Tatum addresses Smart's recent criticism: 'I know how to play basketball'
Jayson Tatum finally addressed Marcus Smart's recent criticism after the Boston Celtics' 107-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Saturday.
"We talked about it, and we had a team meeting, I guess. I know how to play basketball. I've been doing it a long time, and I'm pretty successful at it," Tatum told reporters postgame, according to The Athletic's Jared Weiss.
"I'm not perfect. I've got things I can work on," Tatum added. "I think that's the good part about it. As young as I am, as good as people think I am, I've got a lot to improve on, and I'll be the first one to say that."
Smart said Tatum and co-star Jaylen Brown were unwilling passers after the Celtics squandered a huge lead against the Chicago Bulls last Monday. The duo's fourth-quarter struggles contributed to the club's collapse.
The squad reportedly held a players-only meeting the following day, but the conversation apparently wasn't entirely productive or beneficial.