Brad Stevens Discusses Decision to Remove Interim Tag from Joe Mazzulla's Title: 'The Hardest Thing to Do Would Be Going into the Playoffs Looking Over Your Shoulder'

Under challenging circumstances, as head coach, Joe Mazzulla's played a pivotal role in the Celtics pulling in the same direction.

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The start of the Celtics' All-Star break brought with it the announcement of removing the interim tag from Joe Mazzulla's title, naming him the 19th head coach in franchise history.

At 42-17, Boston boasts the NBA's best record. It's why Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics' coaching staff are coaching in Sunday's All-Star Game, doing so for Team Giannis.

Discussing a decision that has many layers to it and why now was the right time to remove any uncertainty about Mazzulla's status beyond the current campaign, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens conveyed the following.

"I think one of the things that's pretty obvious and evident about Joe is he's a really good coach and he also is just an outstanding leader, and I think he's done a great job right from the get-go of, again like I said, galvanizing our players around a mission."

Regarding the timing of this decision, Stevens stated, "the idea of going into the playoffs, we're gonna be in battles. It's gonna be really tough," adding, "the hardest thing to do would be going into the playoffs looking over your shoulder."

And despite all the hurdles Mazzulla's had to clear, going from being behind the bench a season ago to, at 34, becoming the youngest active head coach in the NBA, making the leap right before training camp, getting promoted over fellow assistant coaches who mostly came to Boston with Ime Udoka, as head coach, Mazzulla's played a pivotal role in getting everyone to pull in the same direction.

"The mission is the mission, the goal is the goal, but the journey is a totally separate thing," expressed Stevens. "And to enjoy the journey and get where you want to go...everybody's all on one page, everybody's all in one direction, and that's really hard to do."

Stevens also shared his admiration for Mazzulla for not making any excuses in a situation where there is plenty for him to choose from, instead being quick to take accountability.

That same sentiment applies to how Stevens feels about Mazzulla's investment in the people in the Celtics' locker room.

"I know he gives a damn about everybody in that locker room. He really, really cares. It eats him up when something doesn’t go well individually for a guy. It eats him up when he feels like he’s let the team down."

As Boston's place atop the NBA standings suggests, there haven't been many instances of Mazzulla letting the team down.

Further Reading

The Layers of the Celtics Naming Joe Mazzulla Head Coach

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Grant Williams Reportedly Seeking Contract In the $20 Million Annually Range

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Mike Muscala on Celtics Debut: 'a Blessing, it was Fun'

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