Like every new head coach in NBA history, Joe Mazzulla has their first game in that role to get out of the way with the Boston Celtics. And in about an hour, that challenge will have been engaged for better or for worse. But in order to manage the potentially monumental task of running an NBA team in a regular season game against a good opponent without letting himself get overwhelmed, Mazzulla has a plan.
“I focus on the information, on what’s most important, on the facts of what’s going on, and how we can execute that,” he explained ahead of Boston’s season opener with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. That the game is one of two this season honoring Celtics icon Bill Russell might pile on the pressure even higher for some, but for Mazzulla.
“You have to embrace all that, especially with Bill Russell’s ceremony,” he explained. “He means more than basketball. I think he’s a legacy on the court, (and) there’s a legacy off the court for what he fought for and how he represented the Celtics.”
PHOTOS: 2022-23 Boston Celtics Core Court inspired by Bill Russell’s life and legacy https://t.co/WfBZasRGN5
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 18, 2022
“I think that’s the thing to focus on the most is, everybody in our organization is trying to impact the Celtics and impact the community the way that he did, and so that’s how we can focus on that.”
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