Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla called back at NBA critics who call out coaches and players of the league for scoring too much, often attributing it to the trend of making too many three-point shots. While critics cite this as one of the reasons the NBA viewership and fan interest is on a decline, the Boston coach thinks the criticism does not make sense.
In a media interview following a practice session of the Celtics, Mazzulla cited other major sports leagues, the NFL and the MBL, as references
in shutting down NBA critics.
“It’s an interesting perspective because in the NFL, people aren’t like, ‘I want to see less scoring,’” Mazzulla said. “They’re not going to make the end zones smaller. Does anybody want to watch a football game and see less touchdowns?”
Joe Mazzulla on fans that believe watching teams jack up threes is boring:
“In the NFL, people aren’t like, ‘I want to see less scoring’ … Scoring is up across other sports. My question would be: Why in basketball is scoring being up an issue, as opposed to other sports? pic.twitter.com/cmeFNqvJbP
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) December 18, 2024
In the past years, both the NFL and the MLB implemented changes in their respective leagues, with the goal to make games more exciting and part of this is improving offense mechanics, which naturally leads to more points scored.
“Scoring is up across other sports,” the head coach added. “I guess my question would be: Why in basketball is scoring being up an issue, as opposed to other sports?”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver also acknowledged the criticism of the NBA surrounding the three-point trend in most games and for most players. He downplayed the take but said that it’s a matter that’s being discussed.
“The answer is yes, [we are having] many discussions about the style of basketball [being played],” Silver said. “I would not reduce it to a so-called 3-point shooting issue. I think we look more holistically at the skill level on the floor, the diversity of offense, the fan reception to the game, all of the above.”
Joe Mazzulla on NBA Ratings Decline: “I Don’t Watch NBA Games”
While coach Joe Mazzulla did not agree with fans’ idea of the reason for NBA’s decline, he did admit that he may be a part of the reason, confessing that he’s a “problem,” too.
“I add to that,” he said, talking about the issue of fewer people watching NBA games nowadays. “I don’t watch NBA games. I’m just as much of a problem as everyone else.”
Asked Joe Mazzulla on what he thinks about the NBA ratings discussion:
“I add to that, I don’t watch NBA games. I’m just as much of a problem as everyone else.” pic.twitter.com/y57BymiU4L
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) December 18, 2024
Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics currently stand 2nd in the Eastern Conference with 21-6. Their highest average scorer so far had been Jayson Tatum, with 28.2 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists.
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