Speaking on the latest episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast alongside JJ Redick, James spoke highly of Mazzulla’s coaching style — especially with his approach with fouls at the end of Boston’s eventual Game 1 win over Indiana last month.
Redick noted that Mazzulla elected to foul while up six points at the end of that game against the Pacers — a forward-thinking move to ensure that the score would remain a two-possession difference.
James was impressed with Mazzulla’s ability to read such a scenario potentially playing out in the midst of a hectic end to a high-stakes playoff game.
“This Joe Mazzula guy is a [expletive] genius,” James said, adding: “The more and more I talk I want to talk to you, the more and more I like this Joe guy.”
“You got to think outside the box a little,” Redick responded.
“Absolutely,” James responded. “And I see why he sits over there and he says absolutely nothing. And he’s calm as [expletive]. He only gets a little like — when he knows they’re not playing the right way offensively.
It’s never defensively. It’s never because of the three-point attempts. It’s never ever if a team makes a run. He’s calm. It’s only when they don’t play the game the right way does he gets a little angry.”
