Joe Mazzulla likes math – and the Celtics are using it to their advantage so far
2 years, 1 month ago

Joe Mazzulla likes math – and the Celtics are using it to their advantage so far

New York Times  

BOSTON — Joe Mazzulla respects the numbers. “We’re fourth in shot-selection defense and we’re last in midrange points per shot and we’re first in midrange frequency. We just have to execute consistently.” — Boston Celtics October 31, 2022 “Joe’s been putting a lot of emphasis on our defense, on the defensive end,” said Malcolm Brogdon. Sunday’s game against the Wizards provided another example of how Mazzulla’s team has given itself a math advantage early in the season. “I saw the same effort that we’ve had the first however many games we’ve played,” Mazzulla said.

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Joe Mazzulla was a Division 2 coach not long ago. He’s now an NBA champion, and just getting started
6 months ago

Joe Mazzulla was a Division 2 coach not long ago. He’s now an NBA champion, and just getting started

Associated Press  

Joe Mazzulla has been called weird. “There’s nothing better than representing the Celtics,” Mazzulla said, “and being part of history.” Including playoffs, Mazzulla’s record is now 148-54 — a.729 winning percentage. “The thing you just can’t take for granted in the game today is a coach’s greatest gift is a group of guys that want to be coached, want to …

The Celtics’ formula is lots of 3s, lots of stops. The Mavericks need a solution in the NBA Finals
6 months, 2 weeks ago

The Celtics’ formula is lots of 3s, lots of stops. The Mavericks need a solution in the NBA Finals

Associated Press  

BOSTON — When the Boston Celtics make a ton of 3-pointers, forget it. It’s just basketball, and we’ve got to be better at the game of basketball on Sunday.” And it’ll start with doing a better job on 3s — either making more, giving up fewer, or both. Obviously, we’ve got to make more.” And it was a team effort …

The Celtics might have perfected the modern NBA offense: Unending 3s and midrange firepower
6 months, 2 weeks ago

The Celtics might have perfected the modern NBA offense: Unending 3s and midrange firepower

New York Times  

BOSTON — Twenty years after the Seven-Seconds-or-Less Phoenix Suns shook up the NBA with an offense the likes of which the league had never seen or tried to defend before, the Boston Celtics have taken things to the next level. Behold the perfect modern NBA offense, matching 3-point volume and efficacy with ruthlessly efficient midrange shooting, with the occasional drives, …

Celtics’ 14-0 response after timeout makes Joe Mazzulla look like coaching wizard
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Celtics’ 14-0 response after timeout makes Joe Mazzulla look like coaching wizard

New York Times  

BOSTON — As nobody has come up with a Top 100 Greatest Timeouts in Sports History, would it be OK if we submitted Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, Game 1, 2024 NBA Finals, for consideration? GO DEEPER Celtics squash Mavs in Game 1; Porziņģis shines in return So, yes, if the guy calls a timeout after a 29-point lead has been …

Celtics have followed ‘craziness’ of Joe Mazzulla’s coaching style straight to the NBA Finals
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Celtics have followed ‘craziness’ of Joe Mazzulla’s coaching style straight to the NBA Finals

Associated Press  

BOSTON — When Celtics guard Derrick White stood in the corner behind the 3-point line late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals as teammate Jaylen Brown drove into the lane, drew defenders and flipped a pass toward him, White felt prepared for the moment. “Things that you can’t take for granted,” said Mazzulla, who at age 35, is …

Celtics cruise past Nets 136-86 to give Joe Mazzulla his 100th win as head coach
10 months, 1 week ago

Celtics cruise past Nets 136-86 to give Joe Mazzulla his 100th win as head coach

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Payton Pritchard scored 28 points and the NBA-leading Boston Celtics routed Brooklyn 136-86 on Wednesday night, giving Joe Mazzulla his 100th victory as head coach and handing the Nets the second-worst loss in franchise history. Jayson Tatum added 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Celtics, who beat the Nets on back-to-back nights and for the …

Joe Mazzulla pulls Celtics’ starters in second half vs. Bucks: ‘Best for everybody’
11 months, 1 week ago

Joe Mazzulla pulls Celtics’ starters in second half vs. Bucks: ‘Best for everybody’

New York Times  

MILWAUKEE — The usual Boston Celtics starters occupied the last five seats on the bench as the second half began Thursday night. “I just thought it was in the best interest of our team,” Mazzulla said after Boston’s 135-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. “It was good to see people that I’d seen for a long time walking through these …

How Celtics set the standard for NBA defensive innovation: Zones, ‘peel switching’ and high IQ
11 months, 1 week ago

How Celtics set the standard for NBA defensive innovation: Zones, ‘peel switching’ and high IQ

New York Times  

In the NBA now, it seems like everything is about high-powered offense and scoring. Based on the numbers, Boston’s defense ranks as the second best in the NBA, allowing 110.8 points per 100 possessions. Just ask Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who committed a critical turnover when he was trapped by Celtics defenders late in Boston’s overtime win over Minnesota …

Inside Celtics’ roller-coaster season: Mazzulla’s learning curve, Wyc’s challenge and a wild ending
1 year, 6 months ago

Inside Celtics’ roller-coaster season: Mazzulla’s learning curve, Wyc’s challenge and a wild ending

New York Times  

When the Celtics fell into an 0-3 hole in the Eastern Conference finals, everyone was at a loss for words postgame. Moments after falling to the Warriors in the Finals last season, then-coach Ime Udoka delivered an inspirational message to the players: “This is just the start.” Three months later, Udoka’s suspension, which later turned into a dismissal, left the …

NBA Playoffs: Boston breaks under Heat check; can Joe Mazzulla fix Celtics?
1 year, 7 months ago

NBA Playoffs: Boston breaks under Heat check; can Joe Mazzulla fix Celtics?

The Hindu  

Exasperated by the Miami Heat cruising to a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals, time is running out for Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla to repair what he confessed was a fractured locker room. “Yeah, it’s why I need to be better to figure out what this team needs to make sure they’re connected by the time we …

After Miami blowout pushes Celtics’ season to brink, everyone is taking blame
1 year, 7 months ago

After Miami blowout pushes Celtics’ season to brink, everyone is taking blame

New York Times  

MIAMI — Coming into Game 3, the Boston Celtics had a plan and a purpose. Mazzulla was asked, “I don’t want to say you lost this team, but is there a disconnect between you and the players at this point?” “Yeah, that’s where I have to be better,” Mazzulla answered. That’s my job.” Miami has pushed Boston to reevaluate its …

Boston Celtics show dominant defense in series opener against Hawks, coach Mazzulla still hungry for improvement
1 year, 8 months ago

Boston Celtics show dominant defense in series opener against Hawks, coach Mazzulla still hungry for improvement

Hindustan Times  

The Boston Celtics put on a dominant display of defense to clinch a convincing 112-99 win against the Atlanta Hawks in the opening game of their Eastern Conference first-round series. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs between the Boston …

How Celtics’ role players are reinforcing Joe Mazzulla’s spacing system
2 years ago

How Celtics’ role players are reinforcing Joe Mazzulla’s spacing system

New York Times  

Joe Mazzulla’s core values have been taking shape over the first month-plus of the season, with the topic of spacing coming up on a nightly basis. It’s a sign Williams is turning into an actual wing, because the scheme is betting he can get deep into the defense and still make rim reads. He draws hard at the rim, even …

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