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Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Named Coach of the Year Finalist After Calling Award “Stupid”

His stance highlights a team-first culture that credits players and staff over individual honors.

Overview

  • Mazzulla is one of three NBA Coach of the Year finalists with Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff and San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson, the league announced.
  • He previously said the award is "stupid" and asked not to be asked about it, pointing to players on the floor and staff behind the scenes.
  • He explained that he let go of a Division I player sense of entitlement to grow as a husband, father, and coach.
  • Boston won 56 games and secured the East’s No. 2 seed despite Jayson Tatum missing most of the season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles.
  • BetMGM listed Mazzulla as the favorite at the end of the regular season, while Bickerstaff’s Pistons rose to the East’s top seed and Johnson’s Spurs won 62 games.