Joe Mazzulla Made Some Interesting Comments During Celtics Media Day

Months removed from leading the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship, Joe Mazzulla is back to work preparing for the upcoming season. And on Tuesday, Mazzulla had plenty of interesting things to say while speaking with the media on Celtics Media Day.

When asked about his mindset on repeating as champions, something the Celtics franchise has not accomplished since 1969, Mazzulla embraced the high expectations of Boston fans.

“When you think about Celtics basketball, you shouldn’t miss a beat.” We have a chance to win.” We want to win a championship every single year,” he said.

In fact, Mazzulla even took time to appreciate the opportunity he has to lead such an historic franchise that he feels is run the right way.

Joe Mazzulla talked about how grateful he is to be the coach of the Celtics.

“The biggest gift of this organization has been the alignment and consistency.” pic.twitter.com/5odtz7lmoo

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) September 24, 2024

“The biggest gift of this organization has been the alignment and consistency.”

Mazzulla also knows most champions often say it’s tougher to try repeat than win the first time because a championship team plays with a target on its back after lifting the trophy.

“People are gonna say the target is on our back, but I hope it’s right in our forehead in between our eyes,” said Mazzulla as serious as ever.

Back in June at the age of 35, Mazzulla became one of the youngest head coaches to win an NBA title when Boston defeated the Dallas Mavericks game five of the NBA Finals.

Mazzulla brought the Celtics their first championship since 2008, and NBA record 18th overall.

Overall, Mazzulla is the sixth-youngest head coach to win the NBA Finals. Baltimore Bullets HC Harry “Buddy” Jeannette was only 30 when he won the title in 1948. Other younger coaches include John Kundla (32), George Senesky (34), Bill Russell (34), Alex Hannum (34) and Pat Riley (37).

Mazzulla took over the interim duties for Ime Udoka before the 2022-2023 season, leading the Celtics to 57 wins during his rookie season. Mazzulla also coached in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

Mazzulla, who played guard at West Virginia from 2006-11, has worked his way up the coaching ladder over the past decade. Mazzulla began pursuing a coaching career following his graduation from West Virginia. Following coaching stints at Glenville State and Fairmont State, the former Mountaineer was hired as an assistant of the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s G-League team. Mazzulla went back to Fairmont State in 2017 to serve as the head coach of the Fighting Falcons.

During his WVU days, Joe Mazzulla was most known for his 17-point performance in the 2010 Elite Eight against Kentucky. Mazzulla stepped in for an injured Truck Bryant, helping the Mountaineers reach their first Final Four since 1959. Mazzulla played 145 career games at West Virginia.