Joe Mazzulla goes viral for unusual callout of ex-Celtics coach

Dec 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla watches from the sideline as they take on the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla on Friday stayed true to his reputation as the most locked-in coach in the NBA.

Mazzulla spoke to reporters ahead of the Celtics’ Saturday home game against the Toronto Raptors. He spoke openly about avoiding friendly interactions with opposing coaches, believing it could give them a “psychological” edge.

The 36-year-old coach pointed to a recent interaction with former Celtics assistant Charles Lee, who left Mazzulla’s staff in the offseason to join the Charlotte Hornets. With a straight face, Mazzulla explained how Lee managed to weaponize a simple hug in the locker room.

“I told Charles [Lee], when he left, ‘I’m not talking to you during the season. I’m not waving to you during the national anthem, I’m just not doing that.’ … So he breached NBA rules and came into the assistant coach’s locker room and forced me to give him a hug. That could easily be a psychological tell that knocks you off your game competitively. So he knew what he was doing.”

When asked if the hug was at least “nice” for Mazzulla, he sternly answered, “No.”

Mazzulla: “I told Charles when he left, ‘I’m not talking to you during the season. I’m not waving to you at the national anthem. I’m not doing that. You’re an enemy.’

“So he breached NBA rules and came into the assistant coach locker room and forced me to give him a hug. That… https://t.co/96iZHTy4j1

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) November 15, 2024

The scrum of reporters laughed while Mazzulla told his story. But the Celtics coach did not even let out a smirk to suggest he was joking in the slightest.

Where Mazzulla ranks among the NBA’s best active coaches remains up for debate. But what isn’t is Mazzulla’s place as the most quotable coach in the association.

Mazzulla’s mindset obviously works given the championship ring already in his trophy cabinet. Look no further than his off-kilter message to Jayson Tatum in the offseason that has already seemed to pay dividends for the Celtics early in the year.