Mazzulla has signed a multi-year contract extension.

[Celtics4ever]

  Joe knows what he is doing and will push this years team toward 50 wins

 I for one, do not think Red Auerbach could not coach this team to 50 wins.   So that leaves out Joe.

I will say that if this happens, Mazzulla should be coach of the year. If this team gets a top six seed, it shows Mazzulla as a fully capable coach. I do not expect either but I would be impressed by either, and stunned (pleasantly) by 50.

Part of me wants this to indicate that Stevens knows this team is going for a semi tank, has talked to Mazzulla about it, and does not want Mazzulla to focus too much on getting wins to justify an extension, and instead just focus on figuring out who they want to continue working with and how to get them in the best position to compete when Tatum is back next season. But I doubt that either Stevens or Mazzulla is okay with any level of losing and both will want to win games.

Agree 100%

[Vermont Green]

Playoffs, Playoffs?  Are you talking about playoffs?  Playoffs?

50 wins would be a miracle and, for that matter, a waste.

[mobilija]

Playoffs, Playoffs?  Are you talking about playoffs?  Playoffs?

50 wins would be a miracle and, for that matter, a waste.

Coach to win. Having players and coaches with the ability to perform well without their best player is not a waste. Developing talent and a winning mentality is plenty valuable, potentially more than a chance at one good asset/prospect.

[Silas]

Playoffs, Playoffs?  Are you talking about playoffs?  Playoffs?

50 wins would be a miracle and, for that matter, a waste.

Coach to win. Having players and coaches with the ability to perform well without their best player is not a waste. Developing talent and a winning mentality is plenty valuable, potentially more than a chance at one good asset/prospect.

Well said...have a TP!

[tenn_smoothie]

Unbelievable.

What team is Brad Stevens watching ? Did he not see the disaster that was the Celtics offense in games 1 & 2 of the Knicks series, well before Tatum's injury.
Even with Tatum out next year, I saw reason for optimism for a second run at a title after his return with some new faces to support our core players. But I was thinking that way because Brad is good at building a roster and I saw a good chance that Mazzulla would eventually be replaced. Very depressing to hear this.

[slamtheking]

should have waited.  this team is going to stink as will Joe's coaching

[Neurotic Guy]

  Joe knows what he is doing and will push this years team toward 50 wins

 I for one, do not think Red Auerbach could not coach this team to 50 wins.   So that leaves out Joe.

I will say that if this happens, Mazzulla should be coach of the year. If this team gets a top six seed, it shows Mazzulla as a fully capable coach. I do not expect either but I would be impressed by either, and stunned (pleasantly) by 50.

Part of me wants this to indicate that Stevens knows this team is going for a semi tank, has talked to Mazzulla about it, and does not want Mazzulla to focus too much on getting wins to justify an extension, and instead just focus on figuring out who they want to continue working with and how to get them in the best position to compete when Tatum is back next season. But I doubt that either Stevens or Mazzulla is okay with any level of losing and both will want to win games.

Agree 100%

I think 45-50 is very possible. I don?t think the roster is as bad as most here think.  A lot hinges on Q looking or not looking like an NBA starter.  Some interesting players to watch.  Joe has an opportunity here. 

[tazzmaniac]

  Joe knows what he is doing and will push this years team toward 50 wins

 I for one, do not think Red Auerbach could not coach this team to 50 wins.   So that leaves out Joe.

I will say that if this happens, Mazzulla should be coach of the year. If this team gets a top six seed, it shows Mazzulla as a fully capable coach. I do not expect either but I would be impressed by either, and stunned (pleasantly) by 50.

Part of me wants this to indicate that Stevens knows this team is going for a semi tank, has talked to Mazzulla about it, and does not want Mazzulla to focus too much on getting wins to justify an extension, and instead just focus on figuring out who they want to continue working with and how to get them in the best position to compete when Tatum is back next season. But I doubt that either Stevens or Mazzulla is okay with any level of losing and both will want to win games.

Agree 100%

I think 45-50 is very possible. I don?t think the roster is as bad as most here think.  A lot hinges on Q looking or not looking like an NBA starter.  Some interesting players to watch.  Joe has an opportunity here.

The roster is bad.  50 wins for Boston is very unlikely.  Only 4 teams in the East got to 50 wins last season and the West only had 5 teams do so.  There are plenty of bad teams in the East and somebody has to win those games so I could see 45 wins in a best case worst case scenario. 

[Neurotic Guy]

  Joe knows what he is doing and will push this years team toward 50 wins

 I for one, do not think Red Auerbach could not coach this team to 50 wins.   So that leaves out Joe.

I will say that if this happens, Mazzulla should be coach of the year. If this team gets a top six seed, it shows Mazzulla as a fully capable coach. I do not expect either but I would be impressed by either, and stunned (pleasantly) by 50.

Part of me wants this to indicate that Stevens knows this team is going for a semi tank, has talked to Mazzulla about it, and does not want Mazzulla to focus too much on getting wins to justify an extension, and instead just focus on figuring out who they want to continue working with and how to get them in the best position to compete when Tatum is back next season. But I doubt that either Stevens or Mazzulla is okay with any level of losing and both will want to win games.

Agree 100%

I think 45-50 is very possible. I don?t think the roster is as bad as most here think.  A lot hinges on Q looking or not looking like an NBA starter.  Some interesting players to watch.  Joe has an opportunity here.

The roster is bad.  50 wins for Boston is very unlikely.  Only 4 teams in the East got to 50 wins last season and the West only had 5 teams do so.  There are plenty of bad teams in the East and somebody has to win those games so I could see 45 wins in a best case worst case scenario.

You?re probably right, but 45 puts them in as a mid-seed and clearly a bigger win total than the doom and gloom 30 wins that many here seem to be thinking.  I just think the team still has talent and they have a few intriguing players who may progress with PT.  If Cs are around .500 in January and JT looks like coming back in 25-26 is a reality, Brad may be looking at immediate upgrades at the deadline. 

[mobilija]

Predictions on our win total based on the current roster range from CelticStrong members and pundits from 30-50wins. What win total do you expect from the roster make up and consequently, what win total constitutes a successful year from Mazzulla and the coaching staff? What does Mazzulla need to do this year for YOU to consider him a good coach or to at least have had a successful year?

For me, an above .500 record is a success, a top 6 playoff spot exemplary. I think the team has strong offensive fire power but lacks playmaking. Some very good individual defenders but lacks quality defenders in key areas, namely the paint. So, success for Joe would look like PP (I think his assist total will jump significantly) White, Brown (Minimal hero ball and less turnovers) or a bit player (Baylor?) stepping up in playmaking AND, more akin to coaching success, other players moving off ball aggressively to help create playmaking opportunities. The defense needs to rise above the players perceived defensive talent by being active, focused and show continuous effort. If two or more players make significant jumps to become significant rotational players or at least one previously non-top 8 player shows capability of being a solid starter, I would consider that a job well done by Mazzulla and staff.

[No Nickname]

I think Joe, like Brad, is just great at the psychological aspect of coaching.  I look forward to seeing the players who surprise everyone because of the confidence

While I'm not sure that Joe is actually great at this, I look forward to seeing if he is.

And while I despised Coach K and his smarmy attitude, he truly did have this power.  Sure, he had a lot of McD's AAs, but he could also turn average players into stars just through his belief in them.

It was like when they put on the Duke jersey they were imbued with ultimate confidence.  "Hey if Coach K thinks I'm good, and I'm playing for Duke, I must be good!"

[SHAQATTACK]

Could be worse I guess .

I think Brad could have done better . After all it not a year to go all in.   

We should threw our line out for bigger fish .

[Goldstar88]

We are very excited that Joe has agreed to extend with the Celtics, said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. He understands the job and has a passion for the Celtics that is only rivaled by our most die-hard fans. He?s worked hard and accomplished amazing things in his first three years as a head coach including averaging over 60 wins per season and winning the 2024 NBA Championship. Joe is a gifted leader who brings a consistent commitment to learning, improving, and maximizing each day we get to compete for the Boston Celtics.
NBA.com