In the aftermath of their latest disappointing playoff run, the Boston Celtics have many questions to answer this offseason. First on the list is probably All-NBA guard Jaylen Brown’s future, who is in line for a supermax contract. Second is the future of head coach Joe Mazzulla.
On Thursday, team president Brad Stevens answered the latter note definitively: Mazzulla will return to roam the Celtics’ sideline next season. And for someone with the successful and smart reputation of Stevens, his logic behind Mazzulla’s return seemed so cliche.
In fact, it was a little weak for a franchise with the pedigree of the Celtics and the current talent they have on their roster. This squad should be in line for the NBA title every season. They don’t necessarily have time to waste with a still-developing 34-year-old coach:
Is Joe Mazzulla the best head coach for the Celtics right now?
Brad Stevens responds 🗣️#Bleedgreen pic.twitter.com/U8XeWEvtkv
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 1, 2023
Brad Stevens on whether Joe Mazzulla is the best head coach for the team moving forward: “Yeah I think he is.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) June 1, 2023
There’s a lot to unpack in that answer, but I think what sticks out to me most is “We share results here.”
Who is “we” to Stevens? You can argue the Celtics’ players faltered in their seven-game Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Miami Heat. Even still, I’m pretty confident a more experienced coach weathers the storm and has Boston in the NBA Finals right now. Deflecting blame from Mazzulla, regardless of his inexperience, and giving him a vote of confidence doesn’t say much of how Stevens and the Celtics feel about him.
If anything, they just missed out on more qualified leaders like Monty Williams and Nick Nurse in Philadelphia and now have to ride out Mazzulla’s tenure with one of the NBA’s best teams on paper.
I don’t buy this Mazzulla endorsement from Stevens, and neither did NBA fans.
NBA fans were skeptical of Brad Stevens' logic to retain Joe Mazzulla.
big yikes. the answer should be "no, he is not." https://t.co/BnTvi4xBbs
— Dani Shaw (@deeshaw) June 1, 2023
This is surprising. I hope Stevens puts an experienced head coach next to Mazzulla on the bench to try to set him up for success. #NBA #Celtics https://t.co/Wk5SmUVIAA
— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) June 1, 2023
All Eastern Conference teams should be happy to hear this! https://t.co/53sKjTo0gv
— Kenny "The Roadman" Roda🎙🎧📻🏈⚾️🏀🏒⚽️ (@TheKennyRoda) June 1, 2023
Not surprising. I mean if they fired him who are they hiring ? Couldn’t possibly be another first time coach. So what Bud? Doc? Vogel? Idk https://t.co/v5COgpR3LJ
— Josh R. (@JR59340) June 1, 2023
if Brad, the man who hired him, can't even feign confidence in a press conference are we sure Joey Gumball is the right answer? https://t.co/7yRAB3hvOG
— Jackson Safon (@JacksonSafon) June 1, 2023
we can't force a square into a circle. Its a players league. I can't believe we're going to burn more years of the Jays with this experiment. I thought the org would have more urgency to win NOW. Mazzulla needs to go.
— John Yu (@johnny0723) June 1, 2023
That’s sad. Brad was so good at play calling and end of game situations and he can’t see that Joe is horrible at that. I guess they will just shoot 3’s and play iso ball with a guy that can’t dribble in the playoffs when teams play tough defense.
— Eric (@R_3_D_) June 1, 2023
As a reminder, Brad doesn't pay for tickets.
Never thought I'd say this about Brad, but he needs to go.
— Banner 18 (@JH47900883) June 1, 2023
