Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla rarely has a moment when he’s not willing to share his innermost thoughts – no matter how wild they might be.
Mazzulla, during an interview on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub radio station, said he’d like to see more fighting in the NBA. He believes it would amp up the excitement level across the league.
“I think the biggest thing that we rob people from as an entertainment standpoint is you can’t fight anymore,” he said. “I wish you could bring back fighting.”
“I mean, you aren’t talking about robbing the league of entertainment. What’s more entertaining than when there is a little scuffle?”
Upon being told of Mazzulla’s comments, LeBron James immediately flopped and writhed around on the floor shouting, ‘I was murdered!’
Just kidding. But we’re suspecting James wouldn’t want any part of the new NBA (National Brawling Association).
Joe Mazzulla Wants More Fighting In The NBA
Granted, Mazzulla was probably making the comments in jest, but they were very well-thought-out jests. Joe went on to call for the league to institute power plays for penalties involving said fighting.
Legend.
Joe Mazzulla has a few interesting rule change ideas for the NBA… he wants the league to add a power play, and to bring back fighting 🤔@ZoandBertrand pic.twitter.com/6czizVLe33
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 29, 2024
“Hey, I mean, basketball is one of the only sports that doesn’t have a power play,” said Mazzulla. “I think soccer just put in the ‘blue card’ where a guy has to go off, and it’s a 10 on 9. Like we should have a power play.”
“Because let’s say you have a technical or let’s say you get a take foul, and you get the one shot, but you’re not really rewarded for that because if you miss it, you don’t get the reward for that take foul,” he explained.
“So there should be like a power play where on a take foul or on a technical, you have to play five on four for five seconds or three passes.”
Five seconds? Bruh, two minutes. Minimum. The so-called ‘blue card’, by the way, is being used for lower-level leagues for 2026–2027 at the earliest.
RELATED: ‘Man of God’ Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla Leads Boston To Record 18th NBA Title
Embraces Having A Target On Their Back
Joe Mazzulla clearly isn’t afraid of a fight. Or a challenge. While fans recognize Mazzulla’s faith as a “man of God” it’s also become increasingly difficult to ignore this simple fact – the man is also pretty badass.
He couldn’t wait for this season to start, embracing the opportunity to repeat and loving the fact that teams had a target on the Celtics’ backs.
“People are going to say the target’s on our back, but I hope it’s right in our forehead, in between our eyes,” said Mazzulla. “I hope I can see the red dot.”
That man is a stone cold assassin.
Mazzulla led his Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in just his second season as the head coach of the franchise last year. At just 36 years of age, Mazzulla is actually younger than many players in the league.
Thus far this season, they’re embracing the challenge, winning their first four games by an average margin of 15 points.
