Boston Celtics players couldn't help but give each other knowing smiles this week when first-year coach Joe Mazzulla had his drop-the-mic moment.
For three years, Mazzulla was one of those assistant coaches who built deep relationships with players. His job in Boston was mostly player development, which meant hours of one-on-one work after practices and before games that created bonds.
It also meant that, away from the gym, he was in the card games and the board games and, perhaps most intensely, the ping pong games. He was involved in a way head coaches and veteran assistants usually aren't with players.