BOSTON — While there were some concerns and calls for Joe Mazzulla’s job as head coach of the Celtics, the organization is sticking behind their 34-year-old coach. Boston president Brad Stevens, talking after the C’s season came to an end in the East Finals, said he thought Mazzulla did a good job in his rookie season. Stevens said he believes Mazzulla is the best guy for the Celtics going forward.
“He’s a terrific leader,” Stevens said. “He’ll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year, because he’s constantly trying to learn. And he’s accountable.”
The C’s saw their season come to a disappointing end as they lost in Game 7 to the Heat. When they were down 3-0 in the East Finals, the criticism for Mazzulla was at its highest as there were many wondering if he could be the guy for the job. But the C’s rallied to tie the East Finals after ripping off three straight wins and the fire died down some.
Mazzulla was thrust into the head-coaching job just days before the Celtics opened training camp. Ime Udoka was abruptly suspended for the entire season, where Mazzulla took over as interim coach. The Celtics got off to a blistering 21-5 start to the season, though they cooled off. The organization promoted Mazzulla to full-time head coach at the All-Star break, showing it was committing to its first-team coach. The move also put an end to the Udoka era in Boston.
The Celtics finished the season 57-25 with the league’s second-best record, nabbing the No. 2 seed in the East Playoffs. From there, Boston beat the Hawks in six games in the first round, then it took a full seven games in the second round against the 76ers. The C’s also came back from a 3-2 series deficit to Philadelphia.
But the C’s scuffled in the East Finals, falling into a 3-0 hole. While they rallied and showed some spirit, they lost their margin for error. They were blown out in a Game 7 home loss that ended a title-contending season.
The Celtics now enter an important offseason, though some clarity for their coach is positive for the organization. There are other pressing questions the front office will have to answer in the coming months, including how the C’s will bolster the coaching staff around Mazzulla.
Story by Souichi Terada, masslive.com
