What Joe Mazzulla's doing off the court to get the most out of the Celtics on it

The Boston Celtics had continuity on their side last season. Fifteen of the seventeen players from their 2024 title team, including those on two-way deals, returned for the chance to repeat. This summer wasn't as kind to them.

After consecutive campaigns over the second apron, the bill came due. The punitive nature of an unforgiving and restrictive collective bargaining agreement forced the Celtics to restructure. Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear further incentivized that.

Dipping below the second apron, Boston saw Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet depart. The roster now features players eager to prove themselves with more responsibility.

That includes newcomers like Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Luka Garza, and first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez. The former is embracing the Celtics' defensive challenge. He's also acclimating to a sixth-man role he could fill often this season.

Minott and Garza left the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency for the opportunity to become rotation regulars and show the league what they're capable of. Gonzalez is at the genesis of his NBA career.

For Mazzulla to maximize his roster on the court, he must build relationships with them off the court. It's a process he takes to heart. One that enables him to push his players to be their best.

Joe Mazzulla and the art of relationship building

On Monday at the Auerbach Center, following practice, the Celtics' bench boss discussed the importance of getting to know and understand each individual. He emphasized that adapting isn't a one-way street. It's a must for both sides.

"I don't want it to become about like, 'Oh, you have to adapt to Joe,'" expressed Mazzulla. "No, we [have] got to work together. We have to adapt together. On how can we come about a process of, like, what it looks like to get the absolute best out of you? And that's what I think a relationship is. And it's a form of love. And love is interpreted [in] many different ways, depending upon what you're trying to do. Love can be graceful, it can be harsh. Love could be a feeling, it could be an action, it could be a bunch of things.

"And so I think it's just coming together on that it's not about: they have to do this because I said so. It's like, no, we have to do this together, because we both agree that this is what gives us the best chance to win. Also, it gives us the best chance for you to get to where you want to get to as an individual player, and you [have] to help us get to where we want to get to as a team. So, it's a constant, ever-flowing, two-sided relationship. It's not my way or the highway."

Mazzulla's words don't ring hollow. The fourth-year head coach attended Chris Boucher's baptism; he went to Utah State with Neemias Queta, and he has been a presence throughout Tatum's rehab. He is there for his players, new and returning, and consistently reinforces that to them.

"Building a relationship off the court. I think that started as soon as I found out I got traded," said Simons after Boston's 138-107 preseason victory vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. "We've been building a great relationship. I know a lot about his family, he knows a lot about mine … It helps on the court when he's trying to hold me accountable and push me to be the best version of myself."

As Simons hit on, it's a group that wants their head coach to push them. Maximizing this opportunity, as individuals and a collective unit, requires being challenged. Knowing Mazzulla has a vested interest in who they are, their goals, and their success, is essential to the player-coach relationship working to achieve that.