Is Joe Mazzulla the right coach to navigate the Boston Celtics retooling phase?
As such, Mazzulla will now need to prove himself all over again. We already know he can guide a team on a championship run. Yet, developing talent is a totally different ball game, especially when the roster will likely be subject to change between the start of the season and the February 2026 trade deadline.
During a recent episode of the "Hold My Banner" podcast, hosts Kasey Hudson and Ountae Campbell discussed Mazzulla's suitability for the Celtics' current head coaching position and whether he's the right guy to lead the team through what is bound to be some choppy waters in the coming months.
You can watch the full podcast episode by clicking on the embedded video above.
Watch or listen to the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS
Spotify: https://bit.ly/40JRevf
Apple: https://apple.co/45sAUBG
Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
5 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Boston Celtics Sign Son of Chicago Bulls Legend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Celtics know they won't be contending for a championship next season with Jayson Tatum on the shelf and after trading away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Plus, Al Horford looks to be as good as gone. Instead, the Celtics are focusing on shrewdly adding pieces for the future. Let's face it: assuming Tatum makes a full recovery and is back on the floor for the 2026-27 campaign, Boston will surely be in the mix once again, so right now, it's about restocking the roster for a couple of years down the line. More news: Boston Celtics Make Big Move With Critical Draft Pick Well, the C's took a step in doing that on Saturday, signing forward Ron Harper Jr., via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The son of Chicago Bulls legend Ron Harper, Harper has played for the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons over the first three seasons of his NBA career. His playing time has been limited, as he has only appeared in 11 games throughout that span, averaging 2.2 points a night, but he seems to have potential. Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Brooklyn Nets in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center at Barclays Center on May 22,... Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Brooklyn Nets in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center at Barclays Center on May 22, 2021 in New York City. More Photo byHarper enjoyed an impressive collegiate career at Rutgers, spending four years with the Scarlet Knights between 2018-19 and 2021-22. Throughout his time with Rutgers, Harper posted 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game on 43.9/34.0/74.1 shooting splits. Much like his father, Harper is a very solid defender, and at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds with decent athleticism, he possesses the ability to guard multiple positions. The 25-year-old's most notable campaign with the Scarlet Knights came during his final seasons, when he registered 15.8 points, 5.9 boards and one steal over 34.3 minutes per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the floor, 39.8 percent from three-point range and 79.5 percent from the free-throw line. With the Celtics lacking proven depth on the wing behind Jaylen Brown, Harper actually may have a legitimate chance of making Boston's roster and even potentially earning some playing time next season. His father played 15 years in the NBA between 1986 and 2001. While he spent time with four different teams, he is most known for his run with the Bulls from 1994 through 1999, when he helped Michael Jordan win three straight championships. Harper also won a couple of more titles with the Los Angeles Lakers to conclude his NBA career. More news: Report: Miami Heat Interested in Acquiring Former First-Round Pick The elder Harper recorded 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game throughout his professional tenure. Meanwhile, the younger Harper is simply looking to find his footing on the NBA level, and landing with the Celtics at the perfect time could provide him with the opportunity to do just that, and with a marquee franchise, no less. For more on the Boston Celtics and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
NBC Sports
2 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Celtics reportedly will start Payton Pritchard, bring Anfernee Simons off bench
With Jrue Holiday traded away to Portland, a starting guard spot opens up in Boston next to Derrick White. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard is going to be handed that starting spot, which means Anfernee Simons would come off the bench as the sixth man, reports Grant Afseth at The Celtics believe Pritchard has earned the starting job through years of steady development. His familiarity with the system and readiness to handle expanded responsibilities have made him the preferred option to open games at point guard. This shouldn't come as a surprise, although Pritchard is going to have to solidify this in training camp (Simons may fit better with the other starters, such as Jaylen Brown). Pritchard averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game while shooting 40.7% from beyond the arc last season, but in the three games he started those numbers jumped up to 21.7 points and 7.3 assists per game. Simons should thrive in a sixth-man role where he is asked to come in and just get buckets. He averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists a game last season in Portland, shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc. This is a contract year for Simons (he's on an expiring contract at $27.7 million), and he'll be looking to put up numbers and raise his value for that next contract. Could Simons make it back-to-back Sixth Men of the Year in Boston? It's something to watch in what could be a crowded field this year.
Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
This should be a fascinating season for the Celtics, despite tempered expectations
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Simons is in the final year of his contract but could add scoring and perhaps even defense — with the urging of coach Joe Mazzulla — to the Celtics' arsenal. One observer keeping close tabs on the progress of the new-look Celtics is radio analyst Cedric Maxwell , who believes the club could be exciting to watch without carrying the contender tag. Advertisement 'Here's the beauty about all that,' Maxwell told the Globe. 'Joe Mazzulla's not going to let them take a step back. Joe Mazzulla is going to use that as fuel to have these guys compete on a nightly basis. We've seen teams in the NBA, perhaps not as talented as other teams but at the end, because they played hard every single night, you get your opportunities to win.' Advertisement The onus and pressure is on Brown, entering the second year of a massive $304 million extension he signed in 2023. There have been nights during his career when he's carried the Celtics, including the 2024 playoffs when he was Opposing defenses will be primed to contain Brown or bait him into individual play. 'I think this new role will help him grow immensely,' Maxwell said. 'I think he's capable of doing that and right now he's going to be forced to do that. It isn't a choice for him. By defection, he's put into that position.' Mazzulla also is under pressure. For the first three years of his head coaching career, he had championship-caliber rosters, resulting in one championship and one trip to the Eastern finals. But this time he fields a flawed roster. The Celtics will begin camp without a legitimate starting center. Who is going to play power forward? Will Simons or Payton Pritchard start? Related : Boston is officially a younger team, with just two players — White and Chris Boucher — over 28. 'To me, this is a great year for Joe, that's what I look at,' Maxwell said. 'I don't look at anything else other that who Joe Mazzulla has been. He's competitive. He's fiery. And if somebody were to ask him if this is a rebuilding situation, you might have a fight on your hands because Joe Mazzulla is not going to take that.' Advertisement One of the final questions for this team could be answered in March or April, if Tatum is healthy enough to return. Three months after his injury, he's already out of his boot and walking normally. The Celtics have been mum about his rehabilitation and progress and the club is not expected to place any pressure on Tatum for a 2025-26 return. 'I would let him lay because if you bring him back, you bring him back later in the year and what are you competing for?' Maxwell said. 'Instead of being the seventh seed or sixth seed, you want to be the fifth seed? 'I want him to come back completely healthy, ready to play and ready for [the 2026-27] season. It's a 12-month injury and 12 doesn't equal out to this season. I hope he's able to sit out, learn a lot more, get stronger and I think it makes you much hungrier as a player when you sit out for a while and you learn the game a lot more instead of being in the midst of it.' Related : Must-see TV Key Celtics' games to watch The Celtics Here are six under-the-radar Celtics games to watch this season and why: OCT. 26 at DETROIT It's the Celtics' third game of the season and first road trip. Two days after their road opener against the Knicks, the Celtics face the rising Pistons and it should be a great early test. Detroit is still young and essentially blew two big leads in their playoff series against the Knicks (sound familiar?) but they're vying for a top-four seed with Cade Cunnington , Jalen Duren and a healthy Jaden Ivey . Advertisement NOV. 23 vs. ORLANDO This will be the third time the Celtics play the Magic in a span of 16 games and the first at home. Orlando acquired Desmond Bane in the offseason and is a vogue pick to compete with the Cavaliers and Knicks for the No. 1 seed in the East. How will the Celtics fare against such a physical team completely healthy? The Magic had no answer for Jayson Tatum in last year's playoff series but he won't be in action this test against an Eastern contender. DEC 26. at INDIANA The Celtics were left out of the Christmas Day slate for the first time in 10 years but they play the day after against the Pacers, who are facing similar issues. Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his Achilles' in the NBA Finals and Myles Turner signed with Milwaukee so this won't be that simmering rivalry of the past, but it's the first game of a five-game road trip that will take the Celtics out West to bring in the new year. The team's first long road trip of the season. Related : FEB. 25 at DENVER We should know a lot more about the Celtics. Tatum may actually have a target date to return. The club may have made some trades before the deadline. This is the final game of a four-game road trip to begin the post All-Star break against a team vying to return to prominence in the West. This will be one of the toughest games of the season. Advertisement MARCH 29 at CHARLOTTE Why this game? It's the beginning of a four-game road trip that includes Atlanta, Charlotte and Milwaukee, and the Celtics could be fighting for playoff seed. It will be the Celtics' lone trip to Charlotte and the first of a back-to-back. This could be a crucial game as the Celtics seeks to avoid the play-in tournament. APRIL 10 vs. NEW ORLEANS It's the second-to-last home game. The Pelicans are in a rebuild of sorts in acquiring Jordan Poole and with Dejounte Murray coming off an Achilles' tear. They could be completely out of the Western Conference playoff race by this time, giving the Celtics a shot at an easy win before the season finale against Orlando. Waiting for a call Talented free agents still available Free agency is essentially over for acquiring impactful players but there are a handful of quality players available, although they may come with baggage. The Bucks just signed former Clippers swingman Amir Coffey to a one-year deal andother clubs are lining up their training camp rosters with veteran invites. Unfortunately, the new CBA has created a system in which the middle and especially the lower class gets squeezed out of the free agent market, left scrambling for veteran minimum deals. Remember a few years ago when Dennis Schröder landed in the Celtics' lap because he was priced out of the market? There are still talented players who could help teams, including the Celtics: Precious Achiuwa (previous team, Knicks) Achiuwa was once a quality backup big man, but his playing time decreased last season and now he's fighting for a contract. Achiuwa rebounds well for being undersized (6 feet, 9 inches, 234 pounds) and had his moments during his Toronto years. But when the Knicks really needed him to deliver in backing up Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson , he struggled. Advertisement Precious Achiuwa has played five seasons in the NBA. Aaron Gash/Associated Press Gary Payton II (Warriors) A defensive ace with an improving shot, he entered free agency seeking a lucrative contract. Payton's major detractor is health and he's 32. But when he's near 100 percent, he's a nuisance on defense and can knock down corner 3-pointers. He seems like a cinch for a minimum contract because he's considered a solid team player and won't demand many offensive touches. Malcolm Brogdon (Wizards) He was Ben Simmons (Clippers) There were rumors the Celtics were interested in the former No. 1 overall pick and he did have his moments in his stint with the Clippers, but coming off that max deal he signed five years ago with the 76ers, Simmons is little more than a backup point guard with declining offensive skills. Some around the league question Simmons's love for the game and desire to continue his career when the pay will be minimal. If he's completely healthy and invested, Simmons could bring something to a playoff team because of his passing and rebounding skills. Garrison Mathews (Hawks) A sharpshooter with a mean streak, he has yet to find an NBA home and consistent minutes. He shot 39 percent from the 3-point line last season but the Hawks had so many moving parts, he couldn't get a steady role. NBA teams are always seeking premium shooters, and Mathews could be a third guard and specialist. Talen Horton-Tucker (Bulls) Remember when he was a rising prospect and the Lakers would not part with him in a deal for Kyle Lowry ? Ancient history as Horton-Tucker has descended into a husky bench player without much to offer besides scoring. He can score in bunches but he's not gotten into premium shape. Probably a candidate for a training camp invitation. Daniel Theis (Pelicans) The former Celtic is still hanging around and could be a big option if Boston chooses to add more depth. As of now, Neemias Queta is likely the starter in the middle on opening night with Luka Garza pushing him for minutes. But the Celtics lack a third center, unless you include two-way big Amari Williams or the undersized Chris Boucher and Josh Minott . Theis plays physical and tough and is foul prone but gives teams quality minutes. While he has seen better days in the NBA, he could be a training camp invite or nonguaranteed option if he doesn't return to Europe. Alec Burks (Heat) Burks is a quality scorer off the bench whom the Heat signed to get buckets. But nothing really worked out well and Burks is looking for work. Health always has been an issue for the former first-round pick but when he gets hot he can score in bunches. Burks really doesn't do much else and plus-30 players aren't really a premium in free agency. The best Burks might be able to do is a minimum deal or even take an overseas offer. Related : Mo Bamba (Clippers) The former lottery pick has not gained traction as a rotational player and now he's just a journeyman. He's a third center at best for a contending team but he does have the ability to shoot the 3-pointer. There have been a couple of teams hoping that Bamba plays with the fire and prowess that encouraged Orlando to take him sixth overall in 2018 but that guy has not shown. There may be better center options to fill needed roles. Layups The Celtics weren't the only team that was sold this past week as Adam Silver s wants the franchise to build a new arena to replace the Moda Center. Another team in North Carolina would not be preferred by the NBA, especially since the Charlotte Hornets have yet to flourish since moving back to North Carolina in 2005. The Hornets have made the playoffs just three times in that span and not since 2016. The NBA considers Portland a viable market that should thrive with a potential return of the Seattle Sonics in coming years as their rival …Brooklyn's Cameron Thomas is a high scorer but has not proven he can help the Nets win, which is why he remains a restricted free agent. The Nets haven't budged with their offer and Thomas was seeking in the $20 million range when free agency began. In Philadelphia, Quentin Grimes sparkled the final two months of the season after being acquired from the Mavericks but that wasn't good enough to draw any offer sheets and he remains in limbo. The 76ers return Paul George , Joel Embiid and Jared McCain and drafted VJ Edgecombe fourth overall, so they'll be stacked with scorers. And there continues to be a stalemate between the Warriors and forward Jonathan Kuminga that doesn't seem to have a viable solution. Kuminga wants a multiyear deal but would gladly accept a trade for a more prominent role. The Warriors want Kuminga to accept a team option for the second season of the contract, which is the sticking point. That issue is holding up the signing of Al Horford , who is expected to agree to a two-year deal when the Warriors are financially ready. In Chicago, Josh Giddey remains on the market despite a strong first season with the Bulls. Chicago is reluctant to commit franchise-type money to Giddey, a former lottery pick who had off-court issues in Oklahoma City and was eventually benched during the Thunder's 2024 playoff run. Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
