The place had been you on September twenty second, 2022? The Celtics had suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the season and introduced that assistant Joe Mazzulla would take over the reins. For some time, there was countless criticism of Mazzulla. The Celtics took too many threes. He regarded unprepared towards the Warmth in 2023. He was an odd chicken.
Now his eclectic model is widely known. The loss to the Warmth was a studying second and he’s now seen as a basketball genius.
Let’s begin with a number of the criticism. After a tricky 102-100 loss to the Nuggets inJanuary, ESPN’s and former Celtic Kendrick Perkins stated this about Mazzulla:
“You surprise, when you take his mind out and you place it in a chicken, the chicken is gonna begin flying backwards,” – Kendrick Perkins on Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
“You realize why I say that?”
Unsure we do, Perk. pic.twitter.com/BLuvdUYRjK
— Terrible Asserting (@awfulannouncing) January 20, 2024
A weird factor to say as a result of, at the very least to me, a chicken flying backwards can be very spectacular.
In February, Perkins later harped on the Celtics taking too many threes:
Perk: The Celtics do not put up up sufficient. They don’t have anything to depend on if the 3s do not go in.
Celtics within the put up this season:‣ Publish up frequency – 7.3% – 2nd within the league ‣ Publish up effectivity – 1.17ppp – 1st within the league pic.twitter.com/Ado7a1PSre
— Jake Issenberg (@jakeissenberg) February 13, 2024
Which, as Jake identified, was improper. The Celtics had been the most effective put up up staff within the NBA a season in the past.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith additionally bought within the combine in Might.
After the Celtics’ Recreation 1 win towards the Indiana Pacers, he had this to say Mazzulla and the person he changed:
“if ime udoka was nonetheless the coach of the boston celtics they might’ve been champions by now. they probably would have received it final yr” https://t.co/ZnPpqI21CC
— banner 18 jack (@janderson22_) Might 22, 2024
By the best way, his level on the Celtics offense was tremendous improper, too:
additionally they scored 133 factors, shot 48% and bought to the road 30 instances. their offense was the rationale they received the sport. they had been additionally solely 31% from 3 on 15 makes, so throw your silly they depend on threes an excessive amount of out the window as effectively.
— banner 18 jack (@janderson22_) Might 22, 2024
It felt like each time the Celtics misplaced, followers had been calling for the coach to be fired and Udoka to be introduced again.
I might fireplace Mazzulla and BEG Ime to return again.
— Gio’s Gaming Nook (@GioCorner) Might 22, 2023
Largest mistake this staff made is giving Ime up. They’re such a undisciplined staff. Hearth Mazzulla tonight!
— Simon Bernstein (@sbern360) Might 30, 2023
Below Ime this staff was robust and battle examined. Below Joe this staff is as delicate as they arrive. When adversity hits they buckle like clowns. Hearth Mazzulla.
— kevinbakinz (@kevinbakinz) Might 11, 2024
But, now that Mazzulla is a champion, folks can’t appear to get sufficient of him.
Joe Mazzulla being completely locked in on the US Open is the sicko habits I completely love about him
— Doot Fixer Szabo (@the_szabo) September 1, 2024
Individuals say that Joe Mazzulla is a “sicko,” as now Lakers head coach and ESPN’s JJ Redick as soon as put it:
Derrick White agreed:
“He is a sicko, so in all probability.”
Derrick White on whether or not or not Joe Mazzulla loved the prospect to rally again after a blown lead pic.twitter.com/7yBEcRdvDT
— Celtics on NBC Sports activities Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 13, 2024
Mazzulla has by no means modified; he all the time believed within the analytics, as he informed the NBATV crew after the Celtics championship-clinching win.
“Dominate the margins. Dominate the possessions.”
Individuals usually criticized Mazzulla for a way he coached the staff, saying he was unprepared and the way his staff took too many threes. But, Mazzulla caught to what he believed and it paid off in a championship. Now, everybody goes to must acknowledge the genius of Mazzulla ball.
For what it’s value, I extremely advocate Considering Basketball’s video for extra in-depth evaluation on Mazzulla ball and the way the Celtics received the Finals.
