The Boston Celtics are sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference standings once again, and the man steering the ship-Joe Mazzulla-is making it look like he was born for this job. But let’s not forget: this wasn’t always the plan.
Back in 2022, it was Ime Udoka who had Celtics fans dreaming of banners. He took a struggling team, flipped the switch midseason, and led them all the way to the NBA Finals. At the time, it looked like Udoka was going to be the guy in Boston for the long haul.
Fast forward a few years, and here we are: Mazzulla is in his fourth season, already has a championship ring, and has his team firmly in the mix for another deep playoff run. At 33-18, the Celtics are second in the East, and that’s without playing a single game with Jayson Tatum this season.
Add in the fact that Boston lost Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet in the offseason, and Mazzulla’s work becomes even more impressive. It’s no surprise he’s a frontrunner for Coach of the Year.
Meanwhile, Udoka has found a new home in Houston, where he’s trying to replicate the culture-building magic he brought to Boston. He’s made progress-no question about that.
The Rockets were in the basement not long ago, and under Udoka, they’ve become competitive again. But with the addition of Kevin Durant this past offseason, expectations skyrocketed.
And so far, the Rockets haven’t quite lived up to the hype.
Part of the challenge? Udoka’s coaching style.
He’s a throwback-tough, demanding, and not afraid to call out his players publicly. That kind of approach can light a fire under stars, and in Boston, it helped unlock another level in guys like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
But over time, that same intensity can wear thin, especially on younger players or those still fighting for a spot in the rotation.
We’re seeing that dynamic play out again this season. Udoka has been vocal in the media about his team’s shortcomings, often pointing the finger at his players for a lack of execution or effort.
For veterans, that might be part of the job. But for a young roster-especially one with players still finding their footing-it can be a tough environment to grow in.
Take Reed Sheppard, the Rockets’ second-year point guard and No. 3 overall pick. With Fred VanVleet sidelined, Sheppard seemed like a natural candidate to take on a bigger role.
He’s one of the team’s best shooters and creators already-outside of Durant, he might be the best. But instead of leaning into Sheppard’s skill set, Udoka has kept his minutes inconsistent and leaned on veterans like Josh Okogie, Aaron Holiday, and even JD Davison, a former G League standout.
Sheppard has his flaws-most young guards do-but he’s not going to develop into the player the Rockets need without consistent minutes. And for a team that’s been searching for more shooting, scoring, and playmaking, it’s hard to understand why they’re not giving him the reps now, when it matters most.
Now contrast that with what Mazzulla is doing in Boston.
Where Udoka leans into tough love, Mazzulla leads with trust and accountability. He’s quick to take the blame when things go sideways-whether it’s a slow start or a missed opportunity.
After a recent win, Mazzulla didn’t praise himself or his players-he pointed the finger at himself: “I thought we got off to a slow start because of me... I put the guys in a tough spot to start the game.”
That kind of leadership resonates. It builds trust.
And it’s clear the Celtics have bought in. Mazzulla has a roster full of players who know their roles, play hard, and stay ready-because they know their coach believes in them.
Just look at what he’s done with guys like Luka Garza, Neemias Queta, and Luke Kornet. These were players who couldn’t get consistent minutes elsewhere.
But in Boston, Mazzulla found ways to use their strengths and hide their weaknesses. Now they’re contributing.
Same story with the younger guys. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have carved out real roles. So have Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Huge Gonzalez-late picks or under-the-radar prospects who are now key parts of the rotation.
Both Udoka and Mazzulla have proven they can coach at a high level. But Mazzulla’s player-first, accountability-driven approach is clearly working in Boston.
He’s built a culture of trust, development, and empowerment. And it’s not just leading to wins-it’s setting the foundation for something bigger.
The Celtics have the look of a team built to last. And while it’s easy to forget how unexpectedly Mazzulla got this opportunity, it’s even easier to see why he’s the right man for the job now.
Celtics fans should feel lucky. Because what they have in Joe Mazzulla isn’t just a great coach-it’s the kind of leader who can carry a franchise into its next golden era.