Technically, the play was over. Jaylen Brown had just finished a tremendous dunk that forced the other coach to call a timeout after he had picked off a pass in the backcourt.
With three minutes remaining in Boston’s 127-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Frank Vogel called time out on the opposite end. Joe Mazzulla, the coach of the Boston Celtics, was heading onto the court and was standing close to Royce O’Neale. The whistle had gone, but the Suns forward, who had received an outlet pass, still wanted to get off a shot. Perhaps he was trying to find his stroke because he was 0 of 7 from the field.
For an NBA head coach, Mazzulla took an unconventional step. He attempted to thwart O’Neale’s shot.
“I noticed a man.”
Suns broadcaster Ann Meyers Drysdale exclaimed, “Wow.”
Suns announcer Kevin Ray retorted, “You got a head coach who stepped on the floor trying to block a player’s shot attempt.” “I doubt I have ever witnessed that.”
That was an odd sight. Is it just? Is this even permissible for a coach to do? Though not everyone was grateful, it appears that the Celtics coach made a straightforward decision.
He is, after all, imprisoned. The big man for the Celtics, Xavier Tillman, told The Athletic that most coaches would say, “Ahh,” but he’s locked in. Being a player, he is aware of rhythms and understands that, particularly when a shooter is involved, once they see one go down and experience the feeling, it’s a
O’Neale was the only one who appeared taken aback by Mazzulla. He has witnessed other athletes attempt to steal that brief practice opportunity in the past. However, a coach?
“I had no idea what the man was doing. I’m not sure. Initially, O’Neale remarked. “I simply wanted to know what he was doing. It seems like a tech, don’t you think? I am not aware of its regulations.
It’s not O’Neale’s fault that he’s flabbergasted. Many coaches defy expectations. Mazzulla frequently takes actions that seem confusing at first.
Celtics forward Oshae Brissett told The Athletic, “I’ve never seen anything like that before.” However, that is Joe. Take a few items from his bag every now and then.
Mazzulla himself wasn’t certain if his players had seen it.
Everyone is therefore ready to pitch in whenever they can. We must work together to keep the message alive.
“Anyone is capable of doing it. Brissett stated, “It would only be an issue if a fan came to do it. “But you’re not even supposed to shoot after the buzzer.”
Since he doesn’t want to be the one to go up there and knock the shot out of the rim if it’s on target, Tillman is appreciative of his coach for trying to block the shot in the first place.
“Climb up and stop it? I don’t jump that high, lol,” Tillman responded. “I let it go because I’m going to hurt myself going up to get that.”
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