SUMMARY
- JJ Redick acknowledges that the Celtics have come out far more stronger this year.
- Joe Mazzulla claims he needs to have faith in his team to get the job done in the NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics have certainly looked differently this season, especially showing the entire league that they can win against any other team with ease. This year, they achieved an impressive 64-18 record which is the Celtics’ fourth-best regular season record all-time. And in the playoffs, they’ve gone 12-3 against a few of the most dominant teams in the Eastern Conference. But the Dallas Mavericks are going to be their toughest matchup yet.
Recently, JJ Redick took some time to acknowledge the level of intensity that the Celtics have brought onto the court this year. “The point that I always make though is this team is so different. And particularly, as we assume Kristaps Porzingis is back in the NBA Finals. Derrick White is a different player this year. Jrue Holiday is sort of a Swiss army knife that has done everything that he’s been asked of,” said Redick.
The former NBA player also added, “But I have a real problem with not acknowledging, at least acknowledging how different this team [is]. How much better Joe Mazzulla has been this year as a coach and his comfort level? It’s like, that’s fine if we want to talk about the emotional hangover. But if you want to talk about basketball, this is a different team.” For one, Mazzulla has brought a sense of seriousness into the locker room ever since taking over last season.
Joe Mazulla opens up ahead of NBA finals
Mazzulla is all business and no play. During a recent press conference, the Celtics coach was about the type of mentality he will be carrying into the NBA Finals. His answer was, “I met three girls under the age of 21 who have terminal cancer. And I thought I was helping them, but they were helping me… Watching a girl that’s dying, smiling, that’s what it’s really all about. Having that faith.”
“I met three girls under the age of 21 who have terminal cancer. And I thought I was helping them, but they were helping me…Watching a girl that’s dying, smiling, that’s what it’s really all about. Having that faith.”
– Joe Mazzulla on his mentality
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 25, 2023
As serious as his answer was, in the Celtics’ case, Mazzulla believes he needs to do whatever he can to coach the team in the right way, and to make the right plays. But it all ultimately comes down to how much trust he has in each individual on the roster. The Celtics are a complete team with almost every player having the ability to stretch the floor and work in different aspects at any given point.
Jayson Tatum thanks his lucky stars for a second chance to win the title
Having made the NBA Finals in 2022 and lost to the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics have a lot of the line this year. Obviously, they have been one of the strongest teams over the years, but they’ve never been able to seal the deal. This is their second NBA Finals appearance in two years and the first since Mazzulla took over as head coach. Jayson Tatum briefly commented on what this year’s finals appearance means to him and his teammates.
THE 2024 NBA FINALS: MAVERICKS VS. CELTICS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aV1HtqKM0z
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 31, 2024
He said, “Obviously, we’ve been there before, we came up short. And a great opportunity to make it to the Finals again. You don’t always get a second chance, so really just looking at it as a second chance and trying to simplify things as much as we can… It’s another series that we gotta win.” This upcoming NBA Finals is a must-win for the Celtics as it will positively reflect on Tatum’s MVP case and the legacy of the team they currently have.