Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla recently made headlines, but not just for his team’s performance. Ahead of the game 2 NBA Finals matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Mazzulla shut down a racially charged question from Yahoo Sports reporter Vincent Goodwill. Let’s break down what happened and the aftermath.
During a press conference, Vincent Goodwill asked Mazzulla if he found any significance in the fact that both he and Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd have African American heritage. Goodwill noted that this was the first time since 1975 that two African American head coaches were facing off in a finals matchup.
Instead of addressing the racial aspect, Mazzulla responded with a question of his own: “I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches.” His answer was met with stunned silence from the press pool, and the conference quickly moved on to the next question.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla shuts down a race-baiting question in epic fashion. pic.twitter.com/fOl04Wta0m
— OutKick (@Outkick) June 9, 2024
This response didn’t sit well with Goodwill, who later expressed his frustration in a Yahoo Sports article. He described the silence that followed Mazzulla’s comment as awkward and criticized the coach for bringing religion into the discussion without elaborating on its significance.
“There was stunned silence in the room because it felt like an awkward answer, at the very least. Shockingly, and this may come as a surprise to the Celtics coach, it is possible to be both Black and Christian. He didn’t expound on it, he didn’t elaborate what it meant for him to be a Christian in this spot. He brought religion to the party but didn’t choose to explore the conversation.” Goodwill wrote, highlighting his disappointment with Mazzulla’s response.
Goodwill further suggested that Mazzulla’s brief and pointed answers to media questions might be a deliberate tactic. He noted that the Celtics coach often gives short responses and doesn’t shy away from creating uncomfortable moments. This approach, according to Goodwill, might reflect Mazzulla’s comfort with the “weird” aspects of the professional sports environment.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is asked how he felt about the royal family attending a game.
Coach: “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph?”
Reporter: “The Prince and Princess of Wales.”
Coach: “No, I only know one royal family. I don’t know too much about that one.”pic.twitter.com/jgroh6z1dB
— Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) June 9, 2024
Joe Mazzulla, who took over as head coach of the Celtics in 2022, has led his team to the NBA finals, making history as the youngest head coach to do so at the age of 35. His journey to the finals included a sweep of the Indiana Pacers, showcasing his coaching prowess.
WOW! LISTEN TO THIS! 👏👏
This is a good man, a godly man, a man with a proper perspective and priorities!
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla! pic.twitter.com/hbVv6MT6Py
— Texas 🇺🇸 (@MustangMan_TX) June 11, 2024
As the Celtics continue their NBA finals journey, all eyes will be on Mazzulla—not just for his coaching strategies but also for how he navigates the media spotlight and the challenging questions that come with it.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds and the NBA finals heat up.
