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Jamal Collier, ESPN
BOSTON — Celtics protect Smart Marcus provided more clarity on his outspoken remarks after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, when he said coach Joe Mazzulla had faced “proper” criticism during First year leading the team.
“Yes, the reality is that like us when we go out on the field and don’t play well, or we don’t do the things that we know we are capable and should do, we have to take responsibility,” Smart said. after Saturday afternoon practice. “Joe wasn’t in court, so he has a different liability to us. And that’s with some things that he may or may not do.”
As their season kicked off in Game 6, the Celtics made an important adjustment by inserting Robert William III into the starting lineup and back to the unit they used most last season on their way to the NBA Finals. Celtics players have responded with loud approval, including Smart, who has said he’s excited about the switch.
Smart used that roster change to note that Mazzulla, the 34-year-old first-year coach of the Celtics, is still learning. But Smart continues to support Mazzulla’s decision.
“At the end of the day, it’s his decision,” Smart said. “If it works, we won’t say anything. If not, then obviously you have to watch it. It’s a joy to receive criticism and move on, can coach, can learn. The Great players, great coaches, they can learn.
“Even when they make mistakes, they don’t let it stop them. They keep moving forward and learning from it.”
Mazzulla was criticized during this second series against Philadelphia 76ers – for his timeout management at the end of Boston’s Game 4 loss and after the Celtics were knocked out at home in Game 5 to a 3-2 loss in the series.
Smart says players have an open dialogue with Mazzulla and he allows them to make suggestions for him. But even as some Celtics players supported the inclusion of Williams in the starting lineup, none of them said they met with Mazzulla to influence the change.
Williams is expected to remain in the starting lineup for Game 7 between the Celtics and the Sixers on Sunday in Boston.
When asked what led to the switch, Mazzulla answered simply: “We’re leading 3-2 in the series.”
“We are all aiming to win, no matter what,” Smart said. “There are things we don’t see on the field that Joe does, and there are things we see that Joe doesn’t. We’re here to help each other.”
Mazzulla was not the head coach of the Celtics last season when they won a pair of Game 7 – before Milwaukee Bucks And Heat Miami — on his way to the NBA Finals, but he’s part of Ime Udoka’s staff.
So Smart reiterates that while this is Mazzulla’s first time taking the helm, he feels like the coach has been part of the journey with the rest of this Boston core team.
Smart said: “He’s been here through a lot of our tough times and struggles. “So now he’s got the job nothing new. Joe loves us and we love Joe. We believe in Joe and Joe believes in us.”
