Ainge delivered a passionate defense of Mazzulla’s performance this season and gave his two cents on what ails the team after a tough bout of shooting luck in the East Finals. “I work for another company now, but I’m trying to defend my friends,” said Ainge. “I know Joe [Mazzulla]. I hired Joe four or five years ago to work in our G League. I still cheer for my friends. “I don’t think the team quit on Joe. There was pretty good evidence they did not quit on the coach. I just think they weren’t playing well. The team’s overall confidence struggled after the comeback wins against Philly, which was really the highlight of the season.” – via Brian Robb @ Booth Newspapers
Ainge credited the Heat’s role players for delivering huge performances against Boston but cited the player’s inconsistencies rather than Mazzulla’s miscues as the main driver for the disappointing exit. He also took a shot at former Celtics coach Ime Udoka while praising Mazzulla. “This team found joy,” Ainge said. “They were inconsistent, but they were rooting for each other. They were all defending Joe in the media. You see Joe’s toughness and stubbornness. He’s a relentless worker. He has a passion to learn. Joe is a leader, and I think this was a difficult situation with the high expectations the team had coming in. I don’t think there’s anybody there that doesn’t believe that Joe is better than Ime [Udoka] as a coach.” – via Brian Robb @ Booth Newspapers