Celtics' Mazzulla: Coaching NBA All-Star Game means 'nothing' to me
Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla doesn't sound too excited about the opportunity to coach in this year's NBA All-Star Game.
Mazzulla offered a blunt response Tuesday when asked what it means to coach Team Giannis, though he did express happiness that his staff will get to take part in the festivities.
"Nothing," he responded, according to CLNS Media Boston Sports Network. "Really happy for our staff. I think it'll be a great experience for our family. It's really cool that since this all started, that our staff has really been able to come together and work hard together and just kind of figure it out. So, really happy for them, and it just says a lot about our team being able to sustain a level of play for a long period of time and we just have to continue that."
Mazzulla was also asked for his opinion of the new format in which teams will be picked live on the night of the All-Star Game.
"I don't care," he said.
However, Celtics guard Marcus Smart believes Mazzulla cares more about the game than he's letting on.
"He's definitely pumped about it," Smart told reporters, according to NBC Sports Boston. "First time being a head coach and you go to coach the All-Star Game, I don't see how you'd not be excited. But that's just Joe. He does a good job of really hiding his enthusiasm for certain things, and then other times, he lets you know."
The 2023 All-Star Weekend takes place Feb. 17-19 in Salt Lake City.