The Boston Celtics almost lost the first seed in the Eastern Conference but held on for an impressive win against the Philadelphia 76ers.
With around 20 games left, they can end the season as the team with the best record. And Joe Mazzulla is the man that’s made that happen.
Joe Mazzulla was recently made the permanent Head Coach of the Boston Celtics. While most liked the news, Stephen A. Smith took some issue with it.
“On one hand, I’m incredibly happy that Joe Mazzulla got the interim tag taken away and is the head coach of the Boston Celtics,” Stephen A. Smith said on First Take. “On the other hand, I make no apologies for the fact that it was premature.”
Joe Mazzulla hasn’t held a Head Coach position before this but he has impressed in his short time as the man leading the Celtics. But Stephen A. Smith had some more reasons for saying what he did.
“Coaching is important come postseason time,” Smith explained. “Those best-of-seven game series and the adjustments that need to be made, not just on the fly but preparing from game to game. That is a question mark that the Boston Celtics have yet to answer because obviously, the postseason has not begun.
“Let’s not summarily dismiss that, particularly when you talk about going up against the likes of (Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike) Budenholzer or (Philadelphia 76ers head coach) Doc Rivers.”
Mazzulla indeed lacks experience, but he came into a high-pressure job and has performed extremely well. It happened oddly as well, thanks to the Ime Udoka scandal, but the Celtics have somehow only gotten better under Mazzulla. Raising concerns about the appointment might make sense, but no one can say that he hasn’t earned it.
Is Hiring Joe Mazzulla Permanently A Bad Move For The Celtics?
Based on all the evidence so far, the fact that they are the best team in the league this regular season doesn’t seem like a bad move. It means Ime Udoka won’t come back, but that was always likely after how controversial that entire saga became.
Joe Mazzulla has a 4-1 record this season against the two coaches Stephen A. Smith mentioned, Doc Rivers and Mike Budenholzer. If the Celtics can get back to the NBA Finals under his stewardship, which is a real possibility, then the hiring will look as good as any other move they might have made.
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