Celtics’ Derrick White Says Joe Mazzulla Refuses to Let Team Grow Complacent in Training Camp
The Boston Celtics entered training camp this week with high expectations, coming off a dominant 2024–25 campaign and boasting one of the most complete rosters in the NBA. Yet, despite the excitement surrounding their depth, talent, and championship potential, Celtics guard Derrick White made it clear that head coach Joe Mazzulla is not allowing anyone in the locker room to relax.
Speaking after Wednesday’s practice session, White highlighted Mazzulla’s unrelenting approach. “Joe just doesn’t let us get comfortable,” White said. “Even when we execute things the right way, he’s quick to point out where we can be sharper. That’s what makes him different—he wants us to push past good and chase great.”
Training camp is often the time when veterans lean on routine and younger players adapt to system demands. For Boston, though, it’s been an early testing ground of intensity. Mazzulla, who is entering his third season as head coach, has embraced a culture where no detail is too small to refine.
Observers noted the sharp tempo of drills, frequent interruptions for teaching moments, and a focus on situational basketball rather than generic scrimmages. “There’s not a single possession Joe lets slide,” White explained. “If we don’t rotate on defense, if we don’t sprint back, if we take a bad shot—he stops everything. It’s all about holding each other accountable.”
This echoes the message Mazzulla delivered during media day: the Celtics cannot afford to measure themselves by past success. With teams like Milwaukee, New York, and Philadelphia strengthening their rosters, complacency is a luxury Boston simply cannot afford.
The Celtics enter the 2025–26 season with arguably their deepest roster of the Jayson Tatum–Jaylen Brown era. The front office secured critical depth at both guard and forward spots while keeping the team’s core intact. With Tatum continuing to evolve as a leader and Brown coming off a career-best season, expectations around Boston are as high as they’ve ever been.
But Mazzulla knows that talent alone doesn’t win championships. White emphasized that the coach has hammered home the theme of discipline and execution. “We all know what’s at stake,” White said. “We want to bring another championship back to Boston, and Joe’s making sure we don’t lose sight of the work that takes.”
The Celtics’ strong finish last season could have created a false sense of security. Instead, Mazzulla has chosen to double down on intensity. According to reports, he’s experimenting with lineups that emphasize defensive versatility, ball movement, and late-game decision-making.
White believes this attention to detail will make the difference once the season tips off. “It’s not about just getting wins in October or November,” he said. “Joe is already preparing us for what happens in May and June.”
Boston’s storied history weighs heavily on every era of Celtics basketball. With 17 championships already in the trophy case, fans measure success differently here. Mazzulla has embraced that responsibility, refusing to allow his team to settle for anything less.
