Highly criticized during the 2023 playoffs, where his extensive player accountability had often left Celtics fans doubtful, Joe Mazzulla is taking his revenge during this campaign.
With a more extensive and experienced staff at his side, the barely 35-year-old technician is only one success away from the title. He is thus very close to becoming the youngest titled “head coach” (non-player) in history, the only younger titled coaches (Buddy Jeannette And Bill Russell) having been players/coaches.
A big fan of Pep Guardiola, from whom he received advice for these Finals, Joe Mazzulla also surprises his players with surprising references during video sessions.
“The closer you think you are to beating someone, the closer you are to being beaten”
“He has a unique approach to the game”, explained Sam Hauser recently. “He takes inspiration from football teams, orcas and how they find their food and prey, and he associates all of that with basketball. I think it's a unique way of doing it. It’s different, cool and interesting.”
And to keep his team on their toes in recent days, he has notably used clips from the UFC…
“The closer you think you are to beating someone, the closer you are to being beaten” he said ahead of Game 3. “I think it was at UFC 302, a guy got hit in the rounds, complained to the ref, got distracted and lost the next round. But (Alex) Pereira, he takes a hit in games, brushes off the referee and knocks out his opponent five seconds later. This is the approach you need to have to manage things. Because the closer you think you are to beating someone, the closer you are to getting your ass kicked. »
A habit that Joe Mazzulla no doubt picks up from his years as an assistant, when he dissected matches with one eye while watching three-hour films with the other, in particular “The Town”which he watched over and over again.
