One month ago, three years ago, or even a decade ago, Joe Mazzulla probably would never have thought he would be the head coach of the Boston Celtics on opening night of the NBA season.
When it was announced Mazzulla would be tabbed as the interim head coach for the Celtics for the duration of the 2022-2023 season, many people did not know his name. Now with the beginning of the NBA season having arrived, Mazzulla and the Celtics are going to try and repeat their success from last season.
Ime Udoka won 51 games and took the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first season as their head coach. In September with the NBA season a month away, it was announced the Celtics were suspending Udoka for violation of team policies which involved having a relationship with a female staff member.
Mazzulla, who had been on the Celtics staff since 2019 was announced as Udoka’s replacement. Mazzulla said in the past he has not been the right guy to be a head coach, saying there are things you learn when you have the job.
“You’re never really ready,” Mazzulla said of being a head coach. “I’ve been a head coach before and what I learned from year one to year two from that standpoint was I wasn’t ready. It’s not because I didn’t work at it, it’s not because I didn’t prepare, it’s because there’s certain things you have to learn on the job.”
Mazzulla said his coaching style will be taken from many of the coaches he has played and worked under.
“I’ve worked for a lot of great head coaches and played for great head coaches. I think it’s about taking a formula of what worked for those guys and how I can make these players better,” Mazzulla said.
Mazzulla’s basketball roots originate in West Virginia. Mazzulla played 145 games for West Virginia from 2006-2011, and then was the head coach at Fairmont State from 2017-2019.
On Tuesday night when the Celtics take the floor against the Philadelphia 76ers, Mazzulla said he will try to take the moment in, but ultimately he wants to go out and do what he is supposed to do — coach basketball.
“I definitely have moments of gratitude, you have moments of it’s special to be here. You have to take those moments in but at the same time you have to focus on the most important things,” Mazzulla said.
The Celtics will be honoring legendary Celtic Bill Russell who died this past summer. Mazzulla said before the game his focus will be on paying tribute to Russell and then when the clock starts it will be about moving forward as a team.
“At the beginning it’s how can we give back to Bill Russell and what he’s done for us and then as soon as the game starts it’s how can we execute,” Mazzulla said.
At 34, Mazzulla is tied with Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy as the youngest head coach in the NBA. On Tuesday night, none of that will matter. All that matters to Mazzulla is basketball and trying to win.
“You’ll have some small moments here and there but I think it’s more about what we’re trying to accomplish as a team and making it about our guys and how good they are and where they can go,” Mazzulla said.
