With no official return date set for Jayson Tatum to return, some are calling it a gap year for the Boston Celtics. However, their preseason form is top-notch. 3 straight wins, and the recent win was a blowout over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Beantown dominated from start to finish as they won 138-107. With a revamped squad, the head coach, Joe Mazzulla, has done a fair job so far.

After the win against the Cavs, the press conference got heated, as the HC was tired of answering the same question. The question was about the change in Boston’s shooting philosophy. “I’ve answered that question a hundred times. Find a two-on-one, make the right play versus the two-on-one. That’s that simple. Could be a three, could be a layup. Find a two-on-one do. I’ve answered that for two years now. Find a two-on-one.”

Last year, there were concerns about the Celtics shooting a lot of 3s. And when those high-volume shots didn’t go in, the team would lose. Will the team change its style with no Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford now? The answer was no, in a frustrated tone.

“I’ve answered that for three years. Why do we keep asking that? What’s our offensive philosophy? Create two-on-ones. What do you do when you create the two-on-one? Read it. Find it. Last year, there were two 38% three-point shooters in a two-on-one situation. So, it was a pass shot. This year, there may not be a 38 to 40% three-point shooter on a two-on-one situation.”

The frustration can also stem from the team’s performance on offensive rebounding duties. The Celtics finished with just 12 in comparison to the Cavs’ 21. When asked what mindset or skills the players should have while rebounding, their head coach reminded the squad of a simple mantra.

“Five guys on the floor, everyone’s responsible to rebound. Go get the ball.” Joe Mazulla also made it clear that, currently, there are no preferred 5 guys for the defensive job. “I don’t care about lineups. Don’t… I don’t give a about lineups. Care about having five guys out there that will play as hard as they can.”

The change in the lineup was seen from the get-go in this game. It was the first time this postseason that Joe Mazzulla had his full roster at his disposal. He used three different centers in the first six minutes of the game and went 12 players deep into his bench by the first minute of the second quarter.

Only Jaylen Brown and Derrick White seem to be guys who have nailed their place in the starting 5. And the rest will be decided based on their grit and attention to detail on the boards.

New roster brings new assignment for Joe Mazzulla

Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, Josh Minott, and Anfernee Simons are the additions to the Celtics squad. Plus, the head coach will have to figure out a role for the former Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard.

Also, there is a question of minutes split for Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta. With these looming questions, the will to compete for the championship still remains. For that, the head coach speaks about his pep talk tactics.

Surprisingly, during the entire press conference, Joe Mazulla liked this question. “I think there’s there’s different personality. Everyone’s different, right? So, you have to treat everybody differently, but at the same time, you have to have a collective personality as to what you’re trying to do, you know?”

He continued, “And so, you have to coach to the individual personality, but then you also have to coach to the collective personality about what a group of people have to be able to do when they come together.”

Not just helping out players individually, but doing so by having a clear, bigger picture in mind is the motto. As the team finds its balance, the coach seems ready for the challenge of the season.