Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has had a roller coaster year-plus.
A third-row assistant on his predecessor Ime Udoka’s staff, Mazzulla was called into action prior just a week before training camp last season and wound up taking Boston to game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The team ripped off his ‘interim’ tag post-All-Star break, and then reportedly signed him to a contract extension this offseason. Boston will officially roll with the former West Virginia Mountaineer moving forward.
Heading into his second season at the helm, Mazzulla has the third shortest odds to win the NBA’s Coach of the Year award according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Here’s a look:
NBA Coach of the Year 2023-2024
Mark Daigneault +750
Adrian Griffin +900
Joe Mazzulla +1200
Rich Carlisle +1400
Nick Nurse +1600
Frank Vogel +1600
From a 30,000-foot view, Boston’s head coach did have success in his first season, especially given the circumstances around him. He did, however, make a few costly mistakes during his first campaign, specifically while deciding when to (and not to) call timeouts when his team was struggling.
This offseason, among other moves, the Celtics brought in assistants Sam Cassell, Charles Lee, and Jeff Van Gundy – a move thought to help make Mazzulla’s job easier and give him some additional experience in the room.
Personnel-wise, Boston shipped out Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, and Malcolm Brogdon while adding All-Stars Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday into the fold. They’ll also, obviously, return their two All-NBA players in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Will all of these moves put this Celtics team over the hump? Will they help Mazzulla add Coach of the Year to his resume? Or is it too much change in a given offseason?
The Play: To answer the question: time will tell. But I like where the head coach is at heading into year two. Take Joe Mazzulla +1200.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.
