During the Thursday night matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns, Jaylen Brown scored 37 points, while Jayson Tatum added 26 as Boston became the first team to clinch a spot in the postseason, powering past Phoenix 127-112. Though the court was filled with All-Stars, the main story after the game revolved around a block attempt coming during a timeout where Boston coach Joe Mazzulla rushed from the bench to contest a Royce O’Neale three-point attempt.
Joe Mazzulla Following Team Rules
After the game, when Mazzulla was asked about the block attempt on Royce O’Neale, he spoke simply, saying, “If I’m going to ask guys to contest, the staff’s going to do the same.” Joe Mazzulla noted that he has rules and principles for the Celtics, which apply to the players and coaches. One of those rules is not allowing an opponent to take a practice 3-point shot in front of his bench during a timeout, a break in play, or when the clock stops. Mazzulla proved he practices what he preaches as Joe went on explaining the gamesmanship involved with the rule that applies to the players and all of the staff, saying, “I saw a guy going into trying to get a shot, and he hadn’t made one, and I didn’t want him to feel good about himself going to the bench.”
Joe Mazzulla playing defense 🤣 pic.twitter.com/RAZ8qyI2Gd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 15, 2024
A similar situation happened at the end of January with Sam Cassell and Buddy Hield during a matchup with the Indiana Pacers in Boston. Joe Mazzulla, when asked about the etiquette of the team rule a month ago, was puzzled by the question. “Etiquette?” Mazzulla asked. “This is not a country club.” Buddy Hield fired off a shot attempt after the whistle, prompting Celtics assistant Sam Cassell to race over and try to block it. “The rule is, we’re supposed to go block it,” Mazzulla said. “We’re supposed to block shots when the other team shoots it. That’s the rule.”
"We're supposed to block shots when the other team shoots in our basket."
Joe Mazzulla has surprising response when asked about Buddy Hield taking shots after the whistle, and Sam Cassell getting involved 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/1OUH1ygRgW
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 31, 2024
Mazzulla said back in January that he saw Hield practicing his shooting form in front of the Celtics bench but decided not to go over there as Hield had not taken an actual jump shot while Mazzulla was watching. Mazzulla Thursday night proved what he had said prior that “I would have blocked it myself, but he didn’t shoot it. He was form shooting.”
Media Members React to Mazzulla’s Antics
Kenny Smith & Charles Barkley reacts to Joe Mazzulla attempting to Block Royce O’Neal’s shot.
Charles: “I woulda knocked the hell out of him” 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/KeYkc3srpf
— Good Job, O (@InternationalO) March 15, 2024
Charles Barkley was not a fan of Joe Mazzulla’s rule or of trying to block Royce O’Neale’s shot. After the game, Barkley said, “I would’ve knocked the hell out of him, I’m not gonna lie. I would’ve hit him. I’ll tell you why I don’t like it. What if he stepped on his ankle and hurt himself badly? He can’t do that. Come on, man.”
GoJo can’t believe Joe Mazzulla tried to block Royce O'Neale’s shot after a timeout was called! pic.twitter.com/B1Fga0Zd9P
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) March 15, 2024
Other media outlets and personalities, such as Nick Wright on the First Thing First, said Mazzulla went full “Nick Sirianni,” calling Joe a “silly coach.” The GoJo and Golic show with retired NFL defensive lineman Mike Golic, the former Co-Host of ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike for 17 years, shared similar stances to Barkleys, saying, “This is lunatic behavior, and I can’t sit here and endorse it!”
Celtics Stars Defend Joe Mazzulla
The Boston Celtics players seem used to what some called lunatic behavior by Joe Mazzulla, with Jayson Tatum saying his head coaches contest on Royce O’Neal’s shot that it’s just “Joe being Joe.” The MVP candidate for the first-seeded Boston Celtics said, “That’s who Joe is. When he did that, I wasn’t caught off guard. I expect him, or one of the coaches, to do that. Gotta love Joe for Joe.” Derrick White also weighed in on the Joe Mazzulla shot contest, saying simply, “I liked it, it was a good contest.”
Jayson Tatum said Joe Mazzulla contesting Royce O’Neal’s shot is “Joe being Joe”:
“That’s who Joe is. When he did that, I wasn’t caught off guard. I expect him, or one of the coaches, to do that. Gotta love Joe for Joe.”
(Q: @GwashburnGlobe) pic.twitter.com/zjRsWHqalB
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 15, 2024
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla’s unwavering commitment to his principles were demonstrated by his contest of an opponent’s shot during a timeout. Though the move sparked debate, garnering both criticism and admiration. While some, like Charles Barkley, questioned the safety and sportsmanship of such actions, others, and most notable the Celtics players, praised Mazzulla’s unconventional approach. Regardless of opinion, Mazzulla’s steadfast adherence to team rules exemplifies the unwavering determination and competitive spirit that define the Boston Celtics’ ethos.
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