{"id":61029,"date":"2024-01-08T07:00:01","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T12:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=61029"},"modified":"2024-01-07T19:12:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T00:12:34","slug":"evaluating-joe-mazzullas-second-season-so-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/01\/08\/evaluating-joe-mazzullas-second-season-so-far\/","title":{"rendered":"Evaluating Joe Mazzulla\u2019s Second Season So Far"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Joe Mazzulla\u2019s coaching had been a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonherald.com\/2023\/05\/19\/callahan-celtics-season-long-problems-coming-back-to-haunt-them-against-miami\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">point of criticism<\/a> entering this season and throughout last year. The youngest head coach in the league doesn\u2019t have the experience that many elite coaches do, and it showed at times. With a full year of experience, an <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/12\/20\/evaluating-each-celtics-offseason-addition-so-far-kristaps-porzingis-jrue-holiday\/\" target=\"_self\">improved roster<\/a>, and a solid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.celticsblog.com\/2023\/10\/12\/23906207\/championship-dna-what-sam-cassell-and-charles-lee-bring-to-the-celtics\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">coaching staff<\/a> around him this season, many expected Mazzulla to make a jump. Let\u2019s evaluate Mazzulla\u2019s second season as a head coach so far.<\/p>\n<h2>Evaluating Joe Mazzulla\u2019s Second Season So Far<\/h2>\n<h3>The Good:<\/h3>\n<h4>Mazzulla&#8217;s Curveballs<\/h4>\n<p>Before the season started, Mazzulla discussed the idea of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fShVcFTK6RM\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">flexibility and throwing some \u201ccurveballs\u201d<\/a> with different lineups and defensive schemes. This flexibility and versatility have been on full display for Boston\u2019s defense all year. This includes switching <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holidjr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jrue Holiday<\/strong><\/a> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/whitede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derrick White<\/a><\/strong> on bigger players, allowing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/porzikr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kristaps Porzingis<\/a><\/strong> to thrive as an off-ball roamer or switching <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tatumja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jayson Tatum<\/a><\/strong> on fast downhill perimeter players like we saw against <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilgesh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Mazzulla has utilized zone defense more and even pulled out some full-court presses to throw opposing offenses off. These adjustments perfectly suit Boston\u2019s versatile and switchable roster. Mazzulla has experimented with it all and isn\u2019t afraid to make the necessary adjustments. On a similar note, Mazzulla\u2019s lineups and rotations make much more sense than last year, when they were sometimes questionable.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Exposing Boston&#039;s Unique Defensive Secrets\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CZsXxH2bj24?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4>Activating Porzingis<\/h4>\n<p>As the season progressed, so did Porzingis\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/12\/07\/impact-kristaps-porzingis-return\/\" target=\"_self\">involvement in the offense<\/a>. From the start, Porzingis\u2019 versatile defensive abilities were utilized. However, it took time to integrate him into the offense. In November, Porzingis <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask\/porzingis-stats-by-month\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">averaged<\/a> 11.9 field goals per game. In December, that number went up to 14.6. Porzingis\u2019 points per game also increased from 18.5 in November to 22 in December. He adds a different element to the Celtics\u2019 offense, giving them a post presence and elite lob threat. As a result, the Celtics&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/teams\/playtype-post-up?SeasonYear=2023-24\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">post-up frequency<\/a> has shot up from 24th in the league last year to second this year. Furthermore, in December, the Celtics were undefeated (8-0) in games Porzingis played. Ultimately, it\u2019s clear when Porzingis is at his best, so is the team, and Mazzulla deserves credit for prioritizing him in the offense.<\/p>\n<h4>Everyone Eats<\/h4>\n<p>Balancing a team that is loaded with star talent can be a difficult task. But through great ball movement and unselfish basketball, the Celtics have made it work. All five starters have vital roles in the offense, and nobody feels left out. Moreover, Boston tends to feed the hot hand. Tatum and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brownja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Brown<\/a><\/strong> have no problem taking a back seat if it\u2019s White or Porzingis\u2019 night. It\u2019s clear the Celtics have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nba\/celtics\/news\/jayson-tatum-reveals-what-he-said-in-players-only-meeting-before-start-of-season\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bought into<\/a> the unselfish culture Mazzulla has established.<\/p>\n<h3>The Bad:<\/h3>\n<h4>Over-emphasis on the Deep Ball<\/h4>\n<p>The Celtics <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/teams\/shots-general?dir=D&amp;sort=FG3A\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">lead<\/a> the league with 43 three-point attempts per game. Mazzulla has made it clear he believes there\u2019s no number too high in terms of three-point attempts. I generally don\u2019t hate this philosophy, especially given Boston\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/11\/09\/the-celtics-historic-floor-spacing\/\" target=\"_self\">elite shooting abilities<\/a>. However, shot diversity is crucial, especially in a playoff setting. The Celtics have the roster to be an elite finishing team. Currently, they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/teams\/shooting?dir=D&amp;sort=Less%20Than%205%20ft.%20FGA\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rank<\/a> 24th in shots at the rim despite ranking fifth in field goal percentage at the rim. Generating more rim pressure while slightly cutting back on the threes would greatly benefit the team. It makes them less predictable and better plays to the strengths of their stars.<\/p>\n<h4>Closing Out Games and Timeout Management<\/h4>\n<p>The Celtics&#8217; late-game problems from previous years have vastly been improved upon. However, there are still some signs of this issue, including a 1-3 season overtime record. Late-game issues are often paired with inexplicable offensive breakdowns, settling for three-point shots, and blown leads. These issues were on full display in earlier losses to the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. While these games are rare, and most of the Celtics&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/teams\/clutch-traditional\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">clutch time stats<\/a> are quite good, it\u2019s still a problem worth mentioning and one that could worsen in the playoffs. Furthermore, Mazzulla\u2019s unwillingness to call a timeout when the Celtics&#8217; offense breaks down has continued to be an issue. The Warriors and Timberwolves games are perfect examples of a situation where Mazzulla should have called a timeout to set a more structured play, as it was clear that\u2019s what the offense needed at the time.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">Deja Joe <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DseEIPGlNQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/DseEIPGlNQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BillSimmons\/status\/1737520523486404959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 20, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>The Last Word on Joe Mazzulla<\/h3>\n<p>Ultimately, this year has been a huge improvement for Mazzulla. He has significantly benefited from a year of experience as well as the improved staff and roster around him. Additionally, he has made more adjustments and has found his style as a coach. Mazzulla&#8217;s experimental nature and adapting to the new roster have been my favorite parts about him this season. The negatives I discussed about Mazzulla are somewhat easy fixes but ones that could be vital for the Celtics to reach their full potential.<\/p>\n<h4>Overall Grade: B+<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joe Mazzulla\u2019s coaching had been a point of criticism entering this season and throughout last year. The youngest head coach in the league doesn\u2019t have the experience that many elite coaches do, and it showed at times. With a full year of experience, an improved roster, and a solid coaching staff around him this season, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4779,"featured_media":61054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,1608,2,62],"tags":[1090,450,798,4865,239,138],"class_list":["post-61029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celtics","category-basketball","category-featured","category-nba","tag-derrick-white","tag-jaylen-brown","tag-jayson-tatum","tag-joe-mazzulla","tag-jrue-holiday","tag-kristaps-porzingis"],"modified_by":"Kayla Fonte","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4779"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}