Mazzulla’s milestone shows continued faith in approach
BOSTON — Inside the Celtics locker room after their win over the Nets on Wednesday, Joe Mazzulla sent his players off with some parting words before they headed out for the All-star break, and then asked the room if they had anything to add.
Jayson Tatum, from his corner stall, then stood up and approached Mazzulla with the game ball.
“Congratulations,” Tatum said as he handed him the ball. “Hundredth win tonight.”
Tatum gave his coach a hug as the room showered him with applause. There was reason to celebrate as Mazzulla became the fourth-fastest head coach in the last 70 years to reach 100 career regular-season wins. Only Steve Kerr,
Tom Thibodeau and Avery Johnson have hit that mark faster.
“I told the guys, I think it’s something to be proud of, something to be grateful for, and I think it’s a testament to the people you have around you,” Mazzulla said. “I think in a business where individual success is highly talked about on a nightly basis, the box scores and stuff like that, to have a group of people that you can share your success with is important. It really starts with the players and I always tell them, I can’t be who I am if they don’t let me and I appreciate that.
“That’s a gift in coaching, you can always be in a situation where you don’t have empowerment, or you don’t have guys that allow you to be yourself. It’s an important gift that the players give me, and they give it to each other. And I think that’s important for us to continue to grow. So I’m grateful for that.”
Even as he won 57 games in his first season, there was a steep adjustment period for Mazzulla after he was suddenly promoted to the job following Ime Udoka’s suspension and ultimate dismissal. There was no time for him to prepare. For much of his first season, he was learning on the fly, and though the Celtics were still successful, his lack of experience cost them in certain moments.
But the Celtics didn’t lose faith in Mazzulla, who has certainly been more comfortable in his second season on the job. He had more time to prepare last summer. He came to training camp with a plan and a vision for his team’s identity. His style is certainly different.