Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla silenced the press room when he awkwardly dodged a reporter’s question during a press conference last weekend.
Mazzulla was asked for the first time in nearly half a century about the reverence for the NBA Finals featuring two black head coaches.
Both he and Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd are black.
“For the first time since 1975, this is the NBA Finals where you have two black head coaches,” began Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports.
“Given the plight, at times, of Black head coaches in the NBA, do you think this is an important moment? Are you proud of this? How do you view that or do you not see it at all?’ he asked Mazzulla.
Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla silenced the press room this weekend
He was asked about the significance of the NBA Finals having two black head coaches
The 35-year-old bizarrely dodged the question by touting his Christian faith in a very blunt answer.
“I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches,” he replied, before the room fell silent for almost ten seconds.
His response may have been a reference to the fact that Kidd also identifies as Catholic.
However, it is not the first time that Mazzulla, who became head coach in February 2023, has made religious references during conversations with reporters.
When Boston advanced to the NBA Finals last month, a reporter asked him, “Why is this the right time for this group?”
The last time there were two black head coaches in the NBA Finals was 1975
“I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches,” he replied, as the room fell silent
The Boston Celtics currently lead the Dallas Mavericks 2-0 in the series
He replied, “It is exactly where God has us now. We are all where we need to be and right now everyone’s mentality is to help each other and win.”
In 2022, he was asked if he had the opportunity to meet members of the British Royal Family who attended the Celtics’ game against the Miami Heat in November.
‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph?’ he replied, according to the Christian Post. “I only know one royal family.”
When the reporter clarified that she was talking about Prince William and Kate Middleton, Mazzulla joked: “I don’t know much about that.’
The Celtics defeated the Mavericks 105-98 in Game 2 at TD Garden this weekend, giving Boston a 2-0 lead in the series.