Category: Audio/Video

Celtics President Brad Stevens confirms Joe Mazzulla returning as coach for 2023-24

Mazzulla’s performance as a first-year coach was highly regarded by Stevens and the Celtics front office despite his inexperience showing in key junctures.

In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens made it known to the media and fans that head coach Joe Mazzulla would be back in that role for the 2023-24 NBA season.

Per Stevens, Mazzulla had an outstanding first year as coach, leading the team to a 57-win regular season in 2022-23 and the East’s second seed, taking the team to the brink in the Eastern Conference finals before falling to the Miami Heat in seven games. Mazzulla’s performance as a first-year coach was highly regarded by Stevens and the Celtics front office despite his inexperience showing in key junctures of the postseason.

To hear more about the finer details of Mazzulla’s body of work last season and how Boston’s front office views it, check out the clip embedded below courtesy of the folks behind the CBS Sports’ official YouTube channel.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Should the Boston Celtics run it back with Joe Mazzulla?

Does it make more sense to give the man a proper supporting cast of assistants than to fire him?

In his first year as head coach of the Boston Celtics, Joe Mazzulla led the ball club to a total of 57 wins in the 2022-23 regular season. However, in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, his shortcomings were on full display as he often struggled to keep up with more seasoned head coaches like Quin Snyder, Doc Rivers, and Erik Spoelstra.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” discusses if Boston should move on from Mazzulla after his postseason difficulties or whether it makes sense to give the man a proper supporting cast of assistants.

They also talk about the other options on the NBA coaching carousel who are finding new homes elsewhere and more.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about Mazzulla’s likely future in the city of Boston.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Mike Muscala rated 13th-best center who could hit free agency in 2023

With Muscala earning a modest $3.5 million next year, it probably makes more sense to hang onto the veteran.

The Boston Celtics could have decisions to make this summer about their frontcourt, and if they elect to move on from veteran big man Mike Muscala, they will be letting go one of the top centers on the ’23 offseason’s cadre of prospective signees.

The Celtics have Muscala’s contract on their books for next season, but only if they want it to stay there. The big man has a team option on his current deal for the 2023-23 season. But with Muscala earning a modest $3.5 million next year, it probably makes more sense to hang onto the veteran.

Especially given, as HoopsHype’s Frank Urbina assessed, Muscala is the 13th-best center who could hit the market this summer. He is a big “who specializes in shooting threes and drawing charges” and “knows his role and doesn’t try to do too much.”

Muscala’s 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game averages might not seem like much, but he seldom makes mistakes when on the court and helps space the floor with his 39.1% clip from beyond the arc.

While other moves might make the Celtics’ plans for Moose obsolete, we expect to see him back in green and white.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Why can’t Boston’s Jaylen Brown dribble in traffic?

Can the Georgia native ever get his handle to a level where he won’t be a walking target attacking the basket?

Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals was not very entertaining for fans of the Boston Celtics, who watched the Miami Heat escape the embarrassment of blowing a 3-0 series lead.

Miami’s defense was outstanding, limiting Boston to 84 points, the lowest in the series, and Caleb Martin was the star of the game.

For Celtics fans, Jaylen Brown had a disappointing performance with 8 turnovers and 5 fouls. He struggled with ballhandling all game in what must have seemed like a recurring nightmare.

Can the Georgia native ever get his handle to a level where he will not be a walking target attacking the basket?

The host of the “Also Rusty Buckets” podcast recently took a deep dive into Game 7 and Brown’s substandard handle.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear his thoughts on Brown’s ball control issues.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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What lessons are to be learned from the Boston Celtics loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 East finals?

Most importantly, how will the team try to improve itself to make another run at a title?

What lessons are to be learned from the Boston Celtics’ unexpected loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals series and their overall postseason run that capped off a very turbulent season?

How will the things we have learned about this ball club as currently constructed factor into the team’s plans moving forward heading into a pivotal offseason given the limits the new NBA collective bargaining agreement is about to impose on the Celtics? And most importantly, how will the team try to improve itself to make another run at a title?

The host of the CLNS Media “Winning Plays” podcast Brian Robb and Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston break down all of the above in more in a recent episode of the show.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what the pair had to say about how they think the Celtics could respond

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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After losing to the Miami Heat in the East finals, what’s next for the Boston Celtics?

What happens with the future of this roster?

After clawing their way back to tie the series 3-3, the Boston Celtics fell on their face in Game 7 at TD Garden as the Miami Heat cruised to a 103-84 win, punching their ticket to the 2023 NBA Finals.

With Jayson Tatum hurt on the first play and hobbled the rest of the game, Jaylen Brown was called upon to carry some of the workload and crumpled under the pressure, losing turnover after turnover and forcing shots from deep. What can the Celtics do in the aftermath of their Game 7 loss? What happens with the future of this roster?

Join the hosts of the CLNS Media “Vitamin Cs” podcast Tim Sheils and Wayne “Breezie” Brown as they vent and break down a tough loss and the questions to answer this offseason.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Should the Boston Celtics extend Jaylen Brown – or trade him?

Will the team offer him a supermax contract after his dud of a performance in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals vs. the Miami Heat?

The Boston Celtics’ front office will need to make many big decisions this coming offseason, arguably none more important than the future of star forward Jaylen Brown given the potential extending the Georgia native could have for Boston — but also the impact losing him for nothing could have for the Celtics if he walks in free agency.

Will the team offer him a supermax contract after his dud of a performance in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals vs. the Miami Heat? Would Brown even take it to remain in Boston given past speculation he may want to lead hi sown team?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report Postgame Show” crew shares their thoughts on how they think this situation will play out.

Check it out in the clip embedded above to heat their ideas about what might be headed down the pike this offseason.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Lab 199: Three offseason paths for Boston – run it back, make minor moves, or take a step back

All of them have their own, considerable risks.

The dust has settled on the Boston Celtics’ Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, with the Celtics now looking at an exceptionally punitive new collective bargaining agreement designed to make life difficult for costly rosters like Boston’s just as they need to retool for another run at a title.

The team has major decisions to make in terms of whether to Supermax Jaylen Brown, re-sign Grant Williams, and what to do with the rest of the roster to commit to a financial path that will also put the ball club in the best position possible to hang a banner in the short term.

To do all the above, they will end up choosing one of three general approaches to building the roster for their 2023-24 campaign which would be running it back, making minor moves, or something that would see the team take a step back next season to reload for a longer title window (we hope).

All of them have their own, considerable risks — and on this pod, we try our best to outline what the contours of each are before diving into specifics on this latest episode of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Fan Duel and Better Help.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Is Joe Mazzulla the right person to coach the Boston Celtics next season?

Mazzulla’s first year as coach led the team to the conference finals in the midst of a disaster left by former coach Ime Udoka, but there are many areas for improvement.

Is Joe Mazzulla the right person to coach the Boston Celtics next season? Considering the Celtics’ early series performance in their 2023 Eastern Conference final against the Miami Heat, it is a legitimate question. There were also several duds in the regular season.

But the question was minimized by how well the Celtics responded to that 3-0 deficit. They nearly made history by rallying to tie the series at 3. In addition. In addition, Mazzulla led the team to the conference finals in his first year as coach, a tenure born amid disaster and scandal left by former coach Ime Udoka.

Against that backdrop, many areas for improvement exist for a team with designs on a title.

The hosts of the TNT “Inside the NBA” show debated whether it makes sense for Boston to bring Mazzulla back, or if they ought to go with a more experienced head coach next season.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to see which of the crew you most agree with.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Why Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum can still work together on the Celtics

Regardless of how one feels about this team, with the new CBA, change is needed.

Jaylen Brown’s future with the Boston Celtics is uncertain as he approaches a potential supermax contract extension given the exigencies of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. Worse, there have been rumors of him considering leaving the Celtics to become the focal point of his own team.

However, it seems likely he will stay in Boston for at least the short term provided Boston offers the supermax. Both Brown and star teammate Jayson Tatum had poor performances in the East finals and have struggled in games against lesser opponents, raising yet again questions about their ability to play together.

Despite their flaws, there is still a belief among fans and analysts that the Celtics have the talent to compete for a championship. Regardless of how one feels about this team, with the new CBA, change is needed.

The hosts of the Athletic “Tampering Tuesdays” podcast recently debated whether the Jays are a deeply flawed pairing or if other things need changing in Boston.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the future of the Jay Team with the Celtics.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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