The Boston Celtics are entering the 2025-26 campaign with a very different-looking roster. How far they go could ultimately depend on how much head coach Joe Mazzulla is able to get out of his new-look squad.
After abruptly taking over as the C’s head coach before the 2022-23 season, Mazzulla nearly led Boston to an incredible comeback in the Eastern Conference Finals, only to fall short in Game 7. The next season, the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals, cementing Mazzulla as one of the top coaches in the league.
Boston’s quest to repeat as champions came to a crushing end last season in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and it resulted in the front office retooling its roster. Entering the new season, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will be leading the way for the Celtics.
Mazzulla’s coaching abilities are going to be put to the test this season, but the good news is that he’s already developed a reputation for being a strong leader around the league. In a survey of the general managers across the league, Mazzulla tied Golden State Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr in the category of best manager/motivator of people.
Mazzulla’s unique coaching strategies have garnered him a lot of attention across the league, and while not everyone is buying what he’s selling, the important thing is that his players are. If Mazzulla’s message wasn’t getting across to his team, they likely wouldn’t have won as much as they have in his first three seasons in charge.
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The task is going to get much more difficult for Mazzulla without guys like Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet in town. However, if he can continue to lead and get his team to buy in like he has in his first three seasons, Boston could end up surprising a lot of people this year.
