Why ‘Crazy’ Joe Mazzulla Wanted To ‘Fight’ Celtics’ Jayson Tatum

As if Celtics fans needed another reminder that Joe Mazzulla is wired differently.

Mazzulla is one of the more unique characters in all of basketball. So when Jayson Tatum appeared on the “New Heights” podcast, the Kelce brothers unsurprisingly asked what it was like to play for the NBA championship-winning head coach. Tatum recalled a recent incident with Mazzulla that — conveniently enough — involved the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.

“Joe is crazy,” Tatum. said. “We played Portland the other day, I got a tech. The game was basically over. I ended up getting a tech with like 30 seconds left. Joe comes up to me after the game. If you get like 16 or 17 techs, you get suspended for a game. So Joe’s like, ‘Yo, can you just get four more so you can get suspended?’ I’m like, ‘Joe, I think I’m done.’ He was like, ‘I would much rather you just come punch me. I wanna fight. I would love to fight.’ He’s like, ‘When Travis Kelce ran into Andy Reid — do that to me.'”

While it doesn’t sound like Tatum will technical foul his way into a suspension, he probably will miss a game or two for the Celtics down the stretch. The six-time All-Star sustained an ankle injury Monday night in Sacramento, and although it doesn’t appear to be serious, he noted the C’s plan to be “cautious” with the situation ahead of the playoffs.

And if Mazzulla was looking to scrap with his players following a late-March contest, we can only imagine what his intensity levels will be like once the postseason begins.