Hard lineup decisions require trust
Mazzulla benched Grant Williams this week
Joe Mazzulla knows decisions like his surprise benching of Grant Williams in the Celtics’ victory over the Cavs on Wednesday night won’t make the player on the receiving end pleased. But the C’s coach embraces that, and expects that reaction.
“I think the most important thing is having the relationship and the second thing is just letting people feel how they want to feel,” Mazzulla said before Friday’s game against the Nets. “You shouldn’t be happy about that. I don’t want you to be happy. If you’re happy, then we have a bigger issue. So I’m OK with how people respond to certain things that happen to them, because it shows they care.”
The Celtics have made sacrifices up and down the roster this season. Their depth is a strength, but with it comes hard decisions in regards to playing time. Still, Wednesday’s choice to not play Williams — who has become a fixture off the bench — was unexpected. Williams had played in all 61 prior games he was available this season, and hadn’t received a DNP via coach’s decision since 2021.
Mazzulla explained the decision as matchup-based as he went with Mike Muscala and Sam Hauser off the bench instead of Williams, who is one of their best 3-point threats and versatile defenders. It was the latest example and reminder that on every night, sacrifices are required within this deep and talented group for the sake of their pursuit of a championship. From Malcolm Brogdon, who joined the C’s knowing he’d have to sacrifice playing time, to Payton Pritchard, who has been vocal about his displeasure in decreased playing time but has still maintained a professional mindset, that has shown itself in different ways.
“The one thing I’ve credited our team on the entire year is their humility and their understanding and their wanting to win,” Mazzulla said. “So, from top to bottom our guys have a humility about them. That doesn’t mean they can’t be mad about a decision. I want guys to express their opinion. They should express their opinion. We’re humans, that’s important. But our team has a humility and I’ve always said that and so we’re gonna rely on that to get where we want to get to.
“Especially now. Most teams are dealing with what we’re dealing with. We have 18 games left and our starting lineup has only played 68 minutes (entering Friday). So some of the stuff that gets ironed out at the beginning of the season is getting ironed out now for us. We just have to work on that. But I trust our locker room, I trust our team, and I trust that every individual here will handle it, and that winning is the most important thing.”
Mazzulla may be a firsttime head coach this season but his players seem to have full faith in his decisions on these matters, which may affect them individually. He said he approaches those difficult conversations with honesty, truth, respect, communication and understanding, and he’s been received well.
“I think just because of me being here, I felt their trust from the beginning,” Mazzulla said. “I think there’s times where I’ve had to prove myself to them, yes. I think there’s times where I’ve had to make decisions to what I think is best for the team. But at the end of the day, my number one goal is to not take advantage of the trust and respect they have for me and to cherish that and to use that to put our team in the best chance to win. I know our entire team wants to win, and that’s the only thing that matters, is winning and respecting each other and communication and not taking advantage of the trust they have in me.”
Tatum in rare company
Jayson Tatum turned 25 on Friday and his list of accomplishments at this point of his career has him among some of the all-time greats. His 9,429 career points before turning 25 ranks seventh in NBA history, and two points ahead of Bucks star Giannis Antetekounmpo. His plus/minus of plus-2,405 before his 25th birthday ranks second in history, behind Tony Parker and ahead of his idol, Kobe Bryant.
On Wednesday, Tatum said he didn’t think he’s where he envisioned himself at 25.
“I guess I never really take time to think about where I’m at or the things I’ve accomplished,” Tatum said. “Time does fly. This is my sixth season, about to be 25. So I’m just trying to enjoy the moment, stay present because these six years in the league have flown by. But I’d like to think that I’ve been doing alright and hopefully continue to get better and stay healthy and improve and win some more games.”
Bench assist
When the Celtics won a challenge late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s win over the Cavs — which overturned a foul call originally assessed on Marcus Smart to Donovan Mitchell — a group of C’s players immediately went over to assistant coach Matt Reynolds to celebrate him, some pointing in his face.
Reynolds, a Lexington native who’s worked in the Celtics organization since 2015, has an iPad with him during games and, seemingly, responsible for viewing replays and determining if a play is worth challenging. And he’s developed a reputation for being correct more times than not.
“A lot of faith,” Hauser said. “His percentage this year has gotta be over like 95% on challenges. He’s doing real well, he’s doing real well. Every time he says challenge it, I think we’re going to get it.”
Hauser wasn’t one of the players on the bench pointing at Reynolds after the successful challenge, but there’s certainly a lot of trust in the assistant’s judgment.
“Everybody looks at him when that happens,” Hauser said. “I think he likes it. I think he likes a little bit of attention every now and then, so it’s good.” …
Brogdon was a late scratch to Friday’s game due to right ankle soreness.