Joe Mazzulla confidently faces the defense of the Boston Celtics' title: "I am not under pressure"

The Boston Celtics feel no pressure whatsoever as they prepare for the start of their title defense this Tuesday night. With the team set to raise their 18th banner before their first regular-season game against the New York Knicks, coach Joe Mazzulla assured that there is no pressure in Boston to repeat as champions.

"We're all going to be dead soon, and it doesn't matter anymore," Mazzulla told reporters on Monday. "So there's no pressure. You have the opportunity to carry the organization forward, to double down on the tradition and history of what this team represents. What more could you expect than someone expecting you to win all the time?"

Last year, the Celtics sailed through the regular season smoothly, ending with the best record in the Eastern Conference by 14 games, and then dominated in the playoffs with a 16-3 record. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the team returns with their full starting lineup and most of their bench, solidifying themselves as favorites to win the championship again.

Mazzulla emphasized that pressure is not a factor in their approach. "It's not pressure," he explained. "There's nothing anyone in this circle can do to impact my identity or who I am as a person or coach. Either we win or we don't win, and in 40 years, none of you are invited to my funeral, and that's it."

Season Debut

Meanwhile, guard Payton Pritchard pointed out that to be considered among the Celtics' greats, the team must win another championship. "Many people can do it once," Pritchard said. "I know winning a championship is hard, but there are many people who have won one. However, winning it multiple times, creating something like a dynasty, that's hard to achieve. That's greatness, and that's what we're trying to reach."

The path to greatness begins against the Knicks, who have positioned themselves as one of the Celtics’ main competitors in the East, especially after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. However, Mazzulla has trust in his team and their preparation. "I trust who they are," he said. "I believe they understand both what they achieved and what we're trying to do. All the intangibles that lead you to win must continue from one season to the next. You must appreciate it, but also know what got you there, because if you forget that, you'll never return."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Joe Mazzulla afronta sobrado la defensa del título de Boston Celtics: "No tengo presión"