NBA.com recently published its annual survey of the league's general managers. The results included praise for Joe Mazzulla. The Boston Celtics' bench boss got named one of the Association's best managers/motivators of people.
They also cited him as one of the top head coaches in terms of defensive schemes. Another nod for the team's coaching staff was Sam Cassell getting named among the top assistant coaches. He placed fourth in that category, tying him with Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat.
Micah Norri of the Minnesota Timberwolves earned the most votes. Former Celtics assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, now a crucial figure on Tyronn Lue's staff with the Los Angeles Clippers, garnered the second most. Royal Ivey of Ime Udoka's Houston Rockets ranked third in this survey of the NBA's GMs -- or whoever filled it out on their behalf.
The league's general managers also shared their outlook for the Celtics in the upcoming campaign. While they project the Cleveland Cavaliers to finish the regular season atop the Eastern Conference, they have Boston finishing in eighth.
That would place the Celtics in the play-in tournament. A trajectory like that might dissuade the team from bringing back Jayson Tatum before the tail end of the season.
NBA GMs' most surprising Celtics sentiment
Perhaps the most surprising Celtics component to this survey was that TD Garden got listed outside of the top-three home court advantages in the Association.
The Denver Nuggets tied the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in that category. Boston boasts a building that many tout as the loudest in the league. There's certainly a strong case for the Paycom Center, where the Thunder play. The same goes for Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks placed third in this section of the survey.
Ball Arena in Denver often deals with Celtics, Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers fans packing the stadium and making their presence felt when the Nuggets are hosting any member of that trio. While it's certainly a loud venue in support of the home team, tying Oklahoma City in this category likely speaks to another significant factor: playing at altitude.
On another note, Boston breaking up its core was among the most surprising moves of the offseason, according to the survey. The Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. They also saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet depart in free agency.
Just as the franchise had the flexibility to acquire that quarter and strike a trade-deadline deal for Derrick White, they're aiming to reposition themselves to be aggressive. The hope and belief is that it will coincide with Jayson Tatum being able to help lead them back into title contention.