‘Joe Being Joe’ is How Celtics Star Described Joe Mazzulla Trying to Block a Shot

“Joe being Joe” is how Jayson Tatum described the actions of Joe Mazzulla during the Celtics game against Phoenix on Thursday night. Mazzulla did something you never see coaches do, attempting to block a shot as a timeout was called late in the game.

With just under three minutes left in the fourth quarter and right after Jaylen Brown dunked in another basket to extend Boston’s commanding lead, Mazzulla is seen running on the court and extending his arms to contest a shot by Suns forward Royce O’Neale right as a timeout was called.

Jaylen Brown: Badass

Also, Joe Mazzulla tried to block the shot as timeout was called pic.twitter.com/5boJSIeVbM

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) March 15, 2024

Even though the shot at the buzzer hit off the backboard and wasn’t close to going in,  Jay King, a Celtics reporter for The Athletic, asked Mazzulla why he tried to block a shot after the game. Here is how King summed up Mazzulla’s response: “Joe Mazzulla said O’Neale hadn’t made shots and he didn’t want him to get a rhythm. He said it’s a bench rule not to let guys shoot after the buzzer and if he asks the players to contest those shots the staff needs to do it too.”

The former WVU guard turned Celtics head coach was also quoted by King saying, “You can’t have guys going back to the bench feeling good about themselves.”

In addition to Tatum’s “Joe being Joe” comment, Brown was also asked what he thought about his coach getting involved in the action. “I didn’t see that. But it definitely sounds like Joe Mazzulla,” said Brown.

The Celtics won the game 127-112, although most of the reaction from Boston’s NBA-leading 52nd win was centered around the odd scene of seeing a head coach try to block a shot. But Mazzulla doesn’t care what people are talking about and wanted to show his team how serious he is about doing things the right way at all times.

Click here for more of WV Sports Now’s coverage of former Mountaineer Joe Mazzulla.