Inside the Rhode Island village that raised Joe Mazzulla – and eventually, the Larry O’Brien trophy

PROVIDENCE — As he walked down the steps of the Rhode Island State Capitol, Joe Mazzulla cradled the Larry O’Brien trophy, with Queen’s “We’re the Champions” blasting within the background.

On paper, Tuesday morning’s goal was easy: for the Celtics group to have fun Banner 18 with lawmakers and locals from the state of Rhode Island, a gathering that was initiated by Governor Dan McKee.

In actuality, it was a celebration of Joe Mazzulla and the facility of neighborhood.

As Mazzulla made his method towards a crowd of legislators, he was accompanied by Governor McKee, who rocked a “No matter it takes” Celtics T-shirt, and Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca. The trio — every outstanding in their very own distinctive method — addressed the eclectic crowd, which included dozens of state policymakers, native media, and die laborious Celtics followers.

The second conveyed a sentiment that Mazzulla holds close to and expensive to his coronary heart: the Celtics 2024 championship is for all the area.

“One of many targets of profitable the championship is connecting the Celtic id to the neighborhood,” Mazzulla stated to the gang. “That was an enormous objective of mine this season — reconnecting to the town of Boston, and actually reconnecting the id. Certainly one of my targets is when individuals watch the Celtics, they see the Metropolis of Boston, they see New England, they see that toughness, that mindset. That’s the basketball that I noticed rising up.”

The distinctive factor about this specific gathering was that the gang members have been overwhelmingly individuals who knew — and beloved — Joe Mazzulla rising up. The 36-year-old has deep roots in Rhode Island; he grew up in Johnson, went to highschool in Warwick, and his late father, Dan, was a beloved basketball coach. Although he left RI at age 17, Mazzulla made clear that these early years have been foundational.

“That is very thrilling,” Kristen Mazzulla, Joe’s aunt, advised CelticsBlog after the ceremony had concluded. “It’s one thing that I by no means thought would occur, nevertheless it’s actuality. It’s nonetheless sinking in.”

Joe Mazzulla’s championship celebration was a celebration of neighborhood

“Joey!” one man yelled out as followers lined as much as take pictures with the Celtics’ coach.

Mazzulla smiled as the 2 made eye contact. It was a well-known face: an previous household good friend and highschool referee, Paul Giarruso, donning a black shirt with the phrase “Italy” pasted throughout it.

“I like your shirt,” Mazzulla stated with a smile.

For Mazzulla, coming again to Rhode Island with a championship trophy in hand was a very significant expertise: somewhat child who grew up an enormous Celtics fan in Johnston, Rhode Island was now again within the state that raised him, decked out with the last word prize.

“Daily I drive into the power and nonetheless pinch myself somewhat bit with gratitude and, , ‘How the hell did I get right here?’” Mazzulla advised the gang.

Tuesday’s occasion was centered on the understanding that Mazzulla didn’t obtain this alone.

First, he thanked the Celtics group: “Folks don’t actually perceive what goes into organizational management, organizational alignment. The Celtics are one of many high organizations on this planet from high to backside. Everyone seems to be on the identical web page.”

Then, he credited the individuals of Rhode Island for contributing to the village that helped elevate him. He returned to the New England space 4 years in the past as a coach for the Celtics, and has since had the prospect to reconnect with individuals from all aspects of his life.

“It’s been actually cool coming again with my spouse, with my youngsters… consistently working into people who bought me rides, purchased me lunch, babysat me, got here to my video games, supported me after I was in CYO, in highschool, who knew my father, who knew my household,” Mazzulla stated. “To only reconnect and rekindle these relationships, to get again to the muse of who I’m and the place I’m from, has been one of many biggest presents that I’ve gotten.”

It appeared like each individual within the crowd had some type of connection to Joe Mazzulla, whether or not direct or extra convoluted. Those that needed to spend a couple of minutes explaining simply how they have been linked to the championship coach did so with a self-aware grin.

“I don’t wish to be a type of individuals – oh he’s my greatest good friend. All people acts like he’s their greatest good friend,” stated Kyle Norigian, chuckling. He did clarify, although, his personal, distinctive connection to the Mazzulla household: he coached basketball with Joe’s father, Dan, till his passing, and was beforehand coached by Joe’s uncle, Anthony, for 8 years.

“In Johnson, all people’s shut,” Norigian stated. “It’s going to by no means be regular seeing Joey up there.”

To celebration of the Celtics’ championship, he introduced his younger nephew, Nick Gionis, to the occasion, who sported an genuine Mazzulla West Virginia College jersey that caught Joe’s consideration when the 2 posed for a mid-speech picture.

Norigian, who was thrilled his nephew bought the photo-op, described the Celtics tradition in Rhode Island as “obsessive,” and famous that nobody might have predicted what Mazzulla was capable of accomplish so early in his profession.

“Did I count on him to get right here? He’s 36 and he simply gained a championship. I don’t suppose anyone expects that of anyone. It’s the best factor I’ve ever seen, truthfully. It’s superior.”

Nonetheless, the Mazzulla household is unsurprised at Joe’s success

Joe Mazzulla stated that spending time in Rhode Island as an grownup led to 2 revelations.

“You begin to notice – one, how a lot of a ache within the ass I used to be and two, how many individuals went into ensuring I bought to the place I’m right now.”

Amongst those who have been there from the start was Joe’s aunt, Kristen Mazzulla, who maintained her confidence in her nephew by no means wavered.

“I did see this for him. I noticed him both taking part in skilled basketball or being a coach someplace,” Kristen stated. “Since he was little – that is what I noticed for him.”

Her highschool daughter, Anna Mazzulla, additionally endorsed her older cousin’s character.

“He’s simply, like, the sweetest individual ever,” she stated. “He’s very humble and right down to earth. Some individuals may say, ‘Oh, he by no means smiles, he by no means does this.’ However deep down, he’s not what he appears. He’s really very good, caring – he’ll do something for anyone.”

Earlier than the occasion concluded and the picture-taking started, Joe made certain to take a household picture on the steps of the State Home.

After which, he delivered a last message of gratitude.

“Thanks to everybody who, in these 17 years, has helped me get to the place I’m. Thanks to the state of Rhode Island for these individuals.”