Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is keeping his edge in the wildest way, literally hitting MMA gyms in "almost every city" the team travels to during the NBA season. This dude is serious about his Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and he is not letting travel stop him from training.
Mazzulla's "Fighter's Mind" Gives the Celtics an Edge
Mazzulla, a longtime practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, spilled the beans to Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani about his unique road routine. He views it as essential for staying fresh, both mentally and physically. "It's the fighter's mind," Mazzulla explained. "I think I have a lot of respect for the fighter, and when we're in other cities, it's us against the city. It's us against not just that team, but the arena, that city." He believes this mindset translates directly to coaching, giving him "that little fighter mentality" and helping "grow a little bit of an edge." And hey, he enjoys it too!Commitment to the Craft: From 2017 to Chasing the Championship
This isn't some new fad for Mazzulla either. He first got into Brazilian jiu-jitsu back in 2017 and then really doubled down on his training once he took over as head coach of the Celtics in 2022. As he gears up to lead the Celtics on another chase for the NBA championship next season, Mazzulla is clearly all-in on finding every possible advantage. He is going to keep trying to grow as a head coach, and apparently, that means getting some mat time on the road. Mazzulla's gearing up to lead the Celtics for another championship chase next season, so you know every little bit helps. He's trying to grow as a head coach, and this commitment to his craft, even on the road, shows just how dedicated he is to winning.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.