Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Joe Mazzulla Calls Out Ex-Assistant For Mind Games Disguised As A Hug
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Boston Celtics News & Analysis > Joe Mazzulla Calls Out Ex-Assistant For Mind Games Disguised As A Hug

Joe Mazzulla Calls Out Ex-Assistant For Mind Games Disguised As A Hug

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla calls ex-assistant Charles Lee "an enemy" in-season, underscoring his relentless commitment to winning.

Vishwesha Kumar
Nov 16, 2024
4 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has established himself as one of the league’s most competitive and unconventional leaders. Known for his fiery demeanor and sharp tactical mind, Mazzulla recently shared a peculiar incident involving his former assistant, Charles Lee, now the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, that underscores his relentless commitment to a competitive edge.

“I told Charles when he left, ‘I’m not talking to you during the season. I’m not waving to you at the national anthem. I’m not doing that. You’re an enemy.”

“So he breached NBA rules and came into the assistant coach locker room and forced me to give him a hug. That could easily be a psychological tell that knocks you off your game competitively. So he knew what he was doing.”

During a media session, Mazzulla recounted an interaction with Lee before a game between the Celtics and Hornets earlier this season. The story highlighted Mazzulla’s no-nonsense approach to relationships with opposing coaches during the season.

When asked if he enjoyed the hug, Mazzulla gave a curt response: 

“No.”

His philosophy centers on viewing every opponent, even friends and former colleagues, as adversaries during the grind of the NBA season. However, Lee didn’t adhere to this unwritten rule. According to Mazzulla, Lee entered the assistant coaches’ locker room—a breach of NBA protocol, as Mazzulla jokingly noted—and forced him into a hug. For Mazzulla, this was more than just a friendly gesture; he saw it as a calculated move to disrupt his focus.

While most would dismiss the hug as a harmless or even warm gesture, Mazzulla’s hyper-competitive mindset framed it as a potential distraction. His comment about “psychological tells” indicates his belief that even small moments of camaraderie could be exploited to gain a mental edge. It’s a rare glimpse into the intensity that has helped him lead the Celtics to great success, including a championship last season.

Mazzulla’s competitive edge appears to be paying off. The Celtics swept their two-game series against the Hornets earlier this season, maintaining their strong start with a 10-3 record. Mazzulla has the highest winning percentage of any head coach in NBA history, and his methods, though unconventional, seem to resonate with his team.

Mazzulla’s intensity may seem extreme, but it’s part of what makes him one of the league’s most intriguing figures. His philosophy reinforces the idea that every interaction, no matter how trivial it seems, can affect the outcome of a game. While his approach might not align with the friendlier norms of NBA culture, it underscores his commitment to winning and his belief in maintaining a psychological edge.

For Mazzulla, there’s a time and place for camaraderie—just not during the season.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support. 

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Boston Celtics ArchiveJoe Mazzulla
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByVishwesha Kumar
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Previous Article Video: Ben Simmons Shoots 0-8 In Shootaround During Warm-Up
Next Article Draymond Green Intentionally Trips Zach Edey To Avoid Fastbreak
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics News & Analysis

New Return Date For Jayson Tatum Could Put Celtics Back In Championship Picture

October 3, 2025
Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?