Joe Mazzulla is okay with not being a candidate for NBA awards

Although the Celtics had the best regular season record in the NBA and set the league record for most wins by 25 or more points with 17, they ended up without a finalist for the year-end awards.

Trainer Joe Mazzulla didn't hesitate to shake his head when asked if the lack of representation bothered him. He has no problem with it.

“I think it’s beautiful,” Mazzulla said. “Why should you get an award for the past?”

Mazzulla didn't bother to address the awards situation with the team. He didn't think it was worth considering in the middle of a playoff series against the Heat, the team that eliminated the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals last year.

“The great thing about this team is that I think from day one we appreciated the individual accolades we received,” Mazzulla said. “From player of the month, staff of the month and so on. But at the end of the day, I think one of the greatest strengths of this team is that they didn't have that intent.”

“None of the guys have brought it up and I don’t think it matters at all because we’re all focused on what we need to do as a team.”

Deep thoughts

The Celtics shot 44.9 percent from 3-point range (22-for-49) in their 114-94 win over the Heat in Game 1 on Sunday. All players in the starting five shot 50 percent or better from distance except Jayson Tatumwhich was 1 in 8.

Guarding a team where everyone can shoot from distance can be a burden on opposing defenses. Part of what makes the Celtics unique is their number of weapons to score from the outside.

“Here’s the deal: If you want to win, you have to focus on doing difficult things,” Miami’s coach said Erik Spoelstra said. “Every opponent in the playoffs presents a different challenge. This is a challenge. They play five-out a lot, there are people who can really go from there.

“They shoot a lot [3-pointers] And then if you just stay home, they also have some guys who can put up big numbers. That's the deal, and our job is to figure it out. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be enough to win the game and that’s what we’re concentrating on.”

Holiday plays Herro

Tyler Herrowhich is connected to Jimmy Butler for the Heat's lead during the regular season, finishing Game 1 with 11 points on 4 of 13 shooting. Mazzulla praised Jrue holiday for his efforts to defend himself against Herro.

“I just thought Jrue did a great job, especially he did a great job of keeping in touch with him, which made it difficult for him,” Mazzulla said. “I thought there were some shots that he normally took that he missed, but I thought whoever was with him just had a heightened awareness of him.”

Holiday said he's looking forward to another chance to prove himself in the playoffs.

“It’s kind of like a new season. It’s time to prove that this season means something to us,” Holiday said. “This is something we don’t want to take for granted. Every time I get to the playoffs and I know I'm lucky enough to play, I want to come out and win. I can't say exactly what it is about the playoffs, the intensity of the game, the way it is played. I think it’s all something I’d like to be a part of.”

Is loading…