Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has an intriguing perspective on the notion of ‘defending a title,’ comparing the quest for another championship in 2025 to behaviors observed in the animal kingdom.
“The term ‘defending a title’ implies a passive-aggressive mindset,” he remarked during his appearance on Locked on Celtics. “In the animal kingdom, the strongest creatures do not engage in defense; they tend to be the most assertive and take the offensive. Regardless of past wins or losses, your mentality must remain the same. It’s crucial to understand the elements that contribute to winning and losing, to be committed to the finer details on a daily basis, and to maintain an aggressive approach. You’re not simply defending something; you are striving for a new goal.”
Mazzulla’s remarks suggest he might have been influenced by animal documentaries and some action movies, particularly with his subsequent comment.
“Some may say there’s a target on our backs, but I prefer to think of it as being right on our foreheads, right between our eyes,” the coach expressed.
In a separate conversation, Mazzulla’s key player, Jayson Tatum, spoke about the challenge of aligning his MVP aspirations with the aim of adding another championship to the team’s record.
“Yes, winning is always the top priority,” Tatum discussed with Bobby Krivitsky of Sports Illustrated. “Winning a championship is the ultimate goal—focusing on playing the right way. It has been done before. It is possible to play correctly, dominate the game, chase a title, and still be recognized as the league’s MVP. Therefore, you don’t necessarily need to sacrifice one goal for the other. It’s achievable to do both.”
Last season, Tatum was placed sixth in the NBA MVP voting, previously ranking fourth the year before, and again sixth in 2022.
Image Source: Joe Mazzulla @ Instagram
