The Boston Celtics did more than bring another title to Massachusetts—they delivered a championship to all of New England. Outside of the half of Connecticut that considers itself a part of New York, all five states got to enjoy the guys in green bring home Banner 18. And Joe Mazzulla’s home state of Rhode Island is particularly grateful.
Mazzulla visited Rhode Island on Tuesday, hauling the Larry O’Brien with him. He gave a speech at the state house and took some photos with fans, one of whom was wearing a No. 11 Celtics jersey.
Joe Mazzulla checks fan's jersey for Payton Pritchard vs. Joe Mazzulla
As the fan stepped up for a picture, Mazzulla hilariously checked the back of his jersey. Luckily for the fan, it seems as though he was donning the correct player’s threads.
Right now, Payton Pritchard wears No. 11 for the Celtics. However, the most popular No. 11 among current Celtics jersey owners is probably still Kyrie Irving (even though most fans aren’t too fond of him anymore).
I’m cracking up at Joe Mazzulla checking what name is on the back of this kid’s #11 Celtics jersey https://t.co/zQnMA0GYgj pic.twitter.com/V3Nyt3UUmP
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) September 3, 2024
So, when the kid waltzed up with an 11 on his back, Mazzulla had to make sure he was repping the right guy. Luckily, it was confirmed that it was a Pritchard jersey.
More importantly than his funny interaction, the day was a memorable one for Mazzulla. (H/t Edward Fitzpatrick of The Boston Globe)
“To get back to the foundation of who I am, and where I’m from, has been one of the greatest gifts that I’ve gotten,” Mazzulla said to a crowd of Celtics fans who gathered outside the State House. “So thank you to everyone.”
Rhode Island is where Mazzulla fell in love with basketball, and going back as a champion was a dream come true.
“It’s been really cool coming back with my wife, with my kids,” Mazzulla said, “just constantly running into people that gave me a ride, that bought me lunch, that babysat me, that came to my games, that supported me when I was in CYO or when I was in high school, who knew my father, who knew my family.”
Now, he’ll head into next season in hopes of adding a second ring to his resume and, in turn, earning another chance to bring another trophy to Rhode Island.