Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla honors Invoice Belichick by copying trademark look

Celtics

“A fantastic coach, nice legacy, nice profession, nice particular person.”

The identical day that Invoice Belichick’s 24-year run in New England got here to a detailed, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla discovered a singular option to pay tribute to the legendary NFL head coach.

Forward of Boston’s highway recreation towards the Bucks on Thursday night time, Mazzulla fielded questions throughout his media availability whereas sporting a cut-off sweatshirt — a staple of Belichick’s wardrobe throughout his prolonged run in Foxborough.

“It’s the correct factor to do for a man like him. A fantastic coach, nice legacy, nice profession, nice particular person,” Mazzulla informed NBC Sports activities Boston’s Chris Forsberg about his determination to chop the sleeves off his sweatshirt.

Mazzulla, who was born and raised in Rhode Island, was requested about his reference to Belichick — be it as a fan rising up in New England, or throughout their conferences after Mazzulla took the reins of the Celtics.

“I feel I’ve a response to Invoice as a coach, as a buddy, as the most effective coaches of all time,” Mazzulla mentioned, per CLNS Media. “What he’s been capable of do, grateful for the connection that him and I’ve constructed. I’ve gotten to study from him, I’ve gotten to speak to him.”

Mazzulla was spotted at Patriots training camp back in August, with the second-year head coach talking extremely of figures like Belichick and now-retired Alabama head coach Nick Saban and their position in setting examples for the subsequent technology. 

“To me, if you see issues like yesterday, whether or not it’s Coach Belichick or Nick Saban,” Mazzulla continued. “If teaching defines you, it may be an unhealthy life, it may be actually hectic. You possibly can be one of the best ever and there’s a shelf life. There’s a shelf life in your profession and being with one specific crew. To me, probably the most inspiring factor about yesterday is Nick Saban has gained a lot and he’s walked away after dropping within the school playoff. To me, that’s inspiring as a coach since you aren’t going to be outlined by successful.

“You don’t have to stay round too lengthy and chase one other one. I feel if you see guys that undergo teaching modifications or slumps, one, it’s simple to overlook how exhausting it’s to be a coach. Two, it’s simple to take without any consideration long-term success and three, we’re regular guys who’ve a job and attempt to do one of the best we will. Simply grateful for the connection and the usual that he units.”

Sadly, Mazzulla’s Belichick tribute wasn’t sufficient to carry Boston to a highway win on the second leg of a back-to-back slate. The Celtics fell to the Bucks, 135-102, on Thursday night time at Fiserv Discussion board.