Overview
- Brian Scalabrine said Wednesday on SiriusXM that Joe Mazzulla spent time this summer with Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson and that Jordan told Mazzulla to behave as if he had never won to stay hungry.
- The account is secondhand and was reported by multiple outlets; there is no direct on-the-record quote from Jordan in the coverage.
- Boston won 56 games last season but was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers 4-3 in the first round, a result that has increased scrutiny of the coach and roster choices.
- Mazzulla has publicly pushed back on being labeled a champion and describes his role as stewardship of the team rather than personal legacy.
- The practical impact of the offseason conversations is speculative as training camp approaches; observers will watch whether Mazzulla changes preparation, rotation or tone to affect the Celtics’ playoff prospects.