During his relatively short tenure as head coach of the Boston Celtics, Joe Mazzulla has become something of an internet sensation. From his unabashed passion for jiu-jitsu to his peculiar ritual of watching “The Town,” a film set in Boston, four times a week to immerse himself in the city’s vibe, Mazzulla’s quirky antics have captured the attention of fans.
Even his responses to inquiries, like exclaiming “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph?” when asked about meeting Prince William and Kate Middleton during a Celtics game attended by the British Royal Family, have added to his meme-worthy persona. And let’s not forget the incident where he allegedly had to swiftly delete his inadvertently public Quizlet account containing amusing scouting reports on NBA players.
Mazzulla’s latest comedic episode unfolded during the Celtics’ 127-112 triumph over the Phoenix Suns. In the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, Royce O’Neale attempted a three-pointer after a timeout was called. Although the shot wouldn’t have counted, Mazzulla, true to form, amusingly attempted to block it:
His effort may have been textbook-worthy, albeit a tad delayed in timing. Nevertheless, he managed to get a hand up and sidestep to prevent a possible four-point play—a commendable move from a coach.
When asked about the incident post-game, Mazzulla responded with characteristic humor, likening his actions to a scene from the 2010 film “The Town.” Just as Jeremy Renner’s character, James Coughlin, sacrificed himself for his friend in the movie, Mazzulla wasn’t about to leave his players stranded, even if it meant risking a hefty fine for inadvertently obstructing a player during a game.
Love him or laugh at him, Mazzulla certainly pays attention to the finer details.
And if the Celtics manage to clinch the championship this year, don’t be surprised if Joe Mazzulla becomes the first NBA head coach in history to go shirtless at their team’s championship parade.
