Joe Mazzulla’s “creative and thoughtful” defense is praised by JJ Reddick.

Joe Mazzulla’s “creative and thoughtful” defense is praised by JJ Reddick.

It’s the ideal combination of having intelligent, intuitive, and outstanding individual defenders and a coach with extensive knowledge of all of this.”

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, in Chicago, Joe Mazzulla and Derrick White play in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)
The backcourt is where it begins. Coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics has frequently stated that his team’s success depends on the best players’ commitment to defense.

“You have a chance every night to play defense when your best players want to,” Mazzulla remarked in January after the team defeated the Mavericks 119-110.

With an eight-game advantage over the Cavaliers in second place in the Eastern Conference, Boston is still dominating their opponents and shows no signs of slowing down.

JJ Reddick, a sports analyst for ESPN, stated on his podcast on Monday that “it’s a rarity.” “There are endless opportunities when you have the players the Boston Celtics have.”

Reddick acknowledged the strength Boston’s defense had and complimented them on their skill.

This season, Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White were all named to the First Team All-Defense. Boston’s defensive strategy gained further protection with the offseason arrival of big man Kristaps Porzingis.

Reddick acknowledged Mazzulla’s contribution to the team’s defensive success despite the team’s apparent talent.