For Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, it goes back to love

ORLANDO – For the Boston Celtics, six-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum is sidelined for likely the season due to an Achilles injury. Other key veterans — Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford — are gone as well. The 2024 NBA champions are off to one of their slowest starts in a decade.

Meanwhile, hours before tipoff near “The Happiest Place on Earth” in Disneyworld, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t feel sorry for himself nor his team while sitting on his hotel balcony on a warm and beautiful November day eating a grain bowl for lunch.

“No, and nor should anyone else,” Mazzulla told Andscape on Nov. 7, hours before a game against the Orlando Magic. “I don’t look at it as it’s unfair to the people, our team, our organization to look at this as anything other than just another NBA season. It’s unfair and it goes against the competitive purity? You just only sign up in the NBA if you have one of the best teams or a talent? You sign up in the NBA because of the purity of the competition working together.

“And so, it’s unfair to look at it any other way. And we have just as much of a chance every night to win if we do the things that we’re supposed to do on both sides of the ball.”

Mazzulla’s fourth season as head coach of the Celtics is expected to be the most challenging because of the loss of Tatum and the aforementioned roster departures. The Celtics’ 9-8 record entering Tuesday was their worst start through the first 17 games of a season since the 2013-14 record when they began 0-4.

The Christian faith-based Mazzulla, however, has embraced the challenge, has faith his team can win nightly, and is leaning on such legendary coaching friends as Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma for counsel.

The following is a recent Q&A with Mazzulla with Andscape in which he talks about competing with today’s Celtics, life without Tatum, All-Star guard Jaylen Brown’s leadership, staying uniquely himself, the Celtics’ new ownership, uniquely having his coaching staff play a pickup basketball game against the Boston media, and much more.

I don’t know what motivational speech you gave your players going into training camp or going into this season without Tatum, but how do you view your situation, and has it been humbling?

In the NBA, no matter what, everything is humbling. My first year, humbling year. Next year, it was humbling losing in the second round. So, the great thing about the NBA and really life is you’re always going to be humbled no matter what. So, I don’t think that’s any different. The greatest thing is nothing has really changed from a mindset perspective coming into training camp.

To me, the No. 1 responsibility that we have is what do we have as a team. Who are we? How can we be effective? How can we take advantage of those strengths, personalities, people that we have? How can we build awareness to what we’re not good at? And then, how can we build a system around that put us in position to give us a chance every night and towards the process of winning? It’s a credit to the guys. They’ve done a good job having an understanding of this. How do we have to play to win? This is the identity that we have, this is our strengths. Here’s where we have to leverage those. And it’s a credit to them.

What went through your mind when Jayson tore his Achilles tendon in the second round of the playoffs last season?

It was tough because you had to compartmentalize it quickly and then we had to try to win in a Game 5. So, it was both. Once the game was over, I spent time with him in the locker room. I’m very grateful for the relationship that we have, but he was in the [training room] most of the game. [Afterwards], he asked me to just come back there and be with him and just spend some time with him back there. Then you had to try to compartmentalize it because we had to try to win Game 5. And then we do that and then we lose Game 6, obviously. And then the offseason becomes about that.

There’s a dual thing there. It’s not about life without Jayson. It’s not about that. It’s about two separate things. How can I be there for him as a person? Then, how can I give the guys who are coming back to play the preparation, the mindset, the things that go into winning? How can I prepare to do that and give that? So, it’s kind of two completely different things. It’s not one and the same.

There’s a humanity level there of supporting a guy that’s going through something, and then there’s a respect, a tactical and a coaching thing with our team. This is who we have. We have a chance to be good. We have to quickly figure out how we can do that and get to that together.

As a competitor, how are you taking this challenge?

It’s great. I got a chance with Derrick [White], Payton [Pritchard], Sam [Hauser], Jaylen. You got Neemias [Queta] going into a role. You got new guys coming in. This is just part of it. Regardless of all the external stuff. The fine line between winning and losing comes down to the 10, 15 possessions a game. And you can so easily focus on that. But it’s like four and five could be six and three because of 10, 15 possessions in two games. And that’s the difference of where you’re at.

It’s focusing on that process. It’s the only thing that matters is building relationships with the players off the court, getting them better and focusing on the things that go into winning on a consistent basis and trying to master those things every day.

In terms of Jaylen, do you see a jump in leadership or anything more that he’s doing?

Everyone leads in different ways. He’s always been a vocal leader. He’s always been the guy that pulls people together, that holds people accountable, leads with his defense. So, I haven’t seen him do anything different. I’ve seen him take on more. But at the same time, he has an understanding of this is a team, we have to do this together.

So, it’s a great balance. But I thought he worked coming off of his injury last [season] as well getting back to where he was as quickly as he did to get ready. I thought he had a great training camp, and he’s playing really well on both ends of the ball, giving us a chance every night and wants to be coached. We couldn’t have asked for anything more than what he’s giving us.

Do you even envision Jayson playing the season?

I have no idea. I never thought about it. The only thing that I care about is that he’s a part of a team and it’s a credit to him. He’s on the bench for every game. He’s on the trips. He’s working out during practice. He is in the film rooms. He’s at shootarounds. That’s how he’s leading, with his presence, and that’s how he’s preparing to come back whenever that is. That’s the only thing that matters.

Everything else will take care of itself. But in moments like this when you can stick together and be a team and not distance yourself, that goes a long way and he does a great job of that.

Is there anything or anyone you turn to for counsel right now?

Outside of, obviously my faith, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s not any different. I don’t know how people are going to take this quote, but better coaches have gone through harder things in the NBA. There’s a list of amazing coaches who have had tougher challenges.

So, to me, the only thing I’m focused on is my family and the team and getting these guys better and putting them in position to win. The most respectful thing you do is give yourself a chance to win every night, have the competitive purity, and our guys are doing that. That’s it.

There hasn’t been a repeat champion in a while. Why is it so tough to repeat?

I don’t know that I have the answer because we didn’t do it. I just think the NBA is forever changing and the flexibility and ability to just go get a couple more guys and figure it out plays a huge part in that.

How much more appreciation do you have for your 2024 NBA title now that time has passed?

Honestly, I haven’t thought too much about it. The staff and team of the championship was a great group of people to be with and compete with every day. But I have a ton of appreciation for the guys that we have right now. This is the competitive purity, we get to come in every day and chip away at it and build a togetherness, a toughness and a mindset. That’s what I appreciate about us, especially this year.

I appreciate that competitiveness. I appreciate their willingness to get better. And I believe we’re a good team. I believe we have a chance to be good because of those guys and because of the nights that they have.

What has kept you uniquely you and not feel like you need to change?

My faith. I know I’m supposed to be here. I know this is the gift that God has given me. I know it’s exactly where we’re supposed to be. I tell my wife and the Celtics I’m very grateful to the Celtics. They obviously kept me around. But at the same time there’s a great balance we have to live up to the Celtics [championship tradition]. But we want everyone to be themselves. And I really value the relationship that I have with the players because we all can be ourselves. They allow me to be myself, and I hope that they feel that I allow them to.

Outside of winning, one of the greatest gifts you could have as a coach is the relationship that you have with your players and the people in your building. And if there’s a high level of authenticity there, it doesn’t mean it’s always going to go perfect or we’re not going to have arguments or people aren’t pissed at each other. But the alignment and the gift that the players give me — being able to be yourself and just kind of go through this together — I’m very fortunate, lucky to have that.

Have you gotten to know the new ownership yet?

Yeah. Well, we got him [Bill Chisholm] his first win [against New Orleans on Oct. 27]. It took a while. The greatest strength that the Celtics have had is alignment ever since I’ve been here. Ownership, front office, coaching players, staff all the way down the line. And we haven’t skipped one beat in that alignment. Even with the change, there’s been a lot of carry over. But the greatest thing that has been consistent thus far is just the alignment.

We’re all on the same page about what success looks like, what the process looks like, how you run an organization, how you build the culture. There’s just beautiful alignment and it’s a credit to the ownership and to [Celtics president of basketball operations] Brad [Stevens] and to everyone keeping that together.”

Have you talked to Pep Guardiola lately?

I talk to him every couple of days. Well, they’re going through some challenges too, right? But they’re playing well, though. I was able to spend some time with him here in Orlando over the summer. They were here for the (FIBA) Club World Cup. And just the joy and the humility that guy coaches with, with the amount of success that he has, is amazing. That to me is what it’s about. Anybody could have joy and humility when you are guaranteed to win or when you quote ‘have it.’ But to keep that competitive joy and that humility, that to me is what it’s all about over the course of a journey. And he has that.

There have been times where he’s called me after they lost and I’m like, ‘I don’t know. I would never have called me.’ And he has just amazing perspective. So, they’re playing well. I enjoy [the conversations] and I’m always learning from him, especially from that standpoint.

How did you meet Pep and why do you think you guys connected?

We had a connection through an agency originally. But I had studied him for a long time — not comparing us, he’s way above me. But our beginnings were the same from the standpoint of when Barcelona was going through a coaching change, he was the ‘B’ team coach and they could have went out and got a name [coach], and they brought in an internal guy, and he was able to build something.

I’ve always studied his career because of that. He was so good so young and has maintained that. And he has a perfect balance. And if you take a look at a coach, you can manage talent, develop talent, gameplan, [be] tactical. He is like a nine or a 10 out of 10 in multiple buckets of what makes a great coach. And to be that well-rounded, it’s something that you got to dive into. So, I’ve been really grateful that he’s allowed me to just see that come to fruition. And yeah, it’s been a lot of fun.

Is Pep your main coaching friend outside of the NBA world?

Outside of basketball coaches? Yeah. [Connecticut women’s basketball coach] Geno [Auriemma], I’m very close with him. And he’s been great. We’re both Italian. And he’s another guy when you look at people who have had long-term success but have maintained a high level of perspective and humility. Those are the people that you want to learn from because that’s what you’re going after. You’re going after long-term success.

But what you’re also going after is you don’t want to do this 10 years down the line and look back and you’re like, ‘Who am I?’ And Geno has a beautiful relationship with his wife, cares about being a grandfather, just understands. And so, they kind of paved the way.

You got obviously [New England Patriots head] coach Mike Vrabel, just having a connection in the city. He’s been great. And just getting to know him and [Patriots offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniel and having that crew back together and what they do, how they go about it. And then [Los Angeles Rams head coach] Sean McVay is another one. He’s another guy who has had success, so much success so young. And he’s maintained that perspective, humility, that competitive joy. He gives you beautiful perspective. He’s got a beautiful relationship with his wife. He cares about his players and finds ways to win.

It’s easy to say you love coaching when you have a chance to win a championship every year. But for the years where you’ve got to grind it out and you’ve got to really build something, that’s love. And I’ve learned that. I felt that. And when you’re kind of going through that love, you realize this is really all about love.

I don’t get the sense that you’d be coaching a long time like Geno though, right?

Probably not. No. He’s been doing it for a long time.

Do you even have any timeframe on how long you want to do this?

No, just however long God wants me to do it. However long the players want me to do it. My wife and I always say we’re always going to be where God wants us to be and however long the players will have me.

How did you get the idea of Boston media versus Celtics coaches pick-up game and implement it?

It goes back to love, breaking down barriers and being yourself. I never thought it would get to the point that it did, but over the years we’ve tried to develop relationships and have an understanding of one another. I was like, ‘What better way to do that than in an environment where everyone is the same?’ That’s what sports are about. That’s what competition does.

It was just an opportunity to authentically be yourself around a bunch of other people. Everyone had their hair down. I didn’t know there were any cameras around, but everyone just kind of would be themselves. And it was a really special moment. A lot of good came out of it because we got to understand each other, got to see each other. And then everyone talked about that game.

But there was another [media] game after that we coached. I did the score and two of my assistants coached the media. And they played against each other and we got to coach them through situationally and then hung out for 20 minutes after and just kind of talked about the game. And to me, it just broke down a barrier that only competition in sports can break down to where we enter each other’s arena. And so, I have a lot of respect for those guys, and it was good.

When you have these opportunities to sit and relax and have your lunch and a beautiful day like this, what kind of stuff do you reflect on?

I’d say just love and gratitude. I get to coach the Boston Celtics. I’ve got great relationships with the players. I feel like there’s a true genuine love amongst us. There’s a respect there. I have a strong relationship with my wife. My kids are going after something that’s important to them. And we have a platform to use.

It’s hard when you lose a game. It’s hard when you don’t win or you let someone down to remember that there’s gratitude in that love. But I think this is the ultimate sign of love and competition.

How do you feel about this team?

I love this team. And I mentioned this to the team before, ‘You can win and be empty. You can win and have emptiness. You can lose and be satisfied. You can lose and have emptiness and be satisfied.’ But to go after something with a group of guys that we have every day, I’ve left every practice, every film session, every game fulfilled because of the opportunity that we have, because of the players that we have, because of the mindset that they have.

But the words that have come to mind up until this point is purpose and fulfillment because you’re going after something with different people and it’s really hard. And that’s what you sign up for. You just forget that you sign up for it because of all the external stuff. But every day I’ve been fulfilled while I’m hanging out with these guys.

Are you doing anything special for Thanksgiving?

We always invite the staff or players who don’t have family over to the house. But it’s not a major holiday for us. A sense of community is important while also respecting that people have their own lives.

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