Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla drops harsh truth bomb on getting booed in loss to Lakers
Joe Mazzulla takes positives away from Celtics fans’ displeasure
Boston’s loss to the undermanned Lakers team was not well-received by the crowd at TD Garden on Thursday. Fans booed the Celtics after the contest. However, coach Mazzulla sees their dissatisfaction as an opportunity for the team’s growth.
“You should get booed. I mean, to me, it’s the ultimate compliment…I think the connectivity to the fans and to the Garden, even when they’re booing us, to me, that’s letting us know we need to be better,” Mazzulla said, per Jared Weiss.
The second-year head coach continued, “That’s almost a good thing and so we have to look at it that way and they’ve been great for us this year.” Thursday night’s loss was disappointing, but it should not overshadow the rest of Boston’s efforts.
·
·
·
At 37-12, the Celtics retain the best record in the Eastern Conference. Jayson Tatum is leading the team’s star-studded lineup with 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Unsurprisingly, He was Boston’s leading scorer in the Lakers loss.
The 25-year-old is having a great season, but the Celtics need all of their stars to bring their best game on a nightly basis to maintain their top standing. Nevertheless, this should not be a problem after a midseason wake-up call from Boston fans.
READ NEXT:
Celtics Star Questionable for Grizzlies Game
In this story:
After an underwhelming performance in a 114-105 loss to a Los Angeles Lakers team playing without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, earning boos from the TD Garden faithful, the Boston Celtics look to bounce back on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
It helps that after playing seven games in 12 days, they had time to practice, which happens infrequently during the regular season due to the relentless nature of an NBA schedule.
Saturday at the Auerbach Center, Joe Mazzulla detailed his primary point of emphasis as his team recalibrates and an area he stated he’s made considerable strides in compared to his first year at the helm.
As Boston prepares to apply the talking points from Saturday’s session, it may have to do so without Jaylen Brown. The hosts of Sunday’s tilt vs. Memphis list the now three-time All-Star as questionable for the contest due to lower back tightness.
Luke Kornet, who’s missed the Celtics’ last three games due to a left hamstring strain, is probable to play.
And while Marcus Smart will make his return to TD Garden on Sunday, he’ll be there in street clothes due to a severe right ring finger injury. He also did not play when these two teams matched up in Memphis — a game Boston held on to win 102-100 at FedExForum — due to a left ankle injury.
Further Reading
Celtics Accountable, Ready to Move on After Loss to Starless Lakers
Celtics’ Fending Off Pacers’ Second-Half Surge Reflects Their Determination to ‘Fight Through Everything’
Derrick White Opens Up About Shooting Slump After Propelling Celtics Past Pelicans: ‘Don’t Feel Sorry for Yourself’
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: ‘It Builds, Like, an Armor’
Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other’s Company: ‘We’ve Been Blessed’
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He’s Not ‘Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over’
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: ‘Earn Everybody’s Trust’
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics’ Offense: ‘Balance of Pace and Execution’
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines ‘Celtics Basketball’
Leave a Reply