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I believe there was a reluctance from coaches and assistants to work with Mazzula because everyone was unsure of the work environment, but as things normalize and he does a good job, should we expect Boston to get him some experienced help for the long run/playoff?

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Nov 16, 2022·edited Nov 16, 2022Liked by Marc Stein

Joe M. is doing fine as the "interim" (Celtics lawyers insisted I used that adjective) coach, probably because he's smart and had a year as Udoka's assistant. Their level of play has been stellar so far and if Rob W. comes back healthy, watch out. The Celtics are motivated.

Edited to add: Gary Washburn at The Boston Globe is a great basketball writer.

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2 questions

1. Why devote much more space to ham over mazzula?

2. I know it's early, but do we just credit the philly coaching staff and embiid for actually getting as much from Simmons as they did? I mean, sheesh, even Simmons hating sixers fans wouldn't have predicted this. New team and all, you can't blame this putrid performance on that and time off alone

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Simple answer to No. 1: I was in LA for a week for family reasons as well as basketball reasons and saw the Lakers in person three times. I haven’t had a chance yet to get any time with the Celtics.

Will ponder No. 2 … but the 2020-21 season and the way it ended for Simmons certainly appear to have affected him greatly. Don’t think we can blame or credit any coaching for the current state of Ben’s game.

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Not the current state sure. But maybe Brett brown got more out of him than anyone ever will. Mutiny is on the verge in Brooklyn and ben may be out of basketball in a couple years at this rate

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If the Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is in hot water, would that mean Jalen’s dad, Rick Brunson is in line for the keys to the kingdom? Or would he be part of a “Royal Flush”?

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TBD. We have to pinpoint first how much of the heat on Thibs is genuine organizational heat.

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