Joe Mazzulla’s coaching has, and will continue to be, a point of focus for potential scrutiny during the NBA Playoffs. The first-year 34-year-old coach is the youngest coach in the NBA and made some questionable decisions in Round 1 against Atlanta.
The first was Grant Williams’ usage (or lack thereof). I mean, I understand the initial thought process behind trying to avoid Grant having to defend quick, shifty perimeter players like Dejounte Murray and Trae Young. But, when he comes in for 18 minutes in Game 3, goes 4-4 from three, and doesn’t look like a defensive liability, something should probably change – was there ANYTHING he could have done in those 18 minutes to warrant playing time?