After guiding the Celtics to a league-best 12-2 record, including an 8-1 mark against teams .500 or better, Joe Mazzulla has been named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for December.
This is the second time in his career he has won the award, with the first coming last November. Mazzulla is now tied for the third most Coach of the Month awards in Celtics' franchise history, behind Doc Rivers (6) and Brad Stevens (3).
The 35-year-old was also a nominee last month – However, the award went to Orlando’s Jamahl Mosley.
Mazzulla has sustained some incredible success since taking over the Celtics, leading the Green to a 57-25 record and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago.
This year, the Celtics have posted an NBA-best 26-7 record under Mazzulla. If that record holds, Mazzulla and his staff will represent the Eastern Conference in the All-Star game for the second consecutive season.
The second-year bench boss has demonstrated significant growth this season, as he has appeared much more comfortable after having an offseason to prepare.
The Rhode Island native’s efforts have not gone unnoticed in the organization.
“I think Joe has done a great job of right out of the gate saying this is how we need to be. This is what we need to do for each other to be the best that we can be. These are the strengths of your teammates. How can we get that out of them are make that a focal point?” Brad Stevens said after practice on Thursday.
“People use the word ‘sacrifice’ a lot. It's the idea of serving your team, being there for the good of your group, and I think he’s done a great job of that all the way through.”
Mazzulla wasn’t the only Celtic represented in the NBA's monthly awards, as Derrick White was also nominated for Eastern Conference Player of the Month. The award was won by Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
White averaged 20.3 points per game on 50.8% shooting from the field and 43.5% from deep in December. The 29-year-old guard also dished out a team-best 5.4 assists, recorded 1.4 steals (another team-best), and 1.8 blocks over that span.
“I just love being around him. I’m really happy for him," Stevens said when discussing White Thursday. "It’s fun to see him recognized for how good he is. He’s really good. The way he impacts basketball games is really special.”
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