What is wrong with the Celtics?
The theories have been coming fast and furious throughout this season. And after the Celts' latest loss, a 106-96 loss to the Sixers Tuesday, the conversation only amped up.
This time, it was a debate that spilled over to the set of TNT, where former Celtic Shaquille O'Neal had an interesting take.
"You've got to have that alpha male," he said, "that go-to guy."
The comment came immediately after O'Neal's former teammate Dwyane Wade offered his analysis.
"What is the Boston Celtics' identity? It's not defensively. They're not great in transition. They're not exceptionally great in half-court when it comes to execution of the game even though they have an amazing coach and amazing players," Wade said. "You've got to have an identity as a team and what are you going to lean your head on when things get tough, when guys do miss games, when injuries do happen. And this team does not have one. They are talented, but they don't have that identity."
Playing without Evan Fournier and Tristan Thompson, the Celtics fell to 25-26 with the loss to Philadelphia. Brad Stevens' team is now in the Eastern Conference's eighth-seed.