Despite a disappointing Eastern Conference Finals loss, Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics have elected to retain head coach Joe Mazzulla heading into their 2023-24 NBA campaign.
Mazzulla just completed his first season as an NBA head coach. The 34-year-old newcomer was forced into a difficult situation after the sudden firing of Ime Udoka prior to this past season.
Brad Stevens says Joe Mazzulla will be back as Celtics head coach next season pic.twitter.com/Np76Ij9smS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 1, 2023
“He’s a terrific leader,” Stevens said of Mazzulla on Thursday. “He’ll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year because he’s constantly trying to learn.
“… I think when you consider the position he was thrust into and the overall accomplishments of the group, I thought he did a really good job.”
Brad Stevens asked if Joe Mazzulla is the best coach to lead team forward: “I think he is … He’s a terrific leader. He’ll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year because he’s constantly trying to learn.”
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) June 1, 2023
Brad Stevens on Joe Mazzulla: “I think when you consider the position he was thrust into and the overall accomplishments of the group, I thought he did a really good job.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) June 1, 2023
Mazzulla and the Celtics found success during the regular season, putting together a 57-25 record and earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. But, the team struggled with consistency in the postseason and failed to meet its championship expectations.
Mazzulla looked shaky at times during this year’s playoffs, but that’s to be expected from a first-year head coach. With that in mind, it appears Stevens and the Boston organization are giving the young coach plenty of runway to improve.
With a full NBA season now under his belt, Mazzulla will look to bring the Celtics to new heights this coming season.