Celtics reserve reveals tongue-in-cheek message from Joe Mazzulla in first chat

DALLAS — When Xavier Tillman was first traded to the Celtics from the Grizzlies, he still remembers a key part of his very first conversation with C’s coach Joe Mazzulla. According to Tillman, the message was simple: “Don’t be weird. »

Now, Mazzulla is an interesting guy himself – his players have called him a genius, sick, psychopath, or any other endearing name they can come up with. So it’s a bit ironic to hear such a message from Mazzulla, who has made headlines for his unorthodox ways. Regardless, the team has clearly bought into their messaging and culture as they are just one win away from the NBA Finals.

“I loved hearing that,” Tillman said. “It was so authentic and it made me think, ‘How weird could I be?’ From my perspective, I take basketball very seriously and that has kind of made me not take myself as seriously. You go in, you score, you do your best, you make or miss shots, but don’t be weird.

Mazzulla also incorporated different teachings into his team outside of basketball. UFC fight clips have been well documented throughout the finale. He also had references to Spider-Man, killer whales and one of his other loves, football. So Mazzulla brings a lot to the team so he can preach a different part of his teachings.

Tillman revealed that Mazzulla brought in the first special forces amputee and had him speak to the team throughout the season. Tillman said the conversations were “mind-blowing” and appreciated how they were able to take their minds off basketball while “finding a way to bring it all together as far as the compassion you have to have and the gratitude you have to have “.

So, as the Mazzulla files grew, the Celtics bought into the vision. And it’s clear they’re taking some of those words to heart as they’re now one win away from the NBA Finals.

“He was genuine through and through,” Tillman said. “But that comment ‘don’t be weird,’ I’ve never heard that from a coach that I played for. But the way he operates and how he loves jiu-jitsu and the UFC …He’s very authentic to who he is, and I can appreciate that.