New Celtics Center Has High Opinion Of Joe Mazzulla

The Boston Celtics kicked off their training camp on Tuesday, and a new player is already excited to play for head coach Joe Mazzulla.

Celtics on CLNS reporter Noa Dalzell asked center Luka Garza about his early impressions of Mazzulla and the coaching staff.

“Every time he says something, it’s just incredibly impactful,” Garza said Tuesday. “He has that fire that makes you want to run through a brick wall for him.”

Boston signed Garza to a two-year, $5.5 million contract this offseason. Garza spent the first four years of his NBA career playing for the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves.

In Minnesota, Garza played under Chris Finch, a highly regarded head coach. However, it appears that he and Mazzulla have notably different personalities. Finch seems more laid back, while Mazzulla wants to fire everyone up and act like one of the players.

Garza will have the opportunity to join Boston’s rotation this season, which will be a new experience for him. The 26-year-old center has played in only 92 out of a possible 328 games, so he will need Mazzulla to motivate him to bring his best effort.