If Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is held in low regard by anyone in the NBA after the Celtics’ shocking loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 East finals, it certainly is not his old boss and current Utah Jazz team president Danny Ainge. “I work for another company now, but I’m trying to defend my friends,” said the former Celtics President of Basketball Operations via MassLive’s Brian Robb.
“I know Joe (Mazzulla) continued Ainge. “I hired Joe four or five years ago to work in our G League (with the Maine Celtics). I still cheer for my friends.”
“I don’t think the team quit on Joe,” he suggested. “There was pretty good evidence they did not quit on the coach.”
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“I just think they weren’t playing well. The team’s overall confidence struggled after the comeback wins against Philly, which was really the highlight of the season.”
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire