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Joe Mazzulla reveals the question Blake Griffin asked him on the Boston Celtics that left him stunned

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Bergas Agung | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Joe Mazzulla has coached numerous elite players during his time with the Boston Celtics, but one veteran left the deepest impression on him.

The coach guided stars like Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White to a championship.

However, it was Blake Griffin who truly stunned Mazzulla with his approach to leadership. Griffin’s tenure in Boston lasted just one season at the twilight of his career, but his impact resonated far beyond his on-court contributions.

Griffin’s humility surprises Mazzulla despite superstar pedigree

The former number one pick impressed Joe Mazzulla with his willingness to embrace a reduced role while maintaining championship standards.

Griffin’s humility caught the coach off guard given his decorated career achievements.

“They all did it their own way. An underlying one [leader] that I coached was Blake Griffin. He became just an amazing guy, and his ability to lead in actions and in words,” Mazzulla explained during a recent interview.

The coach admitted his initial concerns about managing such an accomplished player: “I was like, how am I going to coach this guy, he’s a former number one pick, it’s Blake Griffin. It motivated me when he came to me and said ‘how can I get better?’”

Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The veteran’s selfless approach creates lasting championship culture

Mazzulla emphasized how Griffin’s attitude shaped the Celtics‘ mentality: “For a guy of his stature and where he’s been, to have the foresight to say, hey I want to get better, that was huge.”

Griffin’s statistical production remained modest during his Boston stint. The 33-year-old averaged 4.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 13.9 minutes per game, starting 16 of his 41 appearances.

The numbers don’t tell the complete story of Griffin’s outfield contribution. Aside from helping to create the culture that ultimately led to Boston’s title run, Griffin also recently gave advice to the recent number one pick Cooper Flagg.

Championship impact extends beyond statistics for aging superstar

Mazzulla praised Griffin’s team-first mentality throughout the season: “Every time he talked, and the decisions that he made, weren’t about him. They were about winning.”

Griffin’s impressive career resume includes six All-Star selections, five All-NBA honors, and one Rookie of the Year award. Injuries prevented him from reaching even greater heights during his prime years with the Clippers.

The veteran’s willingness to sacrifice personal glory for team success exemplified the championship mindset that helped to define Boston’s title-winning season.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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