Joe Mazzulla comments, “Clearly winning is not important,” in response to the Celtics’ All-Star omissions.

Joe Mazzulla comments, “Clearly winning is not important,” in response to the Celtics’ All-Star omissions.

Derrick White’s failure to receive a late nomination for the NBA All-Star Game infuriated Joe Mazzulla.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will represent the Celtics in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

However, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla believes that this coming weekend in Indianapolis, there ought to be even more Celtic green on the court.

Even though Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis and guard Derrick White were both on the outside looking in at the All-Star roster, both had a chance to make the Eastern Conference squad after several key injuries sprouted up.

But after both Joel Embiid and Julius Randle were ruled out of the All-Star festivities, NBA commissioner Adam Silver opted to replace them with Atlanta’s Trae Young and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes.

Mazzulla expressed her displeasure with Porzingis and White’s exclusion when questioned on Tuesday.

It is obvious that winning is unimportant. “Winning isn’t important,” Mazzulla responded when questioned concerning the All-Star substitutes. “How come you didn’t include both of those guys? In the league, winning isn’t the most essential thing.

White and Porzingis have both contributed significantly to Boston’s current position atop the NBA standings. Porzingis, a 7-foot-2 big, averages 20.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game this season—numbers that justify his inclusion on an All-Star team.

White, a 29-year-old guard, averages 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks a game, so his stats might not jump out at you. However, the guard’s defensive prowess, adaptability, and clutch performance have contributed to Boston’s record’s many victories.

Mazzulla continued, “They are two guys that get it,” referring to Porzingis and White. “They are the experienced guys who only want to play the right way and contribute to victory; for those two guys, winning is the most important thing.” Ultimately, it is all that is significant.