Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has a unique definition of success. He wants to be forgotten.
What is Joe Mazzulla's ultimate goal with the Boston Celtics?
Joe Mazzulla's main objective isn't to become the most celebrated coach in franchise history. He wants to be forgotten. He explained this on the No Show Dogs podcast. "I think you have to be willing to be forgotten," Mazzulla said. "I think that's kind of my main goal. I want to be forgotten about. Because that means after you, it was better."
He believes this mindset defines being a Celtic. Your job is to maintain or elevate the standard. Mazzulla talks about this daily with his staff. Their mission is to build something so big it outlasts them. He sees it as a heavy responsibility and a form of love for the organization.
How has Mazzulla performed so far as Celtics coach?
If being forgotten signals success, Mazzulla is on a strong path. In four seasons, he has compiled a 238-90 regular season record. That's a 72% winning percentage. He also guided the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in his second year at the helm.
His teams have been dominant in the regular season. You can track their upcoming schedule on our schedule page.
What challenge does Mazzulla face in the 2026-27 NBA season?
The upcoming season presents a major hurdle. Boston is coming off a first-round playoff disappointment. Their offseason included a seismic shift: trading All-Star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brown was a foundational piece for a decade. His departure creates a significant scoring and defensive gap. Mazzulla's system must adapt without that key player. It will be his job to keep Boston in the Eastern Conference contender conversation. The roster changes are substantial.
Mazzulla's philosophy will be put to the test. Can he build a system that succeeds without a star he helped develop? The early evidence is mixed.
Team building now becomes the priority. Mazzulla needs others to step up. Players like Jayson Tatum will carry more offensive load. Role players must increase their production in rebounds and assists. The coach's ability to develop talent is more important than ever.
Boston's defense might also need retooling. Brown was a versatile perimeter defender. Replacing that won't be easy. Mazzulla's tactical adjustments in the pick and roll and on the perimeter will be watched closely. The team's FG% and 3PT% could see fluctuation early on.
So the stage is set for a defining year. Joe Mazzulla aims to build a legacy so strong it makes him obsolete. But first, he must navigate a season of major transition. The Boston Celtics' performance will show if his team-first philosophy can withstand real adversity.