Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers is one of the best rivalries in the history of sports. It’s up there with the likes of Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona, and Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears. And with the Luka Doncic trade, it’s a rivalry poised to dominate the next decade.
Doncic and Jayson Tatum have already squared off in the NBA Finals once, and it’s very possible 2024 was the last time it’ll happen. Only next time around, it would likely be a yellow vs. green matchup—enough to make TV execs drool. And Saturday night, the first-ever iteration of Tatum’s Celtics vs. Doncic’s Lakers (well, LeBron James’ Lakers, featuring Doncic, or however it should be categorized) will take place.
But Joe Mazzulla just laid the groundwork to lull the Lakers into a false sense of security.
Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics are playing mental games with Lakers
After the Celtics’ 123-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, Joe Mazzulla was asked about Doncic’s impact in LA and the Lakers’ play since then. His answer was kind… but that’s how he always is.
“Obviously, you know his ability to score,” Mazzulla said of what Doncic brings to the table for LA. “It looks like they're playing with a level of joy. Their offensive firepower, [and] they're also really good on defense. I think since the trade, they're like number one in defense.
“So, [they're] a well-balanced team, and it's going to take a connected game on both ends of the floor.”
On the surface, Mazzulla’s comment about Doncic and the Lakers may seem like nothing more than a respectful way of showing his appreciation for how they’ve been playing. But deep down, it’s more than that.
Mazzulla and the Celtics have made it a point never to give opponents any ammunition to use as fuel. They’ve slipped up in the past—see Jaylen Brown’s preseason comment about Payton Pritchard and the Detroit Pistons—but by and large, this is a thought process they live by.
So, while Mazzulla didn’t go into too many details about the Lakers, his bland comment should be seen as anything but bland.
The Celtics have a quiet confidence about them, and it helped them cruise to a championship last year. Just because Mazzulla may respect the Lakers and what they do doesn’t mean he isn’t confident in Boston’s ability to take care of business.
Doncic is one of the best players in the world, but if the Lakers take Mazzulla’s comment as a sign of respect, it may lull them into a false sense of security.
Now, on the court, that obviously may be a stretch—JJ Redick makes sure the Lakers play hard every single night. But for Mazzulla, it’s always so much more than just the on-the-court stuff.
He plays a game of mental warfare anytime he speaks about another player or team around the league. And while it may not seem like it, his mental gymnastics should never be taken for granted.
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