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Celtics name Joe Mazzulla the 19th head coach…Was it the right move by Boston? | First Take
Celtics name Joe Mazzulla the 19th head coach…Was it the right move by Boston? | First Take Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams react to the breaking news that the Boston Celtics have named Joe Mazzulla the franchise’s 19th head coach. #ESPN #NBA #FirstTake ☑️ Subscribe to ESPN+: 📱Get the ESPN App: 🏀 Subscribe to…
Justin Ledvina
February 16, 2023 at 11:54 am
I feel the Celtics are better under Coach Mazz but time will tell. Playoffs are a different beast.
Devin Berry
February 17, 2023 at 12:59 am
@Kade who is going to eliminate them? The only other team that really is even competitive in the Bucks and the Celtics bench just took them OT the other night.
Kade
February 17, 2023 at 1:07 am
@Devin Berry Healthy Bucks in 7, Celtics still haven’t beaten the Cavs in regular season but I give Boston the edge on that one. 76ers could possibly beat Boston as well, if Embiid, Harden, Maxey step up, but Boston would most likely win against that team that never gets past the second round. To be honest the scariest team for Boston is a healthy Milwaukee Bucks team who WILL take it to game 7 assuming all players are healthy. Bucks in 7 is my prediction.
Devin Berry
February 17, 2023 at 1:28 am
@Kade The Celtics haven’t been healthy all season and are 1-1 against the Bucks, 2-0 against the 76ers and while 0-2 against the Cavs the Celtics weren’t healthy.
The Boston starting 5 from last year had played a total of 29 minutes together this ENTIRE SEASON. Rob missed a ton of games, Smart missed like two weeks, Brown has missed games, Horford doesn’t play back to backs.
I’d argue the Celtics without all 5 of their starting 5 playing taking the Bucks to OT is a pretty good sign they are the very least make it to the ECF. I agree the Bucks will be a good matchup but acting like it’s impossible they make the finals again is ridiculous when you look at their record vs other contenders.
Kade
February 17, 2023 at 1:54 am
@Devin Berry we will see Devin Booker. Just come back to this comment when Bucks win the series
Devin Berry
February 17, 2023 at 1:58 am
@Kade I’m not saying that’s not possible, I’m saying to say it’s impossible or even unlikely the Celtics make it back is just silly
Dacien Lewis
February 16, 2023 at 12:38 pm
I miss ime
Panic at the disco
February 16, 2023 at 1:19 pm
I will miss him too but joe earned it
Rashea White
February 16, 2023 at 12:51 pm
This man continues to lead this team in wins. Give this man respect. You DO NOT have to be a known name to know how to WIN!✊🏾💯 I do not like narrow mindedness. GOOD COACH!😊💯
MorenoDonavin
February 16, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Brad Stevens knows what he’s doing. He knows the team better then anybody so if he thinks Joe is the guy then Joe is the guy.
Kenji Gonzales
February 16, 2023 at 3:29 pm
1000% Agree
a1wrekz
February 16, 2023 at 3:51 pm
In Brad we trust
Anthony Yusef
February 16, 2023 at 10:52 pm
In Brad the GM I trust
Jayson Tatum
February 17, 2023 at 1:49 pm
No, you dont understand, the media arent 100 percent sure he can work, so maybe this was a bad decision after all…🤦
Hugo Fürst
February 16, 2023 at 12:56 pm
depends on if the owners wife thinks he hot or not 😛
Heisenberg
February 16, 2023 at 1:36 pm
😳
Michael Hession
February 16, 2023 at 1:05 pm
It depends on the playoffs. Milwaukee is certainly out for blood come May, and it’ll be interesting to see what happens if there is a rematch in the ECF.
philip badiz
February 16, 2023 at 7:38 pm
wouldn’t be a rematch… both the recent Bucks encounters in the playoffs were in the semis: one win, one loss. 85 or 86 was the last time Cs and Bucks mix it up in the ECF.
Fent
February 17, 2023 at 10:41 pm
@philip badiz lol it doesn’t have to be the same round for it to be a rematch.
Fent
February 17, 2023 at 10:50 pm
People think Boston and Milwaukee’s as a series is closer than it is for two reasons, one of them being fair, and the other being a false perception:
1, is Giannis. And it’s fair. He’s the best player in the league.
2, is the common trope you’ve seen all year since Boston beat Milwaukee last year: “Giannis took Boston to 7 games without Middleton!!!”
This is technically true, but it’s disingenuous. In that theoretical point, it’s easy to say that then think if Middleton is healthy they win. BUT….that was legitimately might have been the most lopsided 7 game series in NBA history. Every single Boston win was a blowout, and 2 out of the 3 wins for Milwaukee came down to 1-2 plays in the final minute. The Celtics outscored Milwaukee in that series by 55!!! points. That’s substantial.
I just think Boston does a great job on Giannis as well. He always puts up monster numbers against them due to sheer volume, which tricks the causal fan, but almost always has a >45 FG% which is bad considering he’s mostly taking layups.
Combine that with the fact the Celtics can go 5 out with Horford and Grant Williams (Robert Williams isn’t a good fit in this series and will likely only play non-Brook Lopez minutes for the most part) and completely counter Milwaukees main strength on defense with Giannis and Brook – packing the paint and giving up 3s. That won’t work when Boston goes 5 out with 5 shooters.
Plus, in the playoffs, Milwaukee isn’t a strong half court offense. So if Boston takes away transition, and shoots well in the series I think most people will be shocked with how easily Boston handles Milwaukee this year (if they even play each other)
Heisenberg
February 16, 2023 at 1:39 pm
This is a BIG MISTAKE! I have been Studying Coach Mazulla. Before it is all said and done,His “Real Personality” is going to come out, it his Actions are going to make WHATEVER Ime Udoka did, look like Child’s Play. Stay Tuned….
Heisenberg
February 17, 2023 at 7:59 am
@Vinsmoke Tatum No, Joe Mazulla needs help. Let me tell you something. When IT happens, I want my Apology from you.
Vinsmoke Tatum
February 17, 2023 at 9:54 am
@Heisenberg you’re living in negativity man. Help yourself
Heisenberg
February 17, 2023 at 10:52 am
@Vinsmoke Tatum I live in Reality. Stay Tuned!
Vinsmoke Tatum
February 17, 2023 at 5:30 pm
@Heisenberg i feel sorry for you lol
Heisenberg
February 17, 2023 at 9:55 pm
@Vinsmoke Tatum Feel sorry for Joe; it’s coming…
thekingbradable
February 16, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Yes it was. Ain’t nothing to debate.
C.J.
February 16, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Let’s see what kind of dirt Malika can bring up about him. 😂
J Mac
February 16, 2023 at 2:28 pm
We should have waited until after the playoffs
Devin Berry
February 17, 2023 at 12:57 am
Why? Ime wasn’t coming back regardless.
If Joe doesn’t work out fire him and either give the job to Damon Stoudamire or someone else. Ime was never an option, even if the team wanted him back he wasn’t going to come back. May as well make it official and worst case scenario you fire Joe and replace him next off season.
Roberto Torres
February 16, 2023 at 2:33 pm
It don’t matter it’s about time he should’ve been the head coach right away. Let’s forget the past and move on to become Celtics 18 championship.
Carlos Martinezz
February 16, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The only thing Mazzula is questionable is timeouts and play offs. Say what you want about Ime but he laid the foundation for unselfish basketball and defence.
Chris Wright
February 17, 2023 at 9:00 am
Exactly that’s what I’m sadly missing last year blowing everyone backs out
Robin
February 16, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Congrats to Joe! His bench was impressive against the Bucks the other night. Most winning team this season. Well deserved honor.
BigClampYT
February 16, 2023 at 4:06 pm
C’s should’ve waited until after the playoffs. No reason to make this big decision during the season.
Dukes Verrill
February 16, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Nice take, SAS
Dylan Albuquerque
February 16, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Ime is down bad lol
anthony fernandez
February 16, 2023 at 5:08 pm
As a Celtics fan big congrats on joe for becoming the 19th head coach 👏🏼👏🏼💪🏽 he deserves it this year
Omegadrizzy757
February 16, 2023 at 5:26 pm
should’ve waited after the season but I kinda wish it was DAMON THOUGH
Devin Berry
February 17, 2023 at 12:58 am
It still can be. If Joe underperforms they can fire him or demote him. Just because he is getting an extension doesn’t mean that’s off the table it just means they likely reached a settlement with Ime or the woman.
JoE ForD
February 16, 2023 at 6:14 pm
Some lawyers in Boston said that an employee who got that kind of punishment is a red flag for legal issues, especially criminal acts. I really love Ime’s touch to push the Cs but I just hope it’s not true that he might be facing criminal charges due to the affair.
Ryan Waidalowski
February 16, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Congratulations to Joe, He has done a great job so far and I think by having him as the head coach it just solidifies going forward which is what we need to do we have a great team who can do great things very good coach.The Celtics are playing good ball right now let’s do this
Raheem George
February 16, 2023 at 8:48 pm
We still winning glad they gave it Brad because Dumb Danny Ainge had me mad
Raheem George
February 16, 2023 at 9:27 pm
First of all people completely ignorant and stupid they think Brad supposed to go into playoffs without a permanent head coach plus he winning better than last year
Renato Tabudlong
February 17, 2023 at 12:31 am
Please 🙏 select Kai Sotto
Because proud Filipino
Renato Tabudlong
February 17, 2023 at 12:35 am
For God Country and families
General Douglas Macarthur Commander USAFE vision USA
Give me Filipino Soldiers and I will give the world for you..
President Jack F. Kennedy
Don’t ask the Government what can do for you but rather opposite ask what you can do to the government..
JFK vision
DFTA (Don't Feed The Animals)
February 17, 2023 at 7:06 pm
I think Ime Udoka is a great coach, but I don’t think he is the main reason they made the finals. They were already ascending each year and it was a natural next step. He didn’t hurt, and probably helped, but he didn’t create the opportunity all by himself. I think Mazzulla will be fine in the post season with the team the organization has built up.