Mazzulla discussed how he wants to one day be "forgotten."
Speaking earlier this week, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed a very interesting mindset and goal when it comes to how he wants to be remembered.
He doesn't want to be.
Huh?
What is Mazzulla saying?
Speaking with Josh Chambers of the Maryland Basketball program, Mazzulla essentially talked about sacrifice and service to something bigger than yourself.
His larger point? He wants the Celtics to always be getting better and better. And eventually, if the team keeps getting better and better, than new memories will get made constantly and the old memories will fade away.
He eventually wants to fade away, because it means that the organization has kept winning, kept building and kept improving.
For instance: Think about the Chicago Bulls. We all remember Phil Jackson's tenure as head coach in the 1990s. Why? Because the Bulls won six NBA titles. But also, why? Because the Bulls haven't won since Jackson left. There haven't been enough new memories to push out the old ones.
Does this make sense?
If you truly believe in the "greater good" and you truly believe in being egoless, then it does make sense. Mazzulla is saying that he values the Celtics over his own individual accomplishments and he values the organization as a whole over his fraction of time spent in it.
However, let's be real: If Mazzulla keeps winning, he'll be remembered no matter what. Red Auerbach is still remembered - and the Celtics have won since he stopped coaching.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla on the sidelines against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesAbout Mazzulla
A former college player at West Virginia, Mazzulla is still just 38 years old. He served as an assistant coach for the Celtics from 2019-2022 before getting thrust into the spotlight. He took over for Ime Udoka in 2022-23 after Udoka was let go for non-basketball reasons.
Since then, he's gone 328-238 (72.6 winning percentage) in four seasons. He's been to the playoffs all four years, including winning the NBA title in 2023-24.
Last season, playing largely without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics went 56-26 and earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Of course, they were upset in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.
This season will represent a new challenge for Mazzulla, as he'll have to coach for the first time without Jaylen Brown, who was traded to the 76ers this July.
Up next for the C's
Training camp begins in late September with the first preseason game marked for Oct. 8. The regular season begins on Oct. 20.
