Can Mazzulla Rework the Celtics’ Game?…
Next season for the Celtics might be as smooth as navigating a herd of cats through a minefield. They’re losing a combined 51 years of experience with Al Horford’s potential departure. Jayson Tatum’s hefty $54 million salary alone feels like it’s breaking the salary-cap piggy bank. Coach Mazzulla, however, is unfazed, focusing instead on his love of jiu-jitsu—because when life gives you basketballs, you practice martial arts! This could be his gap year, a chance to mash basketball with the same moves he uses to metaphorically wrangle an angry octopus.
As the Celtics hit a major roster reset, expect less of the flashy three-point rain and more scrappy weather on the courts. Last summer, Boston’s young guns showed spark by pressing and playing strong defense in the Summer League—turning basketball into what might be the world’s tallest interpretative dance. Under Brad Stevens, the Celtics surprised everyone before, so never rule out some basketball sorcery from Mazzulla. Without Tatum’s gravitational magic, winning might require Mazzulla to summon legendary feats on par with extracting juice from a stone. But hey, miracles have happened before in Boston!
