Joe Mazzulla Flew Too Close To The Sun, Shades Of Bill Belichick

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla

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I can't be the only one who immediately thought of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick benching starting cornerback Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII when I saw the starting lineup Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla decided to roll out in Game 7 of the first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Here's the thing: both coaches were the best in their respective fields. Joe Mazzulla is the best coach in the NBA. He is going to win Coach of the Year in the NBA, and for good reason.

But on the biggest stage, in the most can't-lose game in Celtics history, Mazzulla flew too close to the sun and cost his team and this city a shot at the NBA Championship.

The head coach decided to roll out a starting lineup that had never started a game together before for no reason other than he thought he was smarter than the 76ers.

Ron Harper Jr. earned his third start of his NBA career. He played just four minutes and left with a -7.

Luka Garza got the nod at center. He committed three fouls in his nine minutes, did not make a field goal and left with a -15.