Celtics' Joe Mazzulla has one clear goal heading into new season
The Boston Celtics have given up 49 offensive rebounds in three preseason games. They've struggled to limit opposing teams to single-shot possessions. In the last two outings, head coach Joe Mazzulla has resorted to immediately pulling players off the floor if they miss a defensive board or fail to box out.
Mazzulla is clearly sending a message to his young and primarily unproven roster: Defensive rebounding is a non-negotiable under his leadership. Unfortunately for Boston and Mazzulla, they don't have a wealth of defensive rebounding talent at their disposal.
During a Sunday postgame news conference following the Celtics' 138-107 win over a depleted Cleveland Cavaliers roster, Mazzulla explained how his primary goal right now is to find a five-man lineup capable of securing the defensive glass.
"Five guys on the floor, everyone is responsible for rebounding," Mazzulla said. "...Everybody knows if it's a 50/50 loose ball, you go get it. ...Will, technique, whatever you gotta do, you do it."
Asked Joe Mazzulla about whether he sees rebounding as simply an effort thing.
“Five guys on the floor — everyone is responsible to rebound.”
“It’s everything — will, technique. Whatever you got to do you do.”pic.twitter.com/bDXHmD2ViV — Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) October 13, 2025
Last season, Jayson Tatum was arguably Boston's best defensive rebounder. With him out due to an Achilles injury, and the primary big man
Celtics need rebounds to play at their new pace
Defensive rebounding is essential to controlling the pace of a game. If teams can get two or three shots on multiple offensive possessions, it's hard to get out and flow into your early offensive sequences.
The more a team dominates on your glass, the easier it becomes to start looking for home run plays — especially on younger, less experienced teams. Mazzulla is a championship-winning head coach. He will have a clear idea of what he wants from his team and how he envisions this iteration of the roster performing. The hard part is coaching everyone up and instilling the grit they need to become a force on the glass.
Interestingly, the Celtics haven't had any problems crashing the offensive boards. So, it's not an issue of rebounding talent, but rather positioning, execution and physicality. All of those things are teachable attributes.
The Celtics aren't expected to compete this season. Making the playoffs would arguably be an overperformance from the franchise. However, that doesn't mean Mazzulla won't demand everybody's very best, especially in the hustle and effort areas.
Therefore, we should expect him to continue to toy with his lineups and rotations because until he finds some consistent resistance on the glass, the Celtics will be playing off the back foot. If we've learned one thing over the last three years, it's that reactive basketball isn't what Mazzulla strives for from his team.
How Red Sox ‘Hurt Themselves' With Jarren Duran Trade Decision
The Boston Red Sox enjoyed a surprising turnaround this year after trading away franchise slugger Rafael Devers, reaching the playoffs for the first time in four years.
But after a first-round loss to the rival New York Yankees, the Red Sox might be wondering what other moves they could have made to improve the roster.
Throughout the year, the Red Sox seemed to be on the cusp of trading away outfielder Jarren Duran, as they faced a logjam in the outfield position and other teams valued his contract controllability. But ultimately, the Red Sox hung onto him, and could now be regretting it.
"The Red Sox blew two great chances to trade Jarren Duran when his value was sky high," according to The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy. "They hurt themselves by waiting too long on Duran."
Shaughnessy noted that the Red Sox could have commanded "a bundle" for Duran had they traded him after last year's breakout season and that this past trade deadline was another good chance to sell high on him. Now, though, he's coming off of a harsh postseason that could reduce his potential trade value.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are still facing a crowded outfield, with Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu all set to compete for time next year. As a result, the team might still seek a trade of Duran, though he won't command the same kind of return that he would have last winter.
“Jarren Duran did not come close to replicating his 8.7 WAR breakout performance from 2024," Joe Reuter wrote for Bleacher Report. "However, the Red Sox will enter the 2026 season with an abundance of outfielders … and after a summer of trade rumblings Duran could again be one of the most talked about players on the market."
The Red Sox might regret holding onto Duran for this long, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't entertain a lesser offer for their surplus outfielder this winter.
