Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla doesn't want to be the center of attention. He prefers to uplift others and highlight what they do for the Celtics rather than talk about himself — even though he is the reigning NBA Coach of the Year.
Mazzulla sees the preseason as another opportunity to showcase what those around him are capable of, as he announced on Thursday morning that Celtics assistant coaches Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay will assume head coaching responsibilities during the Green Team's preseason clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dobbins will lead for the first half and MacLeay will take over in the second half. Meanwhile, Mazzulla plans on talking to the team's video coordinators and spending time with some of the players who'll
sit on Thursday night.
"I want to give them the opportunity to be able to just build themselves as coaches," Mazzulla said of the coaching change during shootaround in Cleveland, via Celtics on CLNS. "Both those guys had head coaching interviews this past summer, and I want them to be able to build on that. And also, I think it's good to watch the game from a different perspective."
Dobbins, MacLeay, and fellow Celtics assistant coach Tyler Lashbrook were all interviewed for head coaching jobs across the NBA this summer. They didn't win out, but perhaps this extra in-game experience will bolster their resume.
"Those guys will be out there, they'll be running the show, and (I'm) excited for them," Mazzulla continued. "I want them to continue to grow."
As for Boston's remaining preseason contests, Mazzulla said that he'll be back at the helm on Saturday night, when the Celtics host the rival Philadelphia 76ers, and for next Wednesday night, when the Charlotte Hornets come to Beantown.
Former Celtics champion and current Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell will serve as head coach for Boston's preseason finale against the Sixers on Saturday, October 10, in Philadelphia.
"I think we have one of the best staffs," Mazzulla praised. "So, anyway I can kind of help them (gain experience)."
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Joe Mazzulla announces coaching switch for Celtics preseason tilt vs. Cavs
