The Boston Celtics coach recently shared which holy men and women he'd have on his starting squad. Do you agree?
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla knows a thing or two about building great teams. But when asked on the recent Godsplaining podcast who’d make his saintly starting lineup, the coach’s face lit up. His answer?
St. Sebastian, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, and St. Padre Pio.
Now that’s a team built for both heaven and hardwood! But how would these holy heavyweights stack up in a game plan worthy of the Boston Garden? We'd thought we'd take a look for ourselves:
1St. Sebastian — The Tough Defender
Every team needs a player who’s fearless under pressure, and St. Sebastian’s résumé reads like that of a true lockdown defender. A Roman soldier who remained loyal to Christ even when riddled with arrows, he’s the patron saint of athletes for good reason. Expect Sebastian to bring grit, endurance, and maybe a few miraculous recoveries mid-game.
2St. Maximilian Kolbe — The Ultimate Team Player
When you think sacrifice, you think Kolbe. In the darkness of Auschwitz, he offered his life for another man. On Mazzulla’s team, he’d be the one diving for loose balls, setting up plays for others, and putting the good of the team before personal glory. You can almost hear the coach shouting, “That’s Celtics basketball, St. Max!”
3Mother Teresa — The Heart and Soul of the Squad
Small in stature, mighty in mercy, Mother Teresa would bring compassion to the court. Every team needs its emotional center — the one who lifts spirits when morale drops. She’d remind her teammates, “It’s not about how much we win, but how much love we put into the game.” And let’s be honest, her post-game interviews would be pure gold.
4St. Pier Giorgio Frassati — The Spark Plug
Young, athletic, and joyfully devout, the new saint Pier Giorgio Frassati would be that teammate who never stops smiling or hustling. A mountain climber and lover of the poor, he’d be sprinting up and down the court shouting “Verso l’alto!” (“To the heights!”). If you need an energy boost or a locker-room laugh, Frassati’s your guy.
5St. Padre Pio — The Mystical Playmaker
With his gift of reading hearts, Padre Pio would call plays before anyone else saw them coming. Talk about court vision! He’d keep opponents guessing while praying the Rosary between possessions. And if a game got physical, he’d handle it with calm confidence — after all, a man who bore the stigmata can handle a few fouls.
Would you agree with Mazzulla’s line-up?
It’s hard not to love this saintly squad. They embody everything the coach values: courage, sacrifice, joy, prayer, and community — virtues that win a lot more than championships.
So, basketball fans and fellow faithful: Who makes your heavenly starting five?
Would you swap in St. John Paul II for his slam-dunk smile? Maybe St. Joan of Arc to lead the defense?
Whatever your roster, Coach Mazzulla’s lineup reminds us that faith and teamwork go hand in hand — on the court, in the home, and in the game of life.
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