Joe Mazzulla’s job was by no means in jeopardy, ESPN insider says

Celtics

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst studies that the Celtics are dedicated to constructing a Mazzulla-led group.

Joe Mazzulla (right) and Jaylen Brown (left) have an animated conversation on the sideline of a Celtics game.
Joe Mazzulla (proper) and Jaylen Brown (left) have an animated dialog on the sideline of a Celtics recreation. Jim Davis/Globe Workers

Joe Mazzulla is right here to remain, and there was by no means any doubt throughout the Celtics’ entrance workplace that he wouldn’t.

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Varied ugly video games and miserable losses—together with a catastrophe Recreation 7 in opposition to the Warmth in Could that value the Celtics a visit to the NBA Finals—have incited hypothesis that Mazzulla could also be on the recent seat. However ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Monday on his podcast, “The Hoop Collective,” that Mazzulla’s job has at all times been protected.

“Not solely was [Mazzulla] by no means in bother,” Windhorst stated, “Brad Stevens’s greatest strikes because the president of the staff has been to lean into extra of the best way Joe Mazzulla needs to play, which is high-volume three-point capturing and offense over protection.”

Stevens’s actions again up this declare. One the primary strikes they made this offseason was to amass stretch large Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a commerce that despatched away former defensive participant of the 12 months Marcus Sensible. Roughly per week later, they dipped into the free company pool and got here out with transition menace Oshae Brissett and a gifted cutter and passer in Dalano Banton.

The Celtics did add some protection to their lineup this summer time, resembling drafting perimeter pest Jordan Walsh. However their collective strikes present what sort of roster they’re constructing and the coach they belief to guide it.

“They’re completely headlong into the Mazzulla mindset…” stated Windhorst. “That is the best way Stevens and Mazzulla wish to play.”

Mazzulla grew to become the interim head coach in Sept. 2022, after the staff suspended Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season as a consequence of office misconduct. The Celtics quickly discovered themselves with the most effective file within the Japanese Convention, a title they held for months. 

Stevens eliminated the “interim” title in Feb. 2023 to take away any uncertainty as to who could be in cost for the foreseeable future.

“I feel [Mazzulla]’s completed an incredible job, proper from the get-go of…galvanizing a locker room round a mission,” Stevens stated on the time, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

Ever since, Mazulla has confirmed that he’s not simply Udoka’s short-term alternative, however a reliable NBA head coach. The Celtics imagine that with extra expertise, a convention finals look is barely the start for Mazzulla’s reign.

“He’s a terrific chief,” Stevens stated, per ESPN. “He’ll solely get higher at something that he can be taught from this 12 months, as a result of he’s always making an attempt to be taught.”