The Boston Celtics have been one of the NBA‘s best teams for the last few seasons. Their incredible talent translated to an NBA championship in 2024, when they beat the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. Head Coach Joe Mazzulla has transformed the team into a dangerous outfit, and a lot of it has to do with his amazing mentality.

Mazzulla inherited a team with quite a lot of talent. The roster has been built around superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, two of the league’s most talented two-way players. The coach shares a unique relationship with his stars. And the latest season of Netflix’s Starting 5 provided insight into that as well as Mazzulla’s mindset.

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“I think Joe has a level of craziness, but I think my level of craziness might surpass what he’s ever seen before,” Brown said about a potential fight between him and Mazzulla. The coach responded, saying, “He may win in one fight, but either he’s gonna win or we’re both gonna die. If I’m going to taste death, you’re coming with me.”

This is a wild statement for the head coach to make, but it shows the intensity of his thought process. At any given point, Mazzulla clearly commits himself to whatever he has to with an almost manic intensity.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with guard Jaylen Brown as they take on the Indiana Pacers. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

There’s no reason that these two would ever get into a physical altercation. But from what it sounds like, even if there’s a good reason, nobody should ever try to test the Celtics’ head coach. Like many of the greatest competitors, Mazzulla seems to have a hint of madness in him.

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