Younger, Joe Mazzulla grew up with a plaque, displayed on one of his walls, of the 20 greatest players in Celtics history. Every day I go to the gym, I still pinch myself, with a little gratitude, and wonder how I got here. “, the Celtics coach can't believe it.
Yesterday, the 36-year-old technician was back where it all began, in his native Rhode Island. He, the star player at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, presented himself to the crowd with the NBA championship trophy.
“ Getting back to the foundations of my identity and my origins is one of the greatest gifts I have received. So thank you all “, let go of the coach who left Rhode Island at the age of 17 to help West Virginia University qualify for the NCAA tournament.
The governor present
Since moving to neighboring Massachusetts four years ago, he has enjoyed reconnecting with the people who shaped his youth.
” We are beginning to realize, on the one hand, what a pain in the ass I was as a child. (laughs)! And, on the other hand, the number of people who have made it possible for me to get to where I am today. », Thanks Joe Mazzulla, accompanied by the co-owner of the Celtics, Steve Pagliuca.
While the latter displayed his great pride in his coach, the governor of the local state, Daniel J. McKee, drew a parallel between his own political rise and the succession ensured by the former assistant at the time of Ime Udoka's suspension. When it comes to developing teams and creating synergy that works, I don't know anyone who does it better than Joe “, thus formulated the leader.