BOSTON — Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is devoted to sharpening his thoughts and physique. Something that undermines this private dedication can generate weak point, even a easy hug. After a apply Friday morning, Mazzulla informed reporters he was “cordial” with some opposing NBA coaches, however not overly pleasant.
“It is rather necessary to not reveal psychological clues,” he stated.
To show his level, the New England native defined how a gathering with former Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee was supposed to unsettle him.
“I informed Charles when he left, ‘I am not speaking to you in the course of the season.’ I do not salute you in the course of the nationwide anthem. I do not try this. You are an enemy,” Mazzulla recalled. “So he broke NBA guidelines and walked into the assistant coach’s locker room and compelled me to present him a hug. That might simply be a psychological signal that makes you lose your aggressive recreation. He knew what he was doing.
Lee performed an necessary function in Boston’s victorious 2023-24 marketing campaign and the momentum he gained from profitable his second NBA title earned him his first head teaching job with the Charlotte Hornets. His notorious hug with Mazzulla possible came about in early November when the Celtics and Hornets confronted off on back-to-back nights.
“No,” Mazzulla stated bluntly when requested if it felt good to hug Lee.
Regardless of the bond Mazzulla and Lee share in profitable a title collectively, it was all enterprise on the court docket. The C’s received each video games towards the Hornets by a double-digit margin and Lee even acquired his first technical after arguing with the officers. The 2 Jap Convention groups will meet two extra instances this season in April simply earlier than the beginning of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
How are Joe Mazzulla and Charles Lee doing this season?
Heading into his third 12 months as Celtics skipper, Mazzulla has led his workforce to a 10-3 document to begin the 2024-25 common season. Boston was 11-2 in 13 video games final season, so Mazzulla’s males are as soon as once more on monitor to compete for first place within the East. This should not come as a shock, since Boston returned its total beginning 5 and retained most of its teaching workers as well.
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Lee’s Hornets are decrease within the standings, however nobody in Charlotte must be that loopy about their efficiency up to now. At 4-7, the Hornets sit in eleventh place, simply above the struggling Milwaukee Bucks and fewer than a recreation again from a top-eight seed. They’d an identical 3-8 document thus far final season, however then suffered an 11-game dropping streak that lasted most of December, primarily ruining their 2023-24 marketing campaign.
Seven of the Hornets’ 11 opponents have certified for the 2024 NBA Playoffs, partially excusing their mediocre begin. 4 of the Celtics’ 13 opponents had been playoff groups final April, however their schedule is tightening up shortly. In reality, the defending champions will face the 13-0 Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night time at TD Backyard.
Earlier than this extremely anticipated showdown, the Celtics host the Toronto Raptors 2-10 on Saturday night time. As for the Hornets, they’ve a troublesome back-to-back slate with the Bucks and Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon and Sunday night time respectively.
