Joe Mazzulla shares what he needs to see from Hugo Gonzalez at training camp

Hugo Gonzalez has a burning desire to become his best self. The last thing he wants is to look back on his career with regret. One of the most difficult challenges he'll face is the one he's dealing with now.

Gonzalez is adapting to a new country. He is also acclimating to playing basketball at the highest level. He's getting indoctrinated into a dramatically different style of play than what he experienced with Real Madrid in the ACB.

The six-foot-six wing got molded in a methodical offense predicated on constant cutting and waiting patiently for the best shot to present itself. The Boston Celtics' emphasis on operating at a faster pace adds to the contrast in styles.

On the heels of the final practice of his first week at training camp, Joe Mazzulla told Hardwood Houdini how it went for Gonzalez and what constitutes a successful training camp for him.

"He's been good so far," shared the Celtics' head coach. "Just like everybody else, executing our coverages defensively, executing our communication, making the right play on the offensive end, understanding the game, but also understanding how we want to play on both ends. He's doing everything he's asked of so far. He just has to continue to get better."

Joe Mazzulla's relationship with Hugo Gonzalez

At media day at the Auerbach Center, Celtics newcomer Josh Minott praised his new bench boss for the effort he puts into getting to know his players.

"He's inspiring, truthfully," said the former Minnesota Timberwolves wing. "A little bit of a weirdo. He's a great dude, though, man...Just from a month-and-a-half of knowing him, I feel like I'd run through a wall for him."

The three-year veteran also expressed his appreciation that Mazzulla doesn't talk to any two individuals as if they're the same person. Instead, he respects their individuality.

"He doesn't talk to any two people the same way," shared Minott. "It's a blessing to be able to play for him."

Saturday at the Auerbach Center, Gonzalez conveyed a similar sentiment.

"Close, close," said the Madrid native about his relationship with Mazzulla. "I think we've been talking more about other things than basketball. And then, when he's on the court, [he's] a super energetic coach. He's always trying to have 100 percent of his players and trying to have 100 percent of especially effort in every play. One hundred percent concentration."

The first part of Gonzalez's answer regarding his head coach's effort to build a relationship with him beyond the player-coach dynamic highlights the bedrock of how he cultivates connections that instill buy-in. It's a genuine approach that shows his players he cares about them as people. The trust that breeds is how Mazzulla creates bonds that enable him to help pull out the most from those on the Celtics' roster.