Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has attempted to play down the pressure on the NBA champions as they begin the defense of their crown by stating: “We’re all going to be dead soon, and it really doesn’t matter anymore.”
The Celtics start the season as overwhelming favorites to win it again after retaining the bulk of their roster, including their entire starting line-up.
They open their campaign tonight against the New York Knicks but Mazzulla was in a flippant mood when asked about a repeat.
He said: “We’re all going to be dead soon, and it really doesn’t matter anymore. So there’s zero pressure. You’re either going to win or you’re not. When you win you try to forget about it a week later, and when you lose you try to forget about it a week later.
“It’s not pressure, it’s an opportunity.
“You have an opportunity to carry the organization forward, to double down on the tradition and history of what this organization has. And what else would you expect than someone expecting you to win all the time? I wouldn’t want someone to expect us to lose all the time.
“We have an expectation to win, we have great character, great talent. We have to work to maximize that.”
Joe Mazzulla explained why he doesn’t feel pressure from the Boston media:
“They don’t have a weapon. They’re not gonna come after me. They’re just saying words.”
“We’re either going to win or we’re not — 40 years from now, none of you are invited to my funeral, and that’s it.” pic.twitter.com/kOZG6UQ83G
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) October 21, 2024
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“None of you are invited to my funeral”
He added to reporters: “It’s not pressure. There’s nothing anyone in this circle can do to me that’s going to impact my identity and who I am as a person or a coach. We’re either going to win or we’re not, and 40 years from now, none of you are invited to my funeral and that’s it.”
It won’t be an easy task first up against a Knicks team that acquired Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges in the offseason.
“I trust who they are”
But Mazzulla has confidence in his players.
“I trust who they are. I think they have an understanding of both ‘this is what we accomplished’ and ‘this is what we’re trying to do,'” he said.
“All the intangibles that go into winning should carry over from one season to another season.
“You have to appreciate it. But you’ve got to know what got you there and if you forget what got you there, you’ll never get back.”
