The Boston Celtics are NBA champions. Everyone knows this.
And, typically, when you are a champion in the NBA — or any sports league, for that matter — you come back the next season in an attempt to defend your title.
You know every team will be coming at you with a little more gusto than they had before because of the success you carry with you now. Beating the champs just means a little bit more.
That’s typically why the season after winning a title is commonly called a title defense.
Not in Joe Mazzulla’s world, though.
In an interview with Locked On Celtics Mazzulla explained why the Celtics won’t be “defending” their title at all this season. He called the phrase “defending a title” a “passive-aggressive” term and evoked the animal kingdom in his explanation.
Yup. It got super weird.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla says he does not like the phrase “defending the title”:
“The phrase ‘defending a title’ is a very passive-aggressive term. If you look at the animal kingdom, some of the strongest animals don’t defend; they’re the most aggressive, and they… pic.twitter.com/h9SLTuvqer
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) September 10, 2024
“If you look at the animal kingdom, some of the strongest animals don’t defend. They’re the most aggressive, and they attack the most,” he said.
Word. Yup. That’s correct.
But Joe. My guy. You’re doing way too much here. It’s not that serious. We’re talking about basketball here — not the food chain. I guess we should expect nothing less from a guy who has very clearly put some legitimate thought into how he’d build a team to rob a bank.
Never change, Joe. Never change.