Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla refused to engage in a moment of identity politics during a press conference over the weekend.
Instead of keeping questions about the Celtics’ plans for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports ventured into racial narratives when questioning Mazzulla who quickly shut him down.
In fact, the coach left the entire room in stunned silence after his response.
(Video Credit: CLNS Media Boston Sports Network)
“For the first time since 1975, the NBA Finals has a Black head coach on each sideline, with Dallas’ Jason Kidd facing off against Boston’s Joe Mazzulla. Al Attles (Golden State) and K.C. Jones (Washington) did it last in a series the Warriors won 4-0,” Goodwill wrote for Yahoo Sports. “Kidd and NBA commissioner Adam Silver both talked about the importance of the accomplishment and the symbolism it can represent for the forever-long struggle of Black coaches in these leadership positions and what it means to them personally.”
But his piece was aimed out of the gate at the coach’s “unwillingness to discuss race.”
During the press conference Saturday, Goodwill put the question to Mazzulla, who’s mixed race, about the significance of two black coaches in the NBA Finals.
“For the first time since 1975, this is the NBA Finals with two black head coaches. Given the plight sometimes of black head coaches in the NBA, do you think this is a significant moment? Do you take pride in this? How do you view this, or do you not see it at all?” the reporter asked.
“I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches,” Mazzulla replied.
What followed was silence in the room, with no immediate follow-up question as the 35-year-old coach made it clear he would not engage in any race-baiting narrative.
In writing about the moment later, Goodwill noted that the awkward silence “could’ve been Mazzulla’s desired effect.”
However, the reporter still pressed what he saw as the all-important issue, noting, “Ignoring race in these matters isn’t progress, because it can infer that seeing someone as Black means something negative.”
“Boston has a sensitivity with race, and other blocs love to avoid any mention of race at all, so there’s a risk of Mazzulla’s words on this grand stage being co-opted in ways he didn’t intend. Not just for the religious right, but the bad actors who love jumping on statements like that to quiet conversations,” Goodwill wrote, with no evident self-awareness.
“Mazzulla has the right to embrace his religion, lean on it to help in his professional and personal walk. He has the right to look in the mirror and not see a Black man first, but a Christian man with strong beliefs,” he added. “But if he’s pulled over in Boston, the police will see his last name on his license, but before they find out anything else about him, they’ll see a Black man first.”
Mazzulla has been vocal about his faith, telling Sports Spectrum in April, “How I view God is going to be how I view myself. And how I view myself is how I’m going to treat other people.”
Social media users praised Mazzulla for shutting down the woke media during the press conference.
Wow. Everyone in the room went silent. Love it. People are getting sick and tired of the race baiting and the anti-Christian bigotry.
— Pro Swing Trading (@Pro__Trading) June 9, 2024
Such an amazing response, I love this guy.
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) June 9, 2024
Coaches have grown tired of journalists constantly pushing the race card.
— NevadanforLife (@nevadanfor) June 9, 2024
One of the most underrated skills is the ability to sit in silence that makes other people uncomfortable. This guy has a gift.
— Moog Rogue (@moogrogue) June 9, 2024
Stop making everything about race.
These are two talented head coaches. That’s it.
Drawing specific attention to their race actually belittles their accomplishments by insinuating it has something to do with the color of their skin instead of their talent and content of character— Matt Roberts (@RecruitBoss) June 9, 2024
That might just be the most mic drop moment I’ve ever seen
— Jules Penney (@realjulesgrace) June 9, 2024
Why are so many members of the media trying to make this man talk about something he’s not wanting to discuss and doesn’t have relevance to why he’s there in the Finals?
— $nicklefritzPicks (@nicklefrit1375) June 10, 2024
The best part is the awkward silence that Joe is 100% comfortable with.
— Mark Leonard (@Kupsey17) June 9, 2024
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- 221 DEAD people received federal housing aid in Colorado— Trump admin. demands answers - December 18, 2025
- Cruise Line official pushes back on ‘nonsense’ drink package limit - December 18, 2025
- Border Patrol Chief and progressive mayor clash during street confrontation - December 18, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
