't good. It makes them feel like there is something that they can control when the reality is, they are just getting overpowered by better teams. Perhaps there are a lot of lackadaisical players on the team, or perhaps it is just an easy cliche. Brooks on defense definitely can't make Wallace happy.

[guava_wrench]

Go back to the game where PJ Carlisimo was the color analyst. He identified Wallace as a guy who gives maximum effort all the time - even in practice.  So him calling out teammates to me is telling. 

Agreed, big test for Stevens early. Biggest thing I think he has to fight is a lot of these guys know they're not here for the long haul.  That I think is going to be a big problem.

That's the key right there, some of these guys don't care about the good of the team, they care about the good of their stats and their next contract. It will be difficult for Stevens to manage this, but setting roles early on and enforcing them would help

It is tough to know what guys are thinking. Most of the time, they are just trying to play the game. I doubt many are thinking contract while the clock is running. Most of them are just doing what comes naturally to them based on how they train and practice. When Brooks starts launching, he probably isn't thinking contract. He is probably thinking "I can hit anything and these guys can't stop me".

You would also think that contract would mean more effort, not less.

[Boris Badenov]

Lol...well, that didn't take long.

It'll be very interesting to see how Stevens handles this stuff...and whether the vets end up being his allies, or start to question his abilities.

IMO those sorts of morale questions could end up swinging our victory total by 5-10 games this year. We're not going to win on talent most nights, but we might win/lose a fair number of games on effort and chemistry. That is all about coaching.

[2short]

good for wallace!
I'd assume there has been enough talk at practice and in locker room at this point.  Its up to Stevens to adjust playing time now.  I am sure he wanted to get guys time to see what lineups would work and who deserved actually game time.  Now coach has to be ready to sit guys who chuck it (brooks, crawford) guys who aren't giving it their all (green, bass) or guys who are stinking.
problem with our current team is we might end up with 4 guys on the court!

[beklog]

he reminds me of Terry who talks a lot on the media... but atleast we can see the heart and GW's consistency in the court to play his best

[LooseCannon]

You shouldn't confuse the appearance of effort with actual effort and ability.  The Golden State Warriors shipped Robert Parish to the Celtics because they confused his stoic demeanor with a lack of effort.  Guys like Mikki Moore and Ryan Hollins can be whirlwinds of activity who are, at best, hustling mediocrities.

Jeff Green appears to be making similar comments.  I haven't been watching the games, but I would guess that the targets of Wallace's ire would be those players who are giving the least effort on defense.

[Coach]

Lol...well, that didn't take long.

It'll be very interesting to see how Stevens handles this stuff...and whether the vets end up being his allies, or start to question his abilities.

Agreed.  I hope he comes out and stands behind Wallace, and lets the team have it.  Not sure if he will, but it would be a move to solidify Wallace's leadership, which the team needs at this point.  Wallace has been the hardest worker, best player, and is a former all-star.  Who are these guys to question him?  I think it would be a disaster if Stevens doesn't back Wallace 100%.

[D.o.s.]

I'm glad that Crash is being the player he's always been. All effort, all the time.

That said, it's the preseason--the best time to get the selfishness/lack of effort out of your system.