Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made some surprising suggestions about making the league more entertaining for NBA fans.
Since becoming the head coach of the Boston Celtics before the 2022-23 NBA season, Joe Mazzulla has completely dominated the Eastern Conference. The third-year coach is coming off the heels of winning the 2024 NBA championship.
Mazzulla and the Celtics have continued their domination in the 2024-25 NBA season as well. After all, they are off to a solid 4-0 start. Considering Mazzulla’s status in the league right now, most fans take his opinion seriously. Speaking of which, the Celtics coach recently proposed a wild idea to make the league more entertaining.
The NBA has changed beyond recognition over the years. A key change that most have noticed is the lack of physical play in the modern era. Nowadays, even a small comment can lead to paying thousands of dollars in fines. Evidently, players tend to avoid confrontation as much as possible.
However, on the flip side, it has led to a somewhat less entertaining sport for fans. Mazzulla apparently agrees and wants the NBA to bring back fighting.
“The biggest thing that we rob people of, from an entertainment standpoint, is you can’t fight any more. I wish you could bring back fighting,” Mazzulla said, per Chris Forsberg on X. I just don’t get why some sports are allowed to clear the benches… We just have a ball.”
He added: “The other sport has one of the hardest surfaces and playing instrument in pucks and sticks and we’re not allowed to throw down a little bit?”
For what it’s worth, the highly physical playing styles of the 1980s and 1990s brought in a lot of viewers for the NBA. But seeing that happen in the modern era seems like a pipedream. Let’s hope Mazzulla doesn’t get hammered with a hefty fine for his comments.
Although the league may never be as physical as it once was, the NBA community always loves anyone supporting that dream. With that said, Mazzulla’s comments were met with some support from fans.
One fan wrote: “I love this guy dawg.”
Another fan said: “He’s a psychopath.”
A fan even claimed he could become a Celtics fan after hearing Mazzulla’s proposal.
“He’s a man of the people. He might turn me into a Celtics fan. I agree,” he wrote.
Read More: The 10 best storylines of the 2024-25 NBA season include LeBron James, Boston Celtics and MVP race
One fan believed Mazzulla confused the NBA with the UFC: “Bro this is not UFC.”
A fan posted a hilarious reaction to the comments: “Bro is trying to injure his way to another ring.”
While the NBA has never allowed fighting in the league, the rules were very lenient a few decades ago. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see that happening anytime soon.
Related Posts
