Celtics could fire Joe Mazzulla in favor of NBA champion head coach

The Boston Celtics’ fanbase is a house divided when it comes to head coach Joe Mazzulla. 

While Mazzulla delivered an NBA championship in 2024, guiding a loaded roster to a dominant title run, his overall tenure has sparked debate. 

Some fans view Mazzulla as a tactical liability, pointing to the 2023 and 2025 postseasons as evidence he hasn’t maximized Boston’s star-studded lineup. In 2023, Mazzulla’s Celtics infamously fell into a 0-3 hole against the No. 8 seed Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, exposing questionable adjustments and in-game management. Though Boston battled back, the collapse raised red flags. 

Similar criticisms resurfaced this postseason as the Celtics blew two separate 20-point leads in the first two games of their second-round matchup versus the New York Knicks. Mazzulla’s skeptics see the 2024 championship as a product of Boston’s talent for more than Mazzulla’s coaching acumen.

Enter speculation about a bold move: firing Mazzulla and pursuing ex-Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone. 

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Malone, a proven tactician, has earned praise for leading Denver to a 2023 title and consistently elevating Nikola Jokić’s supporting cast. His defensive schemes and offensive creativity could, in theory, unlock even more from a Boston roster teeming with talent (even without Jayson Tatum in the picture for the next year). Celtics fans dreaming of Malone see him as the steady hand Boston needs to cement a dynasty.

However, firing Mazzulla seems highly unlikely. 

Celtics GM Brad Stevens, a former coach himself, likely empathizes with Mazzulla’s challenging ascent. Thrust into the head coaching role in 2023 amid Ime Udoka’s sudden departure, Mazzulla inherited a high-pressure job with little preparation. 

Stevens has publicly backed Mazzulla, and the 2024 championship bolsters his case. Replacing him with Malone would be a shocking move. 

Still, the whispers persist among fans who believe Boston’s roster deserves a coach with Malone’s pedigree to chase multiple titles.

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