The statements of Joe Mazzulla
Recently, the coach of the Boston Celtics, Joe Mazzullasparked controversy with his statements about the lack of physicality in the NBA. During an interview on the program Zolak & BertrandMazzulla expressed his desire to bring physical contact back to the game, stating, “The biggest thing we steal from people from an entertainment standpoint is that you can’t fight anymore.” He also questioned why other sports, such as baseball and hockey, allow physical contact.
Draymond Green‘s response
The player of the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Greenresponded to Mazzulla’s statements on his program The Draymond Show. Green made it clear that he disagreed with the Celtics coach, stating: “I understand what Joe is trying to say, but actual physical contact, Joe – I’m here to petition against you.”
Green also reflected on the personal consequences that fighting can have, citing his famous clash with former teammate Jordan Poole.
The consequences of the clashes
Green spoke openly about the incident with Poole, which occurred during a practice and was captured on video, which had a significant impact on team chemistry. “Where [i combattimenti] they almost took me, I don’t want any of that,” Green said. “I’ll leave it up to Joe to fight.” This episode led to a distance between Green and Poole, with the Warriors player feeling the need to distance himself after the incident. “When it happened, I really needed to do it. And this way, you lose a lot, but once you do, it’s hard to go back.”
Green’s words highlight not only the differences of opinion on physicality in the game, but also the complex dynamics that can arise within a team. The issue of physicality in the NBA continues to be a topic of debate among players, coaches and fans, and the opinions of figures like Green and Mazzulla contribute to a larger conversation about how the game is evolving over time.
