The Boston Celtics are gearing up for an intense NBA Finals matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Boston seeks to win their first championship since 2008. This time, it will be Joe Mazzulla, rather than Doc Rivers who leads the team’s coaching staff. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James revealed an eye-opening take on Mazzulla ahead of his team’s 2024 Finals matchup’s start.
James joined JJ Redick in a discussion revolving around fourth-quarter foul tactics. The conversation evolved to James claiming that teams would be smart to foul when up six points with a few seconds left. Even if the downed team makes both free throws, it would be a two-possession game. Redick revealed that Joe Mazzulla employed this tactic during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Thus, LeBron James gave Mazzulla the ultimate praise.
“This Joe Mazzulla guy is a f***ing genius. The more and more I talk to [JJ Redick], the more and more I like this Joe guy,” James said via the Mind the Game Podcast.
LeBron James knows a genius when he sees one.
Joe Mazzulla has done an exceptional job leading the Celtics in his second year as the team’s head coach. Mazzulla has had a lot on his plate to manage, considering Boston’s multitude of contributors. The Celtics arguably have the best starting five in the NBA. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are All-NBA caliber players. Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are All-Defensive guards, and Kristaps Porzingis ties everything together as a two-way stretch force.
Boston has high expectations going into the NBA Finals after several deep runs.
Celtics look to finally get over hump and win 2024 NBA Finals
The Celtics have advanced to the Conference Finals six times since 2017. The closest they got to hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy was in 2022 when they faced the Golden State Warriors. Boston fought hard, but Stephen Curry and company got the best of them and won the championship in six games.
With many familiar and new pieces on the team, the Celtics look to get over the hump and win in 2024. However, it will not be easy.
Boston is facing a dangerous Dallas Mavericks team led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Doncic has solidified himself as a perennial MVP candidate, while Irving has championship experience from his 2016 NBA Finals win alongside LeBron James.
On paper, the Celtics seem to have the advantage. Yet, the Mavs proved they cannot be underestimated during their Conference Finals matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves beat the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets beforehand and were thought to have an advantage over Dallas.
In contrast, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were unstoppable during the series. It was not uncommon to see the star duo put up 30 points a piece during the matchup. They look to the do same against Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics. Hopefully, the combination of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White will slow Dallas’ backcourt stars and allow Boston to maintain control. It will be interesting to how things play out in this intriguing NBA Finals matchup.