A second spherical exit to the Knicks after a devastating damage to Jayson Tatum? We are able to abdomen that.
A subsequent first spherical exit in opposition to one other hated rival? It hurts to lose to the 76ers, however a tough capturing streak and shedding Tatum for Recreation 7 provides a bit context to a different disappointing playoffs.
Now, heading into 12 months 5 after a Coach of the 12 months marketing campaign, the Celtics are arguably higher with Tatum changing Jaylen Brown because the #1 choice and veterans Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley Jr. rounding out the younger roster.
Nonetheless, the East has retooled, too. Brown is now with final yr’s ousters — together with LeBron James — and New York is defending the title. Can Boston eclipse the 56 wins they posted final yr and extra importantly, go deeper within the playoffs? The place we’re in April, Might, and June may decide simply how scorching Mazzulla’s seat is.
Right here’s reader RJB33 on what Mazzulla must do to proceed because the Celtics’ head coach:
I’m nonetheless not completely over the Jap Convention Finals collapse from 2023, so I’d actually wish to see the Mazzulla Celtics overachieve within the playoffs in some unspecified time in the future. In ’24, they did what they have been speculated to do with a good quantity of matchup luck. (Which isn’t nothing, clearly, when it brings a banner. However there’s an argument any competent coach might have performed it.) The opposite three years, they acquired upset and embarrassed.
Mazzulla has a powerful observe report within the common season. However when you can’t get it performed within the playoffs, that may really harm you by weakening your draft place to no avail. I believe he’s acquired it in him to have an incredible teaching profession, however he’s acquired to indicate the playoff performances have been a fluke, ideally this yr, or it is going to be time to strive one thing else.
Our buddies at FanDuel are bullish on Boston and nonetheless have the Celtics (+1400) with the fifth highest odds to win a championship behind the Thunder (+230), Spurs (+280), Knicks (+1000), and Sixers (+1000).
