Joe Mazzulla’s first season as head coach of the Boston Celtics came to an end on Monday as they fell to the Miami Heat in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics were able to erase a 3-0 deficit but could not close out the series.
In a press conference today, President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens, was asked about Joe Mazzulla’s future with the team and if he is the best option going forward.
“Yeah, I think he is,” said Stevens. “I thought he did a really good job with this group. Everybody is gonna overreact to the best players and coaches after every game, that’s just the way it is.”
Mazzulla has been with the Celtics since 2019 as an assistant coach and was then given the role of interim head coach at the beginning of the season following the suspension of then head coach Ime Udoka. On February 16 he was given the role of permanent head coach and was signed to a 4 year contract extension.
“He’s a terrific leader. He will only get better at anything that he can learn from this year because he is constantly trying to learn and he’s accountable.”
Mazzulla finished the season with the second-most-wins ever by a Celtics rookie head coach and had the team just one win away from a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
“Our players, our staff, everybody around him believes in him. We have to do our best to support him going forward.”
Mazzulla was a finalist for NBA Coach of the Year, however the award was won by Mike Brown of the Sacramento Kings. Mazzulla was also tabbed as head coach for Team Giannis in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
