Few humans in the basketball media landscape garner more respect than NBC Sports' John Fanta, which is what made Fanta's recent discussion of Joe Mazzulla so meaningful.
During a new episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, Fanta praised Mazzulla and asserted that he belongs in NBA Coach of the Year discussions for what he's done with the Jayson Tatum-less Boston Celtics in 2025-26.
“Mazzulla deserves to very much be there in Coach of the Year (discussions),” Fanta said. “And for people who are like, ‘Well, he has (Jaylen) Brown, and he has (Derrick) White, and they’ve got championship DNA.’ Yeah, but you lost an MVP type of player, and (people expected them to be) sixth, seventh, or eighth in the East … and right now, you could argue that they’re the best team in this conference.”
Mazzulla has delivered a masterful performance this sesaon. Working with a diminished roster after key offseason departures and the extended absence of Tatum due to a torn Achilles, Mazzulla has the team at 37-19 entering Tuesday—good for second in the Eastern Conference and fourth league-wide.
Joe has maximized contributions from emerging and role players, producing one of the NBA’s top offenses while keeping the defense competitive.
Recent successes, including a 111-89 road win over the Lakers on Sunday Night Basketball, reflect his steady hand: the Celtics stick to winning on both ends without overreacting to results. This season ranks as his finest work yet, with many observers naming him the frontrunner for Coach of the Year.
Since taking over in 2022, Mazzulla has built a record of sustained excellence. He guided Boston to the 2024 NBA Championship and followed with another strong campaign in 2024-25.
His tactical creativity, player development focus, and commitment to daily improvement have cemented his status among the league’s elite coaches, even as the Celtics adapt to new circumstances.
More NBA:Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Describes What He's Missed Most During Rehab Stint