From evaluating his gamers to the totally different Spider-Males from “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” to revealing that he avoids revolving doorways to keep away from changing into a “sitting duck,” Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is understood for his distinctive thought course of.
Mazzulla’s mindset relating to following up Boston’s 2024 NBA championship win is simply that — distinctive.
I particularly averted utilizing “relating to defending the title” as a result of Joe would most actually be dissatisfied in me.
“The phrase ‘defending a title’ is a really passive-aggressive time period,” he informed John Karalis on the Locked On Celtics podcast. “For those who have a look at the animal kingdom, a few of the strongest animals don’t defend; they’re essentially the most aggressive, and so they assault essentially the most.”
The Rhode Island native makes a terrific level. If the Celtics need to keep on prime and have sustained success, then they’re going to have to remain hungry. This thought course of from Joe shouldn’t be shocking. All through their championship run, he implored his gamers by no means to get too excessive or too low and to take the season one sport at a time.
All he’s asking is that they create that very same mantra together with them as they push for Banner 19.
“Whether or not you’ve gained or haven’t gained, your mindset can’t change,” he continued. “You need to perceive what goes into successful and shedding, decide to the main points each day, and stay aggressive. You’re not defending one thing; you’re attacking a brand new purpose.”
He’s completely proper. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the remainder of the Cs can be striving for a brand new purpose — successful back-to-back championships — one thing that hasn’t been completed by a Celtics crew since Invoice Russell was sporting the inexperienced and white.
Will the second title be more durable than the primary was? Virtually actually, sure.
In the beginning, they’ll be beginning the season down one among their key contributors with Kristaps Porzingis working his approach again from damage. Hopefully, he’ll be again by Christmas, however there hasn’t been any actual replace on his timeline since he underwent surgical procedure earlier this summer season.
For now, everybody else is wholesome, however who is aware of how a lot put on and tear the crew will face after enjoying by means of mid-June, particularly with Tatum, Derrick White, and Jrue Vacation all suiting up for Staff USA on the Olympics — to not point out that the crew’s core has performed deep into the playoffs for the previous three seasons.
There’s a sizeable contingent of the Celtics group that feels as if well being is the most important risk to a repeat run. Whereas that’s truthful, there are a number of groups that imagine they need to have a shot relating to that title.
Mazzulla’s mantra rings true right here for certain. The Celtics have a completely new problem in entrance of them this season with a few of the enhancements throughout the Jap Convention. They’re nonetheless the “kings” throughout the “animal kingdom,” however they’ve received to remind everybody this season.
Each the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers made main strikes this offseason to try to enhance their roster in hopes of competing with Boston. The Knicks introduced in Mikal Bridges, whereas Philly lured Paul George away from LA.
Past that, the Orlando Magic’s younger core can have one other yr beneath their belt, as will the Indiana Pacers. Plus, the Milwaukee Bucks could lastly have Giannis Antetokoumpo wholesome for a postseason run, after failing to get out of the primary spherical with out him for the previous two postseasons.
All of those groups are coming. It’s simply what occurs if you win: the remainder of the pack goes to try to sustain the most effective that they’ll.
“Folks’s going to say the goal’s on our again, however I hope it’s proper on our brow, in between our eyes. I hope I can see the pink dot,” Mazzulla informed Karalis final week.
Again, brow, it doesn’t matter. Joe Mazz goes to have his guys prepared for battle and needs the entire smoke. There could also be no higher coach within the league to maintain his crew engaged whereas striving towards the purpose of back-to-back titles.
