Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla may humbly claim he had no other particular skill that led him to his current position, but his players know his pivotal role in keeping them motivated. Recently, Celtics player Sam Hauser shared a glimpse of Mazzulla’s unique approach to inspiring his team as they prepared for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
During a recent interview, the Celtics sharpshooter recounted one of his coach’s favorite quotes.
“There’s no fouls in a war. You either die or you don’t.” Hauser said.
While Hauser might not be as prominent on the Celtics roster as stars like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Mazzulla’s encouragement has been crucial in pushing him to excel.
This support was proven in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where Hauser contributed significantly to the Celtics’ 106-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. In 14 minutes on the floor, Hauser scored 9 points, grabbed three rebounds, and made one assist, per ESPN.
Hauser also played solid defense, which has been a hallmark of his play throughout the finals. In the NBA Finals, Hauser has been hitting 45.5% of his three-point attempts.
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Sam Hauser Reveals Joe Mazzulla’s Motivational Philosophy
Joe Mazzulla takes a unique approach to motivating his team. He often communicates key concepts using clips from UFC fights and soccer games. This method helps his players see the game from various perspectives and keeps them engaged.
Sam Hauser recently illuminated Mazzulla’s coaching philosophy. Hauser shared that Mazzulla believes in pushing his players beyond simple praise.
“He always says ‘good job’ are the two worst words to say in sports to a player. It’s easy for people when they get credit to take their foot off the gas,” Hauser said.
Boston Celtics is just one win away from clinching their 18th championship, for which Bob Cousy eagerly awaits. Nevertheless, Mazzulla is not ready for an early celebration.
Hauser also praised Mazzulla’s ability to maintain the team’s focus during winning streaks.
“He does a good job when we’re on a winning streak to keep us right where we need to be,” Hauser added.
