If there’s one other X-factor that Tatum believes shouldn’t be ignored in assessing the Celtics’ title possibilities, it’s head coach Joe Mazzulla. “He’s the most effective coach within the NBA, although he’ll by no means admit that,” Tatum says. Mazzulla’s brilliance as a play caller is usually overshadowed by his behavior of dropping unintentionally hilarious one-liners in interviews, which Tatum admits the locker room will get a kick out of. “We laugh [about it],” he says. “Like, we love to watch his press conferences.” I ask Tatum about his favourite factor Mazzulla has ever stated to him. “He at all times tells me that he loves me,” he shares. “He’ll say it on follow days or in the midst of a recreation throughout a timeout. It’ll be the third quarter of a playoff recreation, a really intense environment, and he’ll say ‘Simply need you to know I really like you, man.’” -via GQ.com / April 29, 2025
