Celtics coach Joe Mazzula speaks on the mindset of being defending champions

TJ Morin

Celtics coach Joe Mazzula speaks on the mindset of being defending champions image

Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzula says his team is ready and embracing the challenge to defend their title, per ESPN. From what he said, he has them ready for a war against the NBA. 

“People are gonna say the target is on our back, but I hope it’s right on our forehead in between our eyes," said Mazzula.

The Celtics were the champs last year, and posted an impressive 68-14 record. They then went on and won all their playoff games except three, and took home their 18th banner. With all the controversy that the Celtics’ superstars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the team itself have faced this offseason, they’re ready to prove themselves once again. 

The Celtics are already favorites to at least make it to the Finals, and with some predictions, like the Finals MVP, are showing the Celtics will win it all again. Per Bovada Sports, Tatum is the favorite to capture the trophy that eluded him last year. This means the odds also have the Celtics as back-to-back champs, the first since the Golden State Warriors in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Mazzula and his squad will return in the first NBA preseason game in Abu Dhabi on October 4th against the Denver Nuggets.

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TJ Morin

TJ Morin Photo

TJ Morin is a Sports Media graduate of Butler University. When he isn’t writing, or arguing about sports, he’s sitting on the couch with his dad cheering for one of their various teams, the Washington Commanders, the Boston Celtics, the Boston Red Sox, the Virginia Cavaliers and the Butler Bulldogs. TJ can be found ranting about them on X @_Big_3_Sports_.