Skip to main content

Rethinking Joe Mazzulla as replacement for Ime Udoka

Image
By

 Prior to the start of the Celtics 2022-23 season, I went on record as being against Joe Mazzulla taking the helm as coach of the Boston Celtics after Ime Udoka was suspended. My argument was based on an alcohol-related incident where Joe reportedly grabbed a woman by the neck and was charged with domestic battery.


Using my 20 years in law enfoprcement, and after doing further research, I cited the specific, and sinister, nature of such an act (per Wikipedia):

"Strangulation is sometimes fatal. According to a large U.S. case control study, prior strangulation is a substantial and unique predictor of attempted and completed homicide of women by a male intimate partner.

A special issue of the Domestic Violence Report devoted to the crime of strangulation states: "Many domestic violence offenders and rapists do not strangle their partners to kill them; they strangle them to let them know they can kill them—any time they wish. Once victims know this truth, they live under the power and control of their abusers day in and day out."

Admittedly, Mazzulla took over the reins and led the team to the second-best record in the regular season, and also to the seventh game of the Eastern Finals. But many Celtics fans, including myself, disliked Joe's focus on 3-pointers to hopefully win games, particularly in the post-season.

But what I disliked more than that was Mazzulla's too-smug attitude during interviews. After all, he is not Gregg Popovich - not yet. Now comes the rude interview with TVAbby, which I just reviewed.

There is a lack of professionalism by Mazzulla in that interview that is very objectionable. Some may call it another form of abuse, though less severe, of a female. 

 NBA coaches get the hook at the drop of a hat. Right, Doc Rivers? As of this writing, Joe Mazzulla remains at the helm of the Celtics ship. But as I stated last September in my article:

"My hope is that Brad Stevens comes to his senses and makes coaching hires as smartly as he makes his player acquisitions. I rest my case!"

If Joe Mazzulla remains in his present position, some changes are needed. Smugness and rudeness are acceptable to a point by veteran, successful coaches. Joe is not there yet. Did I mention Gregg Popovich - whose smugness was often displayed in a jocular manner.

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Elm Street Nightmare

By
 A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.)  Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube   Elm Street  surfaces on six (6) occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He  resided on Elm Street  in Townsend, Massachusetts  2.) He  kidnapped a woman  at gunpoint on  Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) That kidnapped woman fled to the Gillogly residence on Elm Street after escaping from the armed fugitive, Laplante. 4.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 5.) He was  tried, convicted   and sentenced for the murders at  Superior Court , corner of  Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. 6.) The author, Thomas Lane, lived on Elm Steet, Pepperell, Massachusetts while a police Sgt./Lt. for the t...
19 comments
Read more

In defense of Marcus Smart

By
 Let me make it clear first of all that I am totally against making a threat of any kind that even hints at harming, or certainly killing, another human being. Marcus Smart was wrong in doing so in the Celtics loss to the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder , and he deserved the one-game suspension. But to be honest, part of me loved that it occurred. . This type of thing can happen when a player gets to a point "beyond frustration" and is having a bad game. Marcus and his teammates have been under-performing generally - were in the process of losing to a pathetic-and-tanking Thunder team - and Smart was having a bad game . And he let loose verbally at the closest target - an NBA official. Wilt Chamberlain did a similar act versus referee, Earl Strom when Wilt was having his usual tortuous time at the free throw line (per Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith): ''He was in one of those 1-for-13s,'' recalls referee Earl Strom. ''Nothing was getting close. S...
Post a Comment
Read more

Did the Celtics Kevin McHale really have a wingspan of 8-feet?

By
According to many sources, the Celtics Kevin McHale did indeed have an estimated wingspan of 8-feet. One of those sources is Wikipedia, as seen below: Kevin McHale American basketball player DescriptionKevin Edward McHale is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and is regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Wikipedia Born: December 19, 1957 (age 61 years), Hibbing, MN Wingspan: 8′ 0″ Height: 6′ 10″ Spouse: Lynn McHale (m. 1982) NBA draft: 1980, Boston Celtics (Round: 1 / Pick: 3) Hall of fame induction: 1999 Number: 32 (Boston Celtics / Power forward, Center) Kevin was listed at 6'10" tall when he was drafted with the 3rd pick in the 1980 draft. Red Auerbach, in yet another heist, brought in both McHale and center Robert Parish (via trade) prior to the Celtics' 1980-81 Champion...
Post a Comment
Read more