The Boston Celtics were the oddsmakers’ favorite to go to the NBA Finals out of the Eastern Conference at the beginning of the season.
They had the talent, the depth, and the experience to go the distance.
However, coaching can go a long way, and Joe Mazzulla has proven that he wasn’t ready to take such a big leap forward in his coaching career.
With that in mind, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst recently reported that he wouldn’t be shocked to see the Celtics go in a different direction in the offseason.
.@WindhorstESPN isn't shutting down the idea of the Celtics moving on from Joe Mazzulla 😳
"When you have a collapse like this … It's dangerous. … I can no longer say that I don't think it's possible that [the Celtics] would make a change [at head coach]." pic.twitter.com/MYpXLvvEfP
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 22, 2023
Windhorst pointed out that Brad Stevens had the utmost confidence in Mazzulla, and he wouldn’t have let him go if they had lost against the Philadelphia 76ers.
But given how poorly he’s looked in the Eastern Conference Finals and how much he’s actively taken the blame for his team’s shortcomings, it would be tough to make a case for him to stay with the team.
Windhorst also pointed out the fact that the Celtics have had three different coaches in the past three seasons, and continuity obviously matters in this league.
Stevens reached his ceiling with this group.
They were perennial contenders, but they needed something different to get over the hump.
Ime Udoka held them accountable and kept them focused throughout the season and the playoffs, and that’s what’s been missing this season under Mazzulla.
Things don’t look well for the franchise right now, and the players’ body language has been worrisome, so don’t be shocked if there’s a new coaching vacancy next week.
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