Inside The Celtics

'Won't Be Doing That Anymore': Joe Mazzulla Told to Stop Blocking Shots in Timeouts

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla conveys the significance behind challenging opponents' shots when there's a break in the action.

Bobby Krivitsky

Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
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During the fourth quarter of the Boston Celtics' 127-112 win over the Phoenix Suns last Thursday, Joe Mazzulla saw Royce O'Neale go to launch a three after the visitors took a timeout. That they trailed 124-106 with under three minutes left didn't matter to the C's bench boss. Mazzulla elevated to challenge O'Neale's attempt. 

After the game, he conveyed, "One of the biggest pet peeves is just thinking that a guy is just gonna get a free shot. It's just not the way it works, and if we're gonna hold our team to a standard, we are going to hold the staff to the same thing."

But in an appearance on Zolak and Bertrand on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Boston's second-year head coach shared that he got told to stop contesting shots during breaks in the action.

"All I know is we won't be doing that anymore," stated Mazzulla.

The Johnston, Rhode Island native also voiced the following on the meaning behind his act.

"We can laugh about it, but at the end of the day, I think (that) you have small moments in an organization to set the temperature of what you want to be about. And we did that last year, and getting back to that's an important thing for our team; the mindset that we're trying to bring, that we're gonna bring it every day, that we want our opponents to constantly be uncomfortable. We don't want to give them an edge at any point, and so, I appreciate the players allowing us to be ourselves as a staff, (and) I appreciate the staff buying into that."

Further Reading

Derrick White Reflects on Basketball Journey, First Triple-Double: 'I Never Stopped'

Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'

Jayson Tatum Plays Entire Second Half vs. Suns: 'Don't Really Say That Many Times'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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