DALLAS — The Boston Celtics haven’t received a championship but. However they appear to be the one ones who know that.
Reporters gathered round for what may very well be the final scrum of the season, and all the inquiries took on an analogous tone. They requested about what it could imply to win, how he avoids complacency in a second like this, and what the gamers are feeling.
“Are you guys all gonna discover artistic methods to ask the identical query?” Mazzulla requested throughout his apply media availability on Friday morning.
Mazzulla successfully refused to reply the primary of these three questions. He doesn’t care about successful the Finals but — simply the sport in entrance of him.
“It might imply all the pieces on the earth to me to win Recreation 4,” he mentioned when requested about what it could imply to win a title.
The second level is one Mazzulla has addressed all 12 months. Not solely that, but it surely’s an idea he’s beat into his crew with usually colourful quotes and repetitious mantras.
Profitable isn’t allowed to be the expectation in Boston. It must be earned and shedding breeds expertise, not disappointment. So even when requested concerning the stakes of the scenario, Mazzulla purposely ignored the truth that his crew was competing to have their names etched within the historical past books on Friday night time.
“It’s vital to this subsequent sport on the schedule,” he mentioned.
Picture by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe through Getty Photos
As for the third query, Mazzulla by no means speaks to his gamers’ feelings. Simply their want to hold out the sport plan.
“I don’t know,” he mentioned when requested if the gamers are relishing this second. “I do know they relish [winning the] margins.”
Fortunately, Sam Hauser was there to talk for the locker room. And as one would anticipate, they’re revved up and able to go.
“I’m excited,” he mentioned. “May play the sport proper now.”
With a championship on the road and one of many best seasons in Celtics historical past hanging within the steadiness, Boston will take the ground on Friday night time understanding what’s at stake.
It’s unimaginable to not be concerned. That is all the pieces the complete crew has labored for not solely this season however their whole lives. “It don’t imply a factor with out the ring,” as they are saying.
But when the Celtics are going to win the Finals, they’re going to do it their method. And due to the successful, dominant mentality Mazzulla has instilled in them, meaning they are going to deal with Recreation 4 like another contest. Nothing extra. Nothing much less.
That’s what has gotten them up to now, and that’s what will cause them to Banner 18.
