After last season’s abrupt and disappointing ending for the then-defending champion Boston Celtics — not only losing to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but also losing superstar Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles in that same series — hopes for the 2025-2026 campaign looked bleak.
From the outside, it appeared as though the team was gearing up for somewhat of a rebuilding year after parting with several key rotational pieces such as Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. All signs pointed to this season being a gap year for the Celtics, with cutting down the team’s hefty luxury tax bill and allowing Tatum to fully recover serving as the primary goals.
In turn, preseason expectations were low for the Celtics. According to Basketball Reference, their projected win total sat at 41.5, and they were given the 16th longest odds to win the title. It looked like the perennial contender was understandably set to take a step back after all the roster turnover.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla clearly has no interest in taking a year off, as he has led the Celtics to the top of the Eastern Conference standings and is in position to make a championship run with the NBA playoffs approaching in April.
This season has undeniably been Mazzulla’s most impressive display of coaching, as he has extracted every ounce of talent from a roster many considered an afterthought. In a year that was supposed to be defined by regression, he has instead built a team that continues to execute at the same level as the championship-contending teams he has coached throughout his four seasons in Boston.
While the Celtics still have star power, particularly with potential MVP candidate Jaylen Brown posting career highs across the board, Mazzulla’s emphasis on team play has empowered Boston’s role players to elevate their games and make tangible contributions. What separates great teams from good ones is the strength of their supporting cast, and a coach plays a central role in not only getting players to buy into the specific roles the team needs, but also in putting them in positions where they can thrive.
Players like Neemias Queta, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza have stepped up to take on bigger roles for the first time in their young careers. Mazzulla’s tough, demanding coaching style has proven effective this season, instilling confidence in his players and getting the very best out of them.
While other coaches have impressed and are worthy of consideration for NBA Coach of the Year, Mazzulla should undoubtedly be the frontrunner. No other coach has demonstrated the strength of their system or accomplished more with what many considered a lesser roster than Mazzulla.
Even before the Celtics welcomed Tatum back to the lineup March 6, Boston had flourished as a unit on both ends of the court, ranking top five for both offensive and defensive efficiency for much of the season. The team has leaned into its defensive identity and embraced the tough, physical mindset instilled by Mazzulla. Now that Tatum is back, the Celtics have emerged as a legitimate title contender, and Mazzulla’s role in this year’s success makes him a deserving candidate for NBA Coach of the Year.
