Lack of Reaction From Teammates to Smart Getting Tossed is Disappointing

[KingofDaPlayazBall]

Things definitely would not have played out this way if KG, Pierce, Perkins, Rasheed, or even Rondo was still on the team.  Surprisingly out of the players on the court, only the new additions Jae Crowder and Jameer Nelson rushed to Smart's aid while Bass passively approached and the weak and frail Olynlyk stayed the furthest away from the scuffle.

The team going forward needs more people to embrace the enforcer role.  Even though Smart could hold his own, it builds comradery to see teammates having each others back.  The reason why no other team messed with the Cs during KG and Pierce Era was because they were able to get teammates to see each others as brothers that are going to war together.

Having player be enforcers of each other not only builds comradery but also gives every player the confidence to play with more physicality knowing your teammates will have your back.  It also means that opposing teams won't be able to use tactics to intimidate the soft player(olynyk).  As a young team, building our identity should start from here with toughness and physicality.  The NBA is currently in an era of the superstars, with the team currently without one and unlikely getting a top 10 player in the future, we should adapt to the strategies of the 08 celtics or the Bad Boy Pistons.

Edit:
Perhaps the main reason I'm disappointed is the seemingly lack of interest for a teammate.  I felt like the team is Lacking in the Ubuntu concept from the Last era.  I miss the cheering for teammates and the value of a unit working together from the Doc Rivers Era.  Teammates were feeding energy off of each other, and the whole team gets excited about hustle plays and teamwork.  I was disappoint because I didn't see the excitement for Smart when he boxed out and challenged  Demarcus(the Grizzly bear) Cousins and provoked a reaction.  If this team was like the last they would of jumped on Cousins simply out of excitement for Smart.  What better way to promote Ubuntu than protecting your teammate after he made a hustle/ tough play.

[rondohondo]

I was just watching it and thinking the same thing . KO and Bass just stood there watching . Crowder was the only one who ran over to break it up . He gets points for that . I wish KO had a mean streak in him, would make him a much better player .

[Ogaju]

I mentioned this in a thread I started before.

The untold story of what Ainge is doing is no one really knows where they stand with this team so no one is running through a wall for the Cs when they could be shipped out at a moment's notice.

Why should KO or Bass go out and put their necks on the line, when they do no know where they stand with this team. Why should BASS especially given the way he has been treated recently.

[Eddie20]

Agree 100%. This team has no enforcer and is just a soft bunch as a whole. I thought the person that really needed to respond, given the lineup we had on the court at that time, was Bass. However, he sort of just stood there confused. Olynyk too, but he's only in his second year so I forgive him a little more than Bass. I also didn't like the reaction from the bench. Not saying they needed to rush the court, but they all, with the exception of Turner, just sat there like they were watching a broadway play. At least stand up and show some emotion and pretend you care for your teammate.

[KingofDaPlayazBall]

I mentioned this in a thread I started before.

The untold story of what Ainge is doing is no one really knows where they stand with this team so no one is running through a wall for the Cs when they could be shipped out at a moment's notice.

Why should KO or Bass go out and put their necks on the line, when they do no know where they stand with this team. Why should BASS especially given the way he has been treated recently.

I agree with you, but what I'm saying is they should not do this for the management or for Danny Ainge/Brad Stevens.  They should do it for each other as teammates, and as a group of people working for the same goal, especially the young players who are developing together they should do it for themselves.  If players really embrace to role of the enforcer, it don't mater what their situation on the team is, they will still do what they know to do.  If a shooter is in a uncertain situation with a team, he will continue to shoot as long as he is on the court, just like enforcers will continue to do their thing as long as the rift is not between teammates.

[Chief Macho]

KO is a huge Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.. 

[Tr1boy]

The situation already was in control. What do you want KO to do? last thing you need is another technical foul

KO is not an enforcer but he is also not "soft".  We all seen him battle vs Garnett , argue back, stare him down.

[Ogaju]

But we do not have an enforcer. We really never did. The Lakers last two championship teams went out and recruited Artest for that role. Once we lost Powe and Posey we did not have an enforcer for that team. Part of the reason why we did not win number 18. Your superstars are  NOT meant to be your enforcers.

I remember a game when Humph was in Brooklyn and Rondo had to take him on. Your 6'1 PG superstar IS NOT supposed to be your enforcer.

This team as always been weak since we lost Posey.

[moiso]

The situation already was in control. What do you want KO to do? last thing you need is another technical foul

KO is not an enforcer but he is also not "soft".  We all seen him battle vs Garnett , argue back, stare him down.

Olynyk is as soft as they come in the NBA.  But I agree that the situation was under control and there was nothing to be done.  If there was an actual fight it would be a different story.  Two guys looking at each other doesn't require any more than what Crowder did.

[rondohondo]

Yea we need someone with heart who will stick up for his brothers, kind of like this guy.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5SU-JNlF80

That one is for you Eddie

[KingofDaPlayazBall]

But we do not have an enforcer. We really never did. The Lakers last two championship teams went out and recruited Artest for that role. Once we lost Powe and Posey we did not have an enforcer for that team. Part of the reason why we did not win number 18. Your superstars are  NOT meant to be your enforcers.

I remember a game when Humph was in Brooklyn and Rondo had to take him on. Your 6'1 PG superstar IS NOT supposed to be your enforcer.

This team as always been weak since we lost Posey.

If you really believe Powe and Posey where our only enforcers during that period, I seriously doubt you where following the team.  The truth is during that era, our super stars Pierce and KG, and even rondo were enforcers and it worked, so don't tell me star players are not suppose to be enforcers, bad boy pistons were a prime example.  Even with our current team, their are players capable of being enforcers if they put their minds into it: Smart, Sullinger, Bass, Jae Crowder, Gerald Wallace. 

And do you really not see a difference between Hump-Rondo fight and the Smart-Cuz fight? Well 1st of all, all of our players were in the mix of the scuffle but where were they yesterday?

[Jonny CC]

I mentioned this in a thread I started before.

The untold story of what Ainge is doing is no one really knows where they stand with this team so no one is running through a wall for the Cs when they could be shipped out at a moment's notice.

Why should KO or Bass go out and put their necks on the line, when they do no know where they stand with this team. Why should BASS especially given the way he has been treated recently.

That is a garbage excuse.  Trade possibilities, contracts, etc, should have NOTHING to do with whether or not a player should DEFEND A TEAMMATE. 

[KingofDaPlayazBall]

The situation already was in control. What do you want KO to do? last thing you need is another technical foul

KO is not an enforcer but he is also not "soft".  We all seen him battle vs Garnett , argue back, stare him down.

Olynyk is as soft as they come in the NBA.  But I agree that the situation was under control and there was nothing to be done.  If there was an actual fight it would be a different story.  Two guys looking at each other doesn't require any more than what Crowder did.

Its not about whether the situation requires it, its more about building comradery and letting your teammates know you got their backs and letting the opponents know you can't mess with any of us.

[P stoff]

Funny how we label Cousins an ****, then want other guys to step in and play macho when the play is over. Sure, lets thug it up and puff our chests for no other reason than to a make a "statement".  Smart got up and made his point. No one is going to keep doing that because we are soft...thats just ridiculous.

Playing tough is bumping people off screens, boxing out hard, taking charges and battling for loose balls and 50-50 balls.

The rest is the  fake toughness, stares, chest thumping, trash talking bullEdited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. that looks like you are making up for a lack of ACTUAL toughness.

[greg683x]

But we do not have an enforcer. We really never did. The Lakers last two championship teams went out and recruited Artest for that role. Once we lost Powe and Posey we did not have an enforcer for that team. Part of the reason why we did not win number 18. Your superstars are  NOT meant to be your enforcers.

I remember a game when Humph was in Brooklyn and Rondo had to take him on. Your 6'1 PG superstar IS NOT supposed to be your enforcer.

This team as always been weak since we lost Posey.

If you really believe Powe and Posey where our only enforcers during that period, I seriously doubt you where following the team.  The truth is during that era, our super stars Pierce and KG, and even rondo were enforcers and it worked, so don't tell me star players are not suppose to be enforcers, bad boy pistons were a prime example.  Even with our current team, their are players capable of being enforcers if they put their minds into it: Smart, Sullinger, Bass, Jae Crowder, Gerald Wallace. 

And do you really not see a difference between Hump-Rondo fight and the Smart-Cuz fight? Well 1st of all, all of our players were in the mix of the scuffle but where were they yesterday?

actually I would argue that Perkins was the enforcer of our big three team, not Pierce or KG or any of the stars.

It's not crazy to think Posey was to a smaller degree an enforcer was well.  He committed plenty of hard fouls in his time with the celtics and other teams hes played for to set the tone for games.