Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was on the short list of Coach of the Year candidates last year, much ado to the Celtics 64-win season. As the NBA ramps up for a new season, Mazzulla is in prime position to win the award.
Celtics Joe Mazzulla in Position to Hunt Down COTY this Season
Joe Mazzulla Deserves More Credit
Despite last season’s 64-18 record, Joe Mazzulla, in his second full season as the Celtics bench boss, lost out on the honor of the NBA’s Coach of the Year. There is no disrespect here to Mark Daigneault, who took the award as the coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. His winning of the award was more than well deserved. The fact that Mazzulla came in fourth in the voting is puzzling. Yes, it is fair to argue that the Celtics were moving through an already steady sustainment of success in the previous years before Mazzulla took over. Boston has been competitive and in contention for several years now.
Since the 2021-22 season, Boston has gone 51-31, 57-25, and 64-18. These records are nothing to slouch about. Those regular season records also contributed to two NBA Finals (winning last year) and a conference finals appearance in between. Joe Mazzulla was coach for two of the previous three seasons, while Ime Udoka coached the 51-31 season. Prior to that season, the Celtics never hit 50 wins after the 2017-18 season.
Despite his inexperience when taking over from Udoka, Mazzulla has had his struggles—coaching gaffs, clock management issues, and maybe even the realities of his youth in the context of an NBA coach trying to figure it all out on the run. Yet, Joe Mazzulla adapted considerably well. Given the sensitive situation surrounding Udoka’s sudden departure, the transition couldn’t have been easy. Going from second-row assistant coach to head coach without much of a heads-up is a tough go.
Mazzulla’s Impact Behind the Stars, Wins, and Records
While there is a narrative that some coaches ride the wave of an uber-talented roster, Joe Mazzulla isn’t in that category. He inherited an extraordinary team, no question. You’ve already struck gold for any first-time head coach who walks into a situation where Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the leaders on your roster. Then, the following year, add to the crew Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis—now that coach is overflowing with jewels.
Still, it is under Mazzulla that Tatum and Brown finally broke through the championship barrier. Under Mazzulla, Derrick White went from a bench player to a reliable starter (not to mention an Olympian). White has excelled incredibly as a player and scorer over the past two seasons. It is also under Mazzulla where soon-to-be 18-year veteran Al Horford has seemingly kept “washing up” at bay. Even going into his eighteenth year, Horford is still entrusted by his coach to play productive minutes, produce offense, and remain a fully capable starter when called upon. Horford will again be in that position to start this season due to Porziņģis’ injury recovery.
COTY is in Reach this Season
Joe Mazzulla has done much in his short time as the Celtics head coach. He had every bit to do with the team’s 64-win season, culminating in the organization’s first ring since 2008. Suppose the Celtics run it back this season with similar domination of the Eastern Conference. Suppose Jayson Tatum secures his first-ever MVP. Consider if the Celtics reach a similar record of 60+ wins. On top of that, they could achieve the overall best record in the NBA for the second consecutive campaign.
In this scenario, Joe Mazzulla should be on pace to take Coach of the Year honors. The team’s success is a testament to how much Mazzulla has grown since taking the team over. Recognition is deserved if the Celtics roll through the league again.
