NBA coaches have fielded questions from the media, from the mundane to the absurd, especially under the bright lights of the NBA Finals. For one moment in the pre-Game 1 media availability, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla mustered to take a page out of Gregg Popovich’s book when responding to a question on his team’s approach to winning under the bright lights of the big stage.
The Celtics are in their second NBA Finals appearance in three seasons, defeating their foes in the first three rounds in five games or less. They are coming off an extended layoff after defeating the Indiana Pacers in a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Joe Mazzulla goes full Gregg Popovich in question over Celtics’ execution under “bright lights” of NBA Finals
When asked by John Karalis of the Boston Sports Journal on how the Celtics would stay in the moment and execute under the bright lights of the Finals, Joe Mazzulla took a page from a legendary coach who’s no stranger in fielding multitudes of questions from sports media covering the games.
“Unless they change the lightbulbs in the arenas, it won’t be any brighter than they were in the last series,” Mazzulla said in a deadpan manner in jest, reminiscent of Gregg Popovich’s answers during press conferences.
Mazzulla then turned serious, saying the Celtics need to focus on the details that matter to succeed and win.
“It’s just sticking to the details and things that matter. Truth of the matter is if you don’t box out, if you don’t sprint back in transition, if you don’t pass the ball on a two-on-one, if you don’t take away the other team’s tendencies, if you don’t know who you’re guarding, if you don’t recognize the spacing, if you don’t talk, if you don’t play hard you’re not going to win,” he said.
“It’s like focusing on the most simple things and…the truth of the matter is you have to do those things. You got to do them on a high level and…obviously the stakes are higher. That just means the details are more important.”
“I mean, unless they changed the lightbulbs in the arena they won’t be any brighter than they were last series… The stakes are higher, but that just means the details are more important.”
Joe Mazzulla on the Celtics’ mindset coming into the NBA Finals 🗣️
(via @danield1214) pic.twitter.com/14uEqAkQ0d
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 5, 2024
Celtics to get big man Porzingis back for Game 1
The Celtics will get back big man Kristaps Porzingis in the fold for Game 1 at home in Boston, barring an unforeseen setback. Porzingis has been nursing a calf injury and has not played since April 29.
Prior to the revelation, Porzingis has been engaged in scrimmages leading to the potential return to the lineup.
Joe Mazzulla previously spoke about the development, saying Porzingis was close to an on-court return in the Finals.
“He’s getting better. He’s out there shooting. Went through a couple of drills in practice,” Mazzulla said. “So progressing well and I’m confident on where he’s at right now.”
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