How Mazzulla took advantage of Jerry West’s tough love in college originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Before tipoff of Game 3 of the Finals, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla took time to reflect on a key interaction he had with NBA great Jerry West upon learning of West’s passing Wednesday morning at the age of 86 .
Mazzulla recalled a memorable moment from his freshman year at West Virginia, where West played college basketball after growing up in the state. As Mazzulla struggled on and off the field, West gave the young player a wake-up call.
“My freshman year in college, [I] didn’t meet anyone’s standards,” Mazzulla said. “I get a call and it’s Jerry. Lots of expletives, but he basically told me I was a f–up and that I was ruining an opportunity to be good at something and just let me have it for 10-15 minutes.
“I thought it was one of the most impactful calls I’ve had in my life.”
After winning three state titles in Rhode Island for Bishop Hendricken High School, Mazzulla headed south to play for West Virginia. He played a minimal role as a freshman and then posted stat lines of 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and just under a steal per game in Year 2. He also played a key role in West Virginia’s Duke offense in the match. second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
After a promising tournament run, Mazzulla was forced to redshirt for a year after undergoing shoulder surgery. Mazzulla returned in the 2009–10 season and posted perhaps the worst numbers of his career: 2.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game. West knew he could do better, so he gave him the motivational phone call of his life.
Mazzulla rebounded the following year and averaged career highs in almost every category during his senior season. Mazzulla was the starting lineup for half the season and averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and just shy of steals per game.
“I stuck with it [West’s] I overslept once in front of the open gym at UCLA,” Mazzulla added. “I went to breakfast and got my ass chewed again for not being competitive enough.
“What I remember about him is that he showed that he loved you in a hard way, but he was super, super competitive and he really cared about you very much and he showed it in a way that spoke in my language .He will be missed and my prayers are with the family.”
While his playing career ended at the collegiate level, Mazzulla’s coaching career took off. Now 35, Mazzulla is the youngest head coach since Bill Russell in 1969 – the year West became the first player on a losing team to take home the Finals MVP – to take his team to the NBA Finals.
