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Joe Mazzulla Thread, Head Coach

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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#261 » by threrf23 » Thu Nov 24, 2022 7:33 pm

IIRC Phil Jackson coached similarly, didn't call timeouts b/c he wanted his team to work on playing through the down stretches.

Here's one source.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Michael Pina, Kerr said that his mentality with regards to calling timeouts is derived from his former coach, Phil Jackson.

“It’s good for a team to get itself out of a ditch instead of relying on a timeout and grumbling at each other. Let’s communicate, get all five guys [working] together and execute a play. And if they can do that on their own, it’s very empowering.”


https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-steve-kerr-subscribes-to-phil-jacksons-philosophy-about-calling-timeouts

Pop is more the opposite.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich can be a mystery at times, but one thing is fore sure: in his world, it’s never too early to call a timeout. Spurs fans know just as well as his players that if the opening possession is botched too badly, an angry Pop timeout is coming. In fact, according to ESPN’s Stats & Info group, Pop has called 50 percent more timeouts inside the first two minutes of a game (30) than anyone else since 2009, and some teams have never even called one.


https://www.poundingtherock.com/2018/3/19/17140414/gregg-popovich-and-the-art-of-early-timeouts

There is probably a good middle ground where coach calls a timeout, but doesn't talk to the players during the timeout, lets them hash things out on their own.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#262 » by darrendaye » Thu Nov 24, 2022 7:42 pm

threrf23 wrote:IIRC Phil Jackson coached similarly, didn't call timeouts b/c he wanted his team to work on playing through the down stretches.

Here's one source.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Michael Pina, Kerr said that his mentality with regards to calling timeouts is derived from his former coach, Phil Jackson.

“It’s good for a team to get itself out of a ditch instead of relying on a timeout and grumbling at each other. Let’s communicate, get all five guys [working] together and execute a play. And if they can do that on their own, it’s very empowering.”


https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-steve-kerr-subscribes-to-phil-jacksons-philosophy-about-calling-timeouts

Pop is more the opposite.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich can be a mystery at times, but one thing is fore sure: in his world, it’s never too early to call a timeout. Spurs fans know just as well as his players that if the opening possession is botched too badly, an angry Pop timeout is coming. In fact, according to ESPN’s Stats & Info group, Pop has called 50 percent more timeouts inside the first two minutes of a game (30) than anyone else since 2009, and some teams have never even called one.


https://www.poundingtherock.com/2018/3/19/17140414/gregg-popovich-and-the-art-of-early-timeouts

There is probably a good middle ground where coach calls a timeout, but doesn't talk to the players during the timeout, lets them hash things out on their own.


You could also adopt both philosophies as they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Quick timeout trigger at start of game and start of half, slow trigger during runs.

EDITED to ADD: In a way, it probably comports with some of my strategy of raising my kids, lol.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#263 » by Fencer reregistered » Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:10 pm

There are certain ways in which coaches commonly criticize themselves. But this kind of Xs and Os specificity is somewhat rare.
When you switch for the majority of the game, you maintain that same rhythm. I have to do a better job as a coach of changing up the rhythm of our defense if we want to switch as much as we do.


https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2022/11/26/celtics-kings-takeaways-payton-pritchard/
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#264 » by Hal14 » Sat Nov 26, 2022 4:04 pm

Fencer reregistered wrote:There are certain ways in which coaches commonly criticize themselves. But this kind of Xs and Os specificity is somewhat rare.
When you switch for the majority of the game, you maintain that same rhythm. I have to do a better job as a coach of changing up the rhythm of our defense if we want to switch as much as we do.


https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2022/11/26/celtics-kings-takeaways-payton-pritchard/

Something Udoka got criticized for last season was never putting any of the blame on himself - usually blaming the players, often times singling out certain players in the media so this is refreshing to see from Mazzulla. He seems like a more humble dude than Udoka.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#265 » by zoyathedestroya » Sat Nov 26, 2022 4:44 pm

Coaches who won title their rookie season the past 50 years (first 20 games):
• Paul Westhead: 13-7
• Pat Riley: 17-3
• Steve Kerr: 18-2
• Tyronn Lue: 14-6
• Nick Nurse: 16-4
• Joe Mazzulla: ??-??
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#266 » by lon3lytoaster » Sat Nov 26, 2022 5:38 pm

I’m a little scared about consistency on defense and the time out thing but Joe’s in game rotation adjustments are excellent. Loved him sitting Grant last night, and playing Pritchard a bit more when Brogdon and white weren’t on.

That’s really his super power compared to Ime.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#267 » by darrendaye » Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:14 pm

From a chemistry standpoint, I'm going to be observant of Grant Williams. How Mazzulla and staff handle his growing number of tirades, combined with any tolerance of Tatum and Smart continuing to exhibit these trends too, seems the primary risk here. Grant and Smart are the team's main "make them feel you" guys on defense. With the toll that takes, I always want to make sure there is some reward on offense with a concerted effort to give them touches.

Among perhaps other reasons, Hauser is probably given a higher priority to get shots because as well as he plays defensively, I'd still say he's the "that's why he's out there" guy. Grant is still needed more as a defender than he is as a shooter/scorer. That dynamic should be understood and Grant's ego managed. And obviously he has self-interest to look out for with it being a contract year. Surely not a criticism of Grant, it's human nature. And a test for Mazzulla.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#268 » by MagicBagley18 » Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:44 pm

Joe was thrown into an extremely tough position and to his credit he’s done about as perfect a job as you can in this situation. Better than I even thought he could. It’s clear he has a very bright strategic basketball mind and a High basketball IQ and nice future in the league.

I’m still waiting to see how he handles certain adversities and with more time what type of coach he is in terms of handling personality’s etc. i can’t say he’s this way because it’s too small a sample but I worry he’s like brad- in terms of being confrontational or calling players out. Not necessarily a knock on him as brad was an amazing coach and mazzulla looks very promising but it’s something for me to watch and worry he lacks that ability.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#269 » by zoyathedestroya » Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:13 am

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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#270 » by zoyathedestroya » Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:02 pm

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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#271 » by bisme37 » Thu Dec 1, 2022 7:22 pm

Just hit me that Joe is probably Coach of the Year at this point.

Wish we could remove that stupid interim tag. He's not going anywhere.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#272 » by 31to6 » Thu Dec 1, 2022 7:29 pm

bisme37 wrote:Just hit me that Joe is probably Coach of the Year at this point.

Wish we could remove that stupid interim tag. He's not going anywhere.


he's got Interim Coach of the Year on lock;)

remember when Ime was going to coach the Nets? I wonder when his next phone call comes, and if they'll wait for resolution with Ime before installing Joe officially/permanently as HC. I would guess -- just based on the type of guy Brad seems to be, at least -- that they will wait for that.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#273 » by BRUNiNHO91 » Thu Dec 1, 2022 10:07 pm

Coach of the month.

Congrats. 18-4 is 18-4, no way around it. Seems like a good guy, so I’m happy for him.. but I don’t like a lot of what he does. Our defense has fallen so much.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#274 » by zoyathedestroya » Thu Dec 1, 2022 10:12 pm

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Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Month for October/November 

Post#275 » by zoyathedestroya » Thu Dec 1, 2022 10:18 pm

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**** it. This deserved its own thread. After the Ime fiasco and the uncertainty of installing a new young coach, this accomplishment is something to celebrate. Pay homage to Mazzulla Ball.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Month for October/November 

Post#276 » by bisme37 » Thu Dec 1, 2022 10:24 pm

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Re: Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Month for October/November 

Post#277 » by zoyathedestroya » Thu Dec 1, 2022 10:30 pm

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Rookie coaches usually don't do this in their first month. I think Nick Nurse did it in November 2018.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#278 » by SuperDeluxe » Thu Dec 1, 2022 10:31 pm

BRUNiNHO91 wrote:Coach of the month.

Congrats. 18-4 is 18-4, no way around it. Seems like a good guy, so I’m happy for him.. but I don’t like a lot of what he does. Our defense has fallen so much.

He did say from the very beginning that his first point of focus would be the team's offense, and that's what seems to be happening. This group already knows how to defend, so they'll turn it on in due time (maybe after Timelord returns?). No need to win all the games by 30 anyway, let's save some defensive energy for the playoffs.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Celtics Interim Head Coach (2022-23) 

Post#279 » by ThumbsUpBaby » Fri Dec 2, 2022 1:09 am

BRUNiNHO91 wrote:Coach of the month.

Congrats. 18-4 is 18-4, no way around it. Seems like a good guy, so I’m happy for him.. but I don’t like a lot of what he does. Our defense has fallen so much.


Mazzula has been getting the guys to learn Mazzula ball which is probably going to take a lot of time since it's so complex. And the guys are buying in and responding well to it.

I don't know how anyone can hate what Mazzula is doing with this team. This is the most beautiful basketball I've witnessed thus far when it comes to the Celtics. Our guys know how to play top tier defense, and that'll probably be the focus after they finally figure everything out with what Mazzula is envisioning. Why exert energy on both ends when what they're doing is working? The only issue with him is that he takes a while to take guys out or calling a TO, but even that is fixable.

Mazzula isn't stupid. Defense will come back, so we should just be patient. Right now, the guys are having fun, and we're having extra fun watching them play.
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Re: Joe Mazzulla Thread – Wins Coach of the Month Oct/Nov 2022 

Post#280 » by _Und3r][D4wg_ » Fri Dec 2, 2022 2:20 am

Great results from the youngest guy dramatically thrust into the hot seat. Granted he inherited an already stacked roster with familiarity & continuity already assured, but Joe still had to steer the ship and make sure the team was focused on the lighthouse and not so much on the rough seas.

Although he clearly benefited from some of the messy groundwork his predecessor had to tackle last season, Joe has quickly made his mark on the team's offensive identity. I do wish to see sharper defensive focus and improved game-flow management, as well as quicker in-game adjustments and willingness to mix-it up (including depth utilization) when things clearly aren't working.

I suppose our league-leading record might imply I'm just nitpicking, but I still think attention to the points above can be given without sacrificing much from the historic gains made in our offense. We don't really want to wait until late into the postseason before undertaking next-level improvements... Championship habits are formed in the regular season.

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