30. Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the Boston Celtics. Just weeks before the season tips off, the biggest NBA story of the Summer broke with reports that Celtics coach Ime Udoka is to be suspended for the entire 2022-23 campaign. As more details surfaced, it was revealed that Udoka had engaged in a relationship with one of his female coworkers — breaking team rules. Though Udoka hasn’t been officially let go, he will not be on the sideline this upcoming year as the Celtics attempt to return to the NBA Finals.
In his place, lead assistant Joe Mazzulla was named interim coach. This is a disastrous outcome for all parties involved. From a basketball perspective, the Celtics likely would have preferred former top assistant Will Hardy wasn’t poached by Danny Ainge’s Utah Jazz this offseason. More than likely, Hardy would be named interim coach if he was still on the staff. For Mazzulla, this is a monumental opportunity for the former West Virginia basketball standout. He’s been a Celtics assistant since 2019, and led Division II Fairmont State to a 43-17 record in two seasons with the Fighting Falcons
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