Re: Celtics Hire Former Chess Prodigy Josh Waitzkin As Performance Consultant

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Boston Celtics have added former chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin as a consultant, a move that was never publicly announced until now. Waitzkin, whose childhood was portrayed in the 1993 Oscar-nominated film "Searching for Bobby Fischer," has been working closely with head coach Joe Mazzulla since the 2022-23 season.

Their relationship intensified after Boston's Game 7 loss to Miami in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. Following the defeat, Mazzulla spent eight days at Waitzkin's secluded Costa Rican home in what the coach described as a "cave process" designed to break him down and build him back up.

"I need Josh to make me better so I can help the team be better," Mazzulla told the Globe. "That's how it's always been."

Waitzkin's unorthodox approach included having Mazzulla surf powerful Pacific waves and hike barefoot through mountainous jungle terrain with dangerous wildlife present. The purpose was to expose mental vulnerabilities through physical discomfort.

"The heartbreak and the brokenness are what lead to the strength," Waitzkin explained. "How do you train for it? You learn to hunt for pain, hunt for adversity."

Waitzkin officially joined the Celtics as a consultant after Jeff Van Gundy departed for the Clippers last summer. He now spends approximately one week per month with the team and plans to remain throughout the playoff run.

The former chess prodigy helps coaches identify psychological tells in opponents and provides unique perspectives drawn from his background in chess and tai chi. Derrick White noted that Waitzkin offered valuable advice about connecting with referees to better understand their mindsets during games.

"One thing I've seen Joe do is exquisitely embrace adversity, learn to love tension, learn to love the battle," Waitzkin said, "as opposed to having a little piece of you that wants a way out."

Via Adam Himmelsbach/Boston Globe

[Beethoven]

I was going to roll my eyes and **yawn** at the prospect of hiring some kid (yes, I know he is an older adult now) who just knows how to play chess who, I assume, is desperately seeking to make a buck.

But as I kept reading, I realized he has some great exercises and a bona fide outdoors program that actually brings in a new physical experience that I guess holistically changes the person for the better.
So props to Josh and the Boston Celtics.

Just reading this already helped me immensely in my mental perspectives on things in my life. "Embrace adversity, tension, and discomfort"
(not seek it out, of course, but to acknowledge and tackle it as something you look forward to, rather than trying to avoid)
is a great statement I will try to implement in my life.
Life is hard. It is at least for me, many days you feel like giving up because life does not relent, and you cant seem to keep up. Gotta try this.

[BurningRome]

I don't know what to think about this but I wish my team had done this. It's so nerdy it will probably work.

[Melwing]

I was going to roll my eyes and **yawn** at the prospect of hiring some kid (yes, I know he is an older adult now) who just knows how to play chess who, I assume, is desperately seeking to make a buck.

But as I kept reading, I realized he has some great exercises and a bona fide outdoors program that actually brings in a new physical experience that I guess holistically changes the person for the better.
So props to Josh and the Boston Celtics.

Just reading this already helped me immensely in my mental perspectives on things in my life. "Embrace adversity, tension, and discomfort"
(not seek it out, of course, but to acknowledge and tackle it as something you look forward to, rather than trying to avoid)
is a great statement I will try to implement in my life.
Life is hard. It is at least for me, many days you feel like giving up because life does not relent, and you cant seem to keep up. Gotta try this.

I'm glad you came around to that. Nice thing to read.

I've learned to listen to the wisdom of people who are greatly skilled at chess and/or poker (often both).

[beefman]

the lakers should offer him triple the money or some other amazing package to lure him away

[Aris_AB15]

I was going to roll my eyes and **yawn** at the prospect of hiring some kid (yes, I know he is an older adult now) who just knows how to play chess who, I assume, is desperately seeking to make a buck.

But as I kept reading, I realized he has some great exercises and a bona fide outdoors program that actually brings in a new physical experience that I guess holistically changes the person for the better.
So props to Josh and the Boston Celtics.

Just reading this already helped me immensely in my mental perspectives on things in my life. "Embrace adversity, tension, and discomfort"
(not seek it out, of course, but to acknowledge and tackle it as something you look forward to, rather than trying to avoid)
is a great statement I will try to implement in my life.
Life is hard. It is at least for me, many days you feel like giving up because life does not relent, and you cant seem to keep up. Gotta try this.

Watch his interview on Joe Rogan show. He is a surprisingly versatile guy with great insights and advice.

[Sactown4Life]

I was going to roll my eyes and **yawn** at the prospect of hiring some kid (yes, I know he is an older adult now) who just knows how to play chess who, I assume, is desperately seeking to make a buck.

But as I kept reading, I realized he has some great exercises and a bona fide outdoors program that actually brings in a new physical experience that I guess holistically changes the person for the better.
So props to Josh and the Boston Celtics.

Just reading this already helped me immensely in my mental perspectives on things in my life. "Embrace adversity, tension, and discomfort"
(not seek it out, of course, but to acknowledge and tackle it as something you look forward to, rather than trying to avoid)
is a great statement I will try to implement in my life.
Life is hard. It is at least for me, many days you feel like giving up because life does not relent, and you cant seem to keep up. Gotta try this.

I agree, I was skeptical at first but decided to read...really glad I did. As Bruce Lee would say 'those physical limitations you're feeling are all in your mind'.
Mental vulnerabilities can overcome even the best of us!

[WaltFrazier]

How did the chess whiz work out vs Knicks tonight?

[Wingy]

Fug. They could’ve gotten Magnus if not for that dang 2nd apron.

[floppymoose]

Watch on YouTube

[KembaWalker]

its so funny to me that Josh carved out this career path that he's had as some competitive guru because his chess reputation was the total opposite, rich NY kid with every advantage that still came up short every time. he's a great BSer though