The Celtics’ disappointing postseason run one year after making it to the NBA Finals comes with questions. Questions about the roster. Questions about the coaching staff.
Brad Stevens had to answer some of those questions on Thursday — hours before the start of the 2023 NBA Finals. While Boston’s President of Basketball Operations couldn’t be as definitive on some points, he was very clear about the position of head coach. Joe Mazzulla isn’t going anywhere.
“He’s a terrific leader. He’ll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year because he’s constantly trying to learn. And he’s accountable. Those leadership qualities are hard to find,” Stevens said. “...Was he perfect? Would he like to have some moments back? Every coach would. … At the same time, our players, our staff, everybody around him believes in him.”
As for Jaylen Brown’s future in Boston, which was in question before the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Stevens could only speak on the organization’s feelings about the All-NBA forward.
“I can say without a doubt, we want Jaylen to be here,” Stevens said. “He’s a big part of us, we believe in him and I’m thankful for him.”
While that doesn’t necessarily mean Brown will commit to Boston long-term, Stevens has now positioned it so that the future of this relationship is all on the player — not the organization.