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Derrick White Says Joe Mazzulla Opened Preseason Practice With Machine-Gun Sounds

The unorthodox drill reflects Mazzulla’s push for a pressure-first identity that has coincided with a jump in opponent turnovers.

Overview

  • White revealed on his White Noise podcast that the audio blared for nearly ten minutes as players ran full‑court defensive drills.
  • He described the effect as a “war zone,” while teammate Jordan Walsh said the episode came late in preseason and aligned with a team mantra.
  • Reporters noted the tactic fits Mazzulla’s broader eccentric methods, which have included Spikeball competitions and wildlife hunting clips to teach resilience.
  • Early-season results show mixed records yet greater defensive disruption, with opponents committing turnovers at one of the NBA’s highest rates.
  • No disciplinary issues have been reported, and players say the unexpected soundtrack sharpened focus and intensified practice energy.