It has only been a few months since the Kyrie Irving-led Boston Celtics were disbanded, but one of their former veteran leaders thinks the energy in the locker room seems to be much better. New York Knicks forward Marcus Morris, who was as vocal as any member of the Celtics last season, has quickly noticed how his former team is now jelling better.

Asked what needed to change, Morris had to pause for his response:

“We all know. I don’t really want to speak on that,” Morris told Jay King of The Athletic. “I mean, we all know. (Kyrie) is my guy, but they needed a fresh start. Everybody needed a fresh start. And they got it, man. The energy seems – being around them, just playing them that one game (Saturday), the energy seems to be a lot better.”

The Celtics replaced Irving with Kemba Walker, who got to connect with three of his teammates — Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum — during Team USA's venture into the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Their six weeks together helped them get acquainted and the results of their chemistry, combined with Walker's charisma, are noticeable.

The 2018-19 Celtics had a roller-coaster season, facing plenty of head-scratching losing skids and consequent reactions from Irving's constant mood swings, which affected the locker room.

Morris couldn't help but admit these issues:

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“We had a lot going on (last season),” Morris said. “I tune in, I can see how Kemba’s leading those guys. I think that was a great move for the younger guys, somebody like Kemba to come in and continue to push him and continue to lead him in the right direction. I think it’s big things for them.”
Morris believes Walker will lift up the younger guys just by being himself.

“I’ve known Kemba for a while and I know his personality, his intensity, his aggressiveness. Everything, man. You know he’s a competitor. He’s got that small man’s syndrome. But he’s a good dude. From knowing (Tatum) and knowing Kemba, I know that’s a good match. And all those other guys, and (Marcus Smart). He’s one of those guys that is going to keep his team into it. You’re never going to get that feedback, negative feedback from him.”

It seems that point guard change has been the secret ingredient to change it all for Boston, now 3-1 on the season ahead of a clash with Morris' Knicks on Friday.