Joe Mazzulla, the head coach of the Boston Celtics, is not hesitant to share his daring ideas. While speaking on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub, he discussed his ideal NBA rule changes, which were far from conventional. Mazzulla expressed his desire to reintroduce fighting in the NBA, alluding to the more physical style of play from previous years.
“We’re depriving people of enjoyment,” Mazzulla declared. What could be more fun than a small fight?
A New Twist: The Power Play in Basketball
Mazzulla suggested adding a “power play” rule, like in hockey or soccer, in addition to advocating for the return of fighting. He proposed that specific fouls such as technicals or take fouls should result in teams playing with a five-on-four disadvantage for a brief period or a set number of passes.
Mazzulla clarified that basketball does not have a power play. There is no significant benefit if you fail to make a free throw following a shooting foul. By utilizing a power play, teams have the opportunity to be more tactical with their fouls, which can increase the level of excitement during the game.
Young, Fiery Coach Seeks Big Changes
At the age of 35, Joe Mazzulla is the NBA’s youngest head coach, recognized for his lively connections with players. During a noteworthy moment, he tried to prevent Royce O’Neale from scoring after a timeout, further solidifying his reputation for being fiercely competitive.
Although the NBA now emphasizes teamwork, Mazzulla’s preference for a rougher, less predictable style of play resonates with fans who long for the intense rivalries of the past. Nevertheless, the league is unlikely to implement such drastic changes in the near future. Currently, Mazzulla’s concepts offer an enjoyable preview of his thoughts on how to enhance the excitement of the game.
Joe Mazzulla, the head coach of the Boston Celtics, is not hesitant to share his daring ideas. While speaking on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub, he discussed his ideal NBA rule changes, which were far from conventional. Mazzulla expressed his desire to reintroduce fighting in the NBA, alluding to the more physical style of play from previous years.
“We’re depriving people of enjoyment,” Mazzulla declared. What could be more fun than a small fight?
A New Twist: The Power Play in Basketball
Mazzulla suggested adding a “power play” rule, like in hockey or soccer, in addition to advocating for the return of fighting. He proposed that specific fouls such as technicals or take fouls should result in teams playing with a five-on-four disadvantage for a brief period or a set number of passes.
Mazzulla clarified that basketball does not have a power play. There is no significant benefit if you fail to make a free throw following a shooting foul. By utilizing a power play, teams have the opportunity to be more tactical with their fouls, which can increase the level of excitement during the game.
Young, Fiery Coach Seeks Big Changes
At the age of 35, Joe Mazzulla is the NBA’s youngest head coach, recognized for his lively connections with players. During a noteworthy moment, he tried to prevent Royce O’Neale from scoring after a timeout, further solidifying his reputation for being fiercely competitive.
Although the NBA now emphasizes teamwork, Mazzulla’s preference for a rougher, less predictable style of play resonates with fans who long for the intense rivalries of the past. Nevertheless, the league is unlikely to implement such drastic changes in the near future. Currently, Mazzulla’s concepts offer an enjoyable preview of his thoughts on how to enhance the excitement of the game.
