Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla wins ‘stupid’ NBA Coach of the Year award
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Joe Mazzulla won the NBA Coach of the Year award after leading the Boston Celtics to a 56-26 season and the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed, despite previously calling the award "stupid."
- The Celtics achieved strong offensive and defensive rankings while overcoming significant roster changes, including playing much of the season without star Jayson Tatum and losing key veterans.
- Mazzulla emphasized creating a fast-learning environment for younger players to compensate for the loss of experience, which helped the team remain competitive throughout the season.
- The Celtics finished the regular season strong with Tatum back but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after failing to close out a 3-1 series lead against the 76ers.
- Celtics President Brad Stevens and players praised Mazzulla’s leadership, work ethic, and focus on player development, noting his humility and dedication to the team’s success.