The Boston Celtics continued their winning streak, stretching it to four games and achieving the milestone of being the first team to secure a playoff berth this season, courtesy of a commanding 127-112 triumph over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. While the victory itself was impressive, it was a defensive move by their head coach, Joe Mazzulla, that stole the spotlight.
In the closing moments of the fourth quarter, Jaylen Brown intercepted a pass from Grayson Allen and punctuated the win with a thunderous slam dunk, prompting a timeout from the Suns. As both teams headed towards their benches, Suns forward Royce O’Neale attempted a three-pointer, a common sight after the whistle.
However, Mazzulla had other plans. With a swift motion, he contested O’Neale’s shot forcefully, disrupting his attempt which rebounded off the rim.
Post-game, Mazzulla elaborated on his defensive intervention:
“I noticed a player attempting a shot, who hadn’t been successful thus far, and I didn’t want him to gain any confidence heading back to their bench,” Mazzulla explained. “Gary [Washburn] queried me about this a month ago, and it’s a rule we adhere to on the bench. Players don’t take shots in front of our bench to boost their morale heading back. If I expect our players to contest, the coaching staff must lead by example.
“It boils down to mindset and approach, all within the framework of the game’s rules. It’s about setting a precedent. One of my biggest pet peeves is the notion of a player getting a free shot, and that’s simply not how it works. We maintain a standard for our team and hold ourselves to the same standard. There have been instances where we’ve faltered, and I’ve held the staff accountable. We must strive to avoid such lapses.”
Blocking opponents’ shots during dead ball situations is nothing new in basketball. Former Celtics luminary Kevin Garnett was notorious for such actions, with an entire highlight reel dedicated to his post-whistle blocks on YouTube.
However, a coach actively participating in such maneuvers is noteworthy.
“That’s Joe for you,” remarked Jayson Tatum. “It’s just who he is. When it happened, I wasn’t surprised. I expect Joe or any of the coaches to step up like that. That’s Joe for you.”
The Celtics boast the league’s second-best defense this season, conceding a mere 110.4 points per 100 possessions, a significant factor contributing to their stellar 52-14 record, placing them six games ahead of their nearest competitors. If antics like Mazzulla’s help maintain their focus and intensity, then they can only be viewed as beneficial.
