” I am the worst coach. ” So had spoken Joe Mazzulla when leaving an online press conference earlier in the week. What was the Celtics technician referring to when he said this? Self-mockery in the face of journalists who would criticize his choices against the 76ers for example?
Actually not at all. ” I apologize. We had just come back from a video session and I missed the chance to congratulate one of our players. The time spent with the guys is sacred during the video session. I had just heard that (Marcus) Smart had won the ‘Hustle Award’, and we spent the whole session without my congratulating him. I think someone asked me the question, and my eyes lit up and I said, ‘What an idiot’ », reports the coach.
After 2019 and 2022, his leader had just won a new trophy for the “most combative” player in the league. Realizing his omission at the time, Joe Mazzulla then hastened to send a text message to his player.
” It is important. In some situations it’s about the team, our guys have that in mind. But I really like to show my respect when guys get individual awards. I especially love this award because of the sacrifices and hard work they put in. Going from there, I think I have to be better “, thus blames the coach. We imagine that his player will not hold him so harshly.
” Coming to this league, I was proud of (that fighter mindset) and nine years later, at the age of 29, I still do. I always do it very well, so it’s an important trophy. I know it doesn’t show on the stat sheet, it’s not as recognized as scoring 30 points. But every team needs a guy like me who’s gonna do the dirty work so Jayson (Tatum) and Jaylen (Brown) can go out there and do what they do best “, reacted the former defender of the year.
| Marcus Smart | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2014-15 | BOS | 67 | 27 | 36.7 | 33.5 | 64.6 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 7.8 |
| 2015-16 | BOS | 61 | 27 | 34.8 | 25.3 | 77.7 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 9.2 |
| 2016-17 | BOS | 79 | 30 | 35.9 | 28.3 | 81.2 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 10.6 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 54 | 30 | 36.7 | 30.1 | 72.9 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 10.2 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 80 | 28 | 42.2 | 36.4 | 80.6 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 8.9 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 60 | 32 | 37.5 | 34.7 | 83.6 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.9 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 12.9 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 48 | 33 | 39.8 | 33.0 | 79.0 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 13.1 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 71 | 32 | 41.8 | 33.1 | 79.3 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 5.9 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 12.1 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 61 | 32 | 41.5 | 33.6 | 74.6 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 11.5 |
| Total | 581 | 30 | 38.6 | 32.3 | 77.7 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 10.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
