'Grace Is Important': Celtics' Joe Mazzulla Speaks On Ime Udoka's Second Chance With Rockets
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets officially announced the hiring of coach Ime Udoka Tuesday evening. The announcement came amid the Boston Celtics' Game 5 contest against the Atlanta Hawks, the team Udoka led to the 2022 NBA Finals last June.
Joe Mazzulla was an assistant coach under Udoka during his lone season at the helm in Boston. But following his sudden departure after violating team policies, Mazzulla replaced Udoka as coach of the Celtics entering the 2022-23 campaign.
Mazzulla understands the importance of second chances due to the personal transgressions he had to overcome while expressing his appreciation when learning of Udoka's hiring.
"Second chances are important," Mazzulla said. "Grace is important. Forgiveness is important. I’m a product of a second chance. I think it’s important to have that in society...I think that as you grow as a person, you’re constantly having to build an identity."
Mazzulla's off-court issues hindered his collegiate playing days at West Virginia. He was arrested twice, which included charges of assault in April 2009. Mazzulla made the most of his second chance by expressing he is not the same person who made a pair of appalling mistakes 13 years ago.
After hearing the news of Udoka's hiring with the Rockets, Mazzulla said he texted his former boss to say congratulations and share his thankfulness for the one season they spent together.
"I always want guys to feel like they can grow as people or players wherever that may be," Mazzulla said. "I think that’s the most important thing to express to a staff and organization."
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