BOSTON — With the Sacramento Kings in town for some Friday night action against the Boston Celtics, it’s Doug Christie’s first time at TD Garden since replacing Mike Brown as head coach. It’s his first chance as a head coach in the NBA, which is a situation Joe Mazzulla is all too familiar with.
Just two short years ago, Mazzulla was thrown into the fire by the Celtics when they abruptly parted ways with Ime Udoka. He went from a second-row coach to the center-stage man of one of the most historic franchises in sports. So, when he went to the podium for his pre-game press conference, he was asked about what advice he would give to a first-time head coach like Christie and what advice he got when he was in his shoes.
The second leg of his two-pronged response was hilarious.
Joe Mazzulla wants to cut out this bad advice
First, Mazzulla offered some genuine insight. It wasn’t exactly advice, but he said that he was very grateful for the support he got from the Celtics’ front office and ownership.
“The best piece? I don't know. I mean, I would say, more than advice, even when I was an interim, I felt like I had the full support and a true opportunity from ownership in the front office,” Mazzulla said. “And so I think more than advice you're really just looking for a chance.
“And so, even when, from the beginning of that interim period up until All-Star break, I felt like I was given a fair shot. I felt like I was given the right environment [and] everything I needed to be as successful as possible.”
But when Mazzulla moved on to the second part of his supposed advice, he drew some laughs.
“The worst advice that I have, I don't like what people say, ‘Yeah, just be yourself.’ No one really wants that.”
Ever since Mazzulla took over in the lead coaching seat in Boston, he has put an emphasis on being genuine. This absolutely falls under that category. So many people around the NBA want certain things from their coach, so hearing someone say, ‘Just be yourself,’ doesn’t exactly resonate with Mazzulla.
Regardless, there are few players who would give better advice than Mazzulla on the subject of being a first-time head coach. The situation he was thrown into was so volatile and unique that he should be able to help others with theirs.
Add in his brutally honest nature, and it’s a perfect mix.