The Boston Celtics are heavy favorites to repeat as NBA champions, and Joe Mazzulla isn’t the least bit bothered by the pressure his team is facing this season.
“Zero. No pressure,” Mazzulla told reporters at the Celtics practice facility on Monday, per team-provided video. “We’re all going to be dead soon, and it really doesn’t matter anymore so, like, there’s zero pressure. You’re either going to win or you’re not. And when you win, you try to forget about it a week later, and when you lose, you try to forget about it a week later. So it’s not pressure, it’s an opportunity.”
The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games last season to capture the franchise’s league-leading 18th NBA title. Returning the entire starting lineup and role players, the team is built to make another run this season. Boston has the opportunity to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.
With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis locked up for several years, the Celtics have a chance to build a dynasty.
“It’s an opportunity here over the next few years, however long we’re together,” Mazzulla said. “I’ve said this in the past, we have an opportunity to carry the organization forward, to double down on the history and the tradition of what this organization has, and what else would you expect than someone expecting you to win all the time? I wouldn’t want someone expecting me to lose all the time. That would be debilitating.”
Story continues below advertisement
Mazzulla added: “We have an expectation to win. We have great character, great talent and we just have to work to minimize that. We’re going to rely on the players to do that.”
The Celtics kick off the 2024-25 NBA season with a banner-raising ceremony at TD Garden on Tuesday night. Boston hosts the New York Knicks in its home opener before hitting the road for two games.
Featured image via Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images
