For the first time since 1975, the NBA Finals feature a Black head coach on each sideline, with Dallas' Jason Kidd opposing Boston's Joe Mazzulla. Al Attles (Golden State) and K.C. Jones (Washington) did it last in a 4-0 Warriors victory.
Jason Kidd and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver both discussed the significance of the accomplishment, the symbolism it may symbolize for the ongoing fight of Black coaches in these leadership roles, and what it means to them individually.
Joe Mazzulla, who is mixed race, chose to ignore it, prioritizing his religion over his racial identity. As per Yahoo Sports, “I wonder how many of those have been Christian coaches,” Mazzulla said when asked Saturday, essentially, if two Black coaches in the NBA Finals meant anything to him.
There was surprised quiet in the room since that seemed like an inappropriate response at the very least. Shockingly, and this may surprise Boston Celtics coach, it is possible to be both Black and Christian. He didn't go into detail about what it meant for him to be a Christian in this situation. He brought religion to the gathering but chose not to discuss it.
Joe Mazzulla's intended impact
It may be seen as utilizing that mechanism to bring any debate on the matter at hand to an abrupt halt. To be fair, there was no follow-up question, just an uneasy quiet which may have been Joe Mazzulla's intended impact.
Mazzulla isn't afraid to spar with the media, and when pressed, he comes out as quite thin-skinned. He doesn't appear bothered by the awkward quiet, and perhaps he enjoys embracing the strange that comes with this professional sports milieu. And he has mentioned his faith when questioned about things like the royal family attending a Boston Celtics game, so he puts it out there and wears it proudly, for what it's worth.
/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/DJ76bC2vYi4Vzfn88zsw.JPEG )
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/u2A22XWyh54D69pecqwC.jpg)