In Toronto, the environment is often characterized by immense scrutiny, a situation perhaps best summarized by Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Prior to the 2023-24 season, Mazzulla commented on the intense focus surrounding his young star, Jayson Tatum. Tatum was the focal point of a youthful core that had faced numerous playoff setbacks over several years before finally securing a championship.
When an interviewer suggested that Tatum dealt with “unfair criticism” during the Netflix docu-series, Starting 5, Mazzulla quickly offered a different perspective.
“Gets to deal with,” the coach corrected the interviewer. “He gets to deal with it. It’s the ultimate compliment. And that’s what we talk about — `This is what you asked for.` You asked to be one of the best players in the NBA, on the best team in the NBA, with an opportunity to be an icon for the league for a long, long time.”
Mazzulla reiterated his point:
“This is what you asked for.”
