Joe Mazzulla‘s ascension to head coach after Ime Udoka’s suspension led to disagreements between the coaching staff and several of the Celtics‘ stars over the team’s style of play, according to Jay King and Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Boston was coming off an NBA Finals run under Udoka built around a suffocating defense, and many players wanted to continue that philosophy. Mazzulla placed more emphasis on the offense and frequently relied on smaller lineups, using Derrick White as a starter even when Robert Williams was healthy.
Although Mazzulla generally had the support of his players, who recognized that he was in a difficult situation, one source tells the authors that the team “just lost focus” after the All-Star Game, going 7-6 in its first 13 games following the break. Some veterans wondered why Mazzulla went away from Grant Williams, whose playing time was cut in March. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown met with Mazzulla to implore him to put Grant Williams back in the rotation, sources tell King and Weiss.
Complaints about Mazzulla’s emphasis on offense continued into the playoffs, the authors add. Some players said they left timeouts unsure of the defensive coverages, and that Blake Griffin, Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and others would work things out at the last minute.
Even amid the chaos, players publicly remained supportive of Mazzulla after the Game 7 loss to Miami.
“I don’t think people give (Mazzulla) or us enough credit that, two days before (the) season starts, we find out we’re going to have a new coach,” Tatum said. “We didn’t have Rob the first 25, 30 games of the season, we never got a chance to have (Danilo Gallinari), and we got a new coach one day before media day. You know, that was an adjustment. We all figured it out. Obviously, we wanted to win the championship. Didn’t happen. But I think Joe did a great job. We won 50-some-odd games. We got to (Game 7 of the) conference finals. Obviously, everybody can be better, learn from this. But I think Joe did a great job this year.”
There’s more on the Celtics:
- Among the reasons Mazzulla is likely to return as head coach next season is his contract, which still has $14MM remaining in guaranteed money, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. Charania expects Mazzulla to be given the chance to build his coaching staff this summer.
- Brown didn’t talk much about his future after Game 7, but Tatum said it’s “extremely important” that he remains on the team, per Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston. There has been speculation that the Celtics may explore trade options after Brown qualified for a super-max contract by earning All-NBA honors. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on his Hoop Collective podcast that he would be “stunned” if Boston doesn’t reach a new agreement with Brown (hat tip to Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report).
- Either White, Smart or Malcolm Brogdon is likely to be moved this offseason to ease the financial crunch, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston, who believes Brogdon could be the top trade asset despite his large salary. That savings could be used to keep Grant Williams, a restricted free agent, Forsberg adds.
Brogden and Grant Williams should be the names to move. My ideal players to replace them and get the Celtics over the hump are Bruce Brown and Jerami Grant. Three coaches have brought them to ECF since Tatum and brown. Players win games. I would go as far to say there are two difference makers in the NBA as coaches Spo for the Heat and Pop for the spurs. Every other coach is just a glorified baby sitter. If in the next 3 years they don’t win it all fire Mazzulla until then lol at the roster not the staff.
Jerami Grant? This isn’t 2k bro lol
If it were 2k I’d bring in Jokic and Giannis. Grant is an underrated player who fits the Celtics style of play and is attainable.
Underrated by whom? Portland, who went out of their way to acquire him? Where are you fitting another wing into the Celtics roster? And what are you giving up? You really think Grant is an upgrade on Jaylen Brown?
A late 1st and 2 seconds for a player of Grants caliber is what he was traded to Portland for. I’d say that’s a steal. Who said anything about him over brown? You add him to Tatum and Brown. 3 6’7-6’9 players with similar skills but compliment each other. Rob Williams, J. Grant, Tatum, Brown, White or Smart is a talented offensive starting 5. And would be the best defense in the league. Smart/White and Horford off the bench. A trade centered around Brogden would make sense for both teams. Especially if Lilliard is gone.
They’re never going to win with Smart as the starting PG.
Bruce Brown would be a great get, but he is too important to Denver. No way they let him go unless they are certain they’ve got a significant upgrade lined up.
The salary cap makes the moves you are suggesting pretty much impossible. So yeah people are going to give you a hard time about it.
Players complaining about too much emphasis on offense? That’s new.
Credit? Adjustments? Wtf Tatum talking about.
Mozzarella was there last year. Other than Ime leaving and adding Brogdon, it was the same team. All they had to do was the same thing as they did last year.
The second Udoka leaves, the team reverts right back to the excuse making crybabies Stevens turned them into.
It takes talent to coach talent! Now that the coach is staying, don’t plan on. Any championships as long as this team stays stays quo! We had a chance for a dynasty and we are pissing it away!
Under no circumstances should the Celtics trade White or Brogdon. They are the type of players that make a team good. Look what Martin, Vincent and Hero have done for Miami. Bruce Brown would be great, but how is he an upgrade over White or Brogdon? Mazzulla should be gone. He is a product of his West Virginia college days where all they did is chuck up 3’s. Celtics need a coach that demands stars play as part of the team. Much of the post All Star play resembled the competition between Tatum and Brown at the All Star game with Smart thrown into the mix as wanting to take the last shot.
Agree! Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon are terrific. Both were super terrific this year for the Celtics. Both are excellent two-way players, with Brogdon being extra special on offense and White being extra special on defense. Both keep the ball moving so are excellent team players. Team play wins as I’m watching Miami in the Finals. Go Celtics!