Celtics are doing everything to make one of the worst possible enemies

“Illegal screen.”

That was the answer that Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave to all six questions from reporters at Monday’s press conference following his team’s 108-106 loss to the league-worst Indiana Pacers.

Mazzulla’s repetitive retort came in response to the non-call on Indiana’s final possession of the night, which ended with a Pascal Siakam game-winner. Early in the Pacers’ action, Siakam set a screen on Derrick White, knocking White to the ground as he extended his hip outside of the width of his shoulders.

White sprang right back to his feet and got back into position to guard Siakam, who just made a tough shot. Yes, the shot attempt would’ve never happened if the whistle had been blown, but the Celtics still had ample opportunity to recover from the screen.

Mazzulla’s decision to bring attention to the officiating did just that. My feeble basketball mind was too busy watching the ball in the moment to have noticed. Now I’m writing an article about the press conference.

Well done, Joe.

His intentional series of non-answers comes just two days after Jaylen Brown ripped referees following Boston’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Celtics shot just four free throws in that game to the Spurs’ 20.

It wasn’t for the lack of trying. Brown and his teammates worked to get to the rim, and didn’t feel like they were rewarded enough for their troubles. Granted, when playing against seven-foot-five-inch Victor Wembanyama, it inherently becomes more difficult to convert inside.

Here’s his full rant, via CLNS Media:

“I feel like, honestly, they just got away with a lot, and I'm tired of the inconsistency. I'll accept the fine at this point. I thought it was some bu------ tonight. I thought that, I think they're a good defensive team, but they ain't that damn good. I thought they, and I hope somebody can just pull up the clips, because it's the same sh-- every time we play a good team. It's like they refuse to make a call, then call touch fouls on the other end, and that's just extremely frustrating, bro. We play hard. We are outplaying our expectations, we compete hard on the defensive end, and then they reward the other team with touch fouls. And we go down there, and guys are allowed to get away with - I hope, just somebody, please pull it up. Every time we play a good team, the inconsistency is crazy. I'll take the fu----- fine, Curtis, all them dudes, was terrible tonight. I don't care.

“They can fine me whatever they want. But it's crazy. Every time we play a good team, it's the same bu------. Somebody please pull up the clips. I'm irate how they officiated the game today. If we can't get to the free throw line and teams are allowed to be physical and bump us off our spots and etc, then it's hard to win games like that. We shot four free throws tonight and lost the game by four. Not to say that's the whole game, the whole story. We got to be better in spots. I got to be better in spots. But goddamn. I'm driving to the basket, I'm physical, I don't flop, I don't shy away from contact, I go up strong, I'm athletic, and nothing. Had zero free throws tonight. The inconsistency is fu----- crazy. Give me the fine.”

They did, in fact, give Brown the fine.

Blaming officiating gets tired after a while

In theory, speaking out against their lack of calls seems like a decent idea for the Celtics. Bring attention to it, and hold the refs accountable, right?

It sort of worked earlier this season. Brown was outspoken about his less-than-favorable whistle through Boston’s first 10 games or so, then started getting to the free-throw line more.

That’s great. I hope it goes this way again.

There’s also a layer to this where the pool of NBA referees is a prideful, petty bunch. These guys do not like being called out. Who’s to say that they won’t grow tired of the Cs’ consistent cries for more calls?

Even with the legitimate gripes Boston has had in these last two games, they were still right there. Amending any number of self-inflicted mistakes throughout the course of either contest probably earns them a win.

Yeah, Siakam got away with an illegal screen at the end of Monday’s loss. The Celtics also went scoreless for the first four and a half minutes of the third quarter. They totaled just 19 points in the fourth quarter. There are plenty of things that they could look at in the film room to get better, and there’s no doubt in my mind that they went and did that.

It just feels like it’s becoming part of this team’s identity a bit to go to the podium when things don’t go well and place the blame on the officials. Right or wrong, there are better ways to handle it.