Sad report: Joe Mazzulla shed tears as the Boston Celtics introduced a new coach to the team.
The NBA’s biggest talents have gathered in Salt Lake City for All-Star Weekend, the league’s annual showcase. This year, it includes Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics’ coaching staff, which is led by newly appointed head coach Joe Mazzulla. Here are five things you should know about the coach, who has gotten the Celtics off to a strong start in his brief tenure as interim head coach.
Mazzulla started in hard circumstances…
The Celtics named Mazzulla acting head coach after suspending Ime Udoka, who had recently taken the team to the NBA Finals in his first year as coach. Udoka was suspended after reportedly having an improper relationship with someone in the Celtics organization. While any unexpected change can provide difficulties for a team, the fact that it occurred just before the start of training camp could not have helped the issue.
Mazzulla had been on the Celtics coaching staff since 2019, when he received the emergency call.
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Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for the 2022–23 season.
Udoka’s suspension continues to impact the Boston Celtics’ media day.But he made the best out of poor circumstance.
There are arguably better ways to begin leading a team than in the midst of a scandal, but Mazzulla and the Celtics did not miss a beat. The club has a 42-17 record, the best in the NBA overall. He was also selected Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November after leading the Celtics to an 18-4 record.
After his first win of the season against the Philadelphia 76ers, his teammates surprised him with a victory shower.
