Inside the Rhode Island village that raised Joe Mazzulla – and eventually, the Larry O’Brien trophy

PROVIDENCE — As he walked down the steps of the Rhode Island State Capitol, Joe Mazzulla cradled the Larry O’Brien trophy, with Queen’s “We’re the Champions” blasting within the background.

On paper, Tuesday morning’s goal was easy: for the Celtics group to rejoice Banner 18 with lawmakers and locals from the state of Rhode Island, a gathering that was initiated by Governor Dan McKee.

In actuality, it was a celebration of Joe Mazzulla and the facility of neighborhood.

As Mazzulla made his means towards a crowd of legislators, he was accompanied by Governor McKee, who rocked a “No matter it takes” Celtics T-shirt, and Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca. The trio — every outstanding in their very own distinctive means — addressed the eclectic crowd, which included dozens of state policymakers, native media, and die laborious Celtics followers.

The second conveyed a sentiment that Mazzulla holds close to and pricey to his coronary heart: the Celtics 2024 championship is for your complete area.

“One of many targets of profitable the championship is connecting the Celtic identification to the neighborhood,” Mazzulla mentioned to the group. “That was an enormous aim of mine this season — reconnecting to town of Boston, and actually reconnecting the identification. One in every of my targets is when individuals watch the Celtics, they see the Metropolis of Boston, they see New England, they see that toughness, that mindset. That’s the basketball that I noticed rising up.”

The distinctive factor about this explicit gathering was that the group members had been overwhelmingly individuals who knew — and beloved — Joe Mazzulla rising up. The 36-year-old has deep roots in Rhode Island; he grew up in Johnson, went to highschool in Warwick, and his late father, Dan, was a beloved basketball coach. Although he left RI at age 17, Mazzulla made clear that these early years had been foundational.

“That is very thrilling,” Kristen Mazzulla, Joe’s aunt, advised CelticsBlog after the ceremony had concluded. “It’s one thing that I by no means thought would occur, but it surely’s actuality. It’s nonetheless sinking in.”

Joe Mazzulla’s championship celebration was a celebration of neighborhood

“Joey!” one man yelled out as followers lined as much as take photographs with the Celtics’ coach.

Mazzulla smiled as the 2 made eye contact. It was a well-known face: an previous household buddy and highschool referee, Paul Giarruso, donning a black shirt with the phrase “Italy” pasted throughout it.

“I like your shirt,” Mazzulla mentioned with a smile.

For Mazzulla, coming again to Rhode Island with a championship trophy in hand was a very significant expertise: slightly child who grew up a large Celtics fan in Johnston, Rhode Island was now again within the state that raised him, decked out with the last word prize.

“Day-after-day I drive into the ability and nonetheless pinch myself slightly bit with gratitude and, you recognize, ‘How the hell did I get right here?’” Mazzulla advised the group.

Tuesday’s occasion was centered on the understanding that Mazzulla didn’t obtain this alone.

First, he thanked the Celtics group: “Individuals don’t actually perceive what goes into organizational management, organizational alignment. The Celtics are one of many high organizations on the earth from high to backside. Everyone seems to be on the identical web page.”

Then, he credited the individuals of Rhode Island for contributing to the village that helped increase him. He returned to the New England space 4 years in the past as a coach for the Celtics, and has since had the prospect to reconnect with individuals from all sides of his life.

“It’s been actually cool coming again with my spouse, with my youngsters… continuously working into those that received me rides, purchased me lunch, babysat me, got here to my video games, supported me after I was in CYO, in highschool, who knew my father, who knew my household,” Mazzulla mentioned. “To simply reconnect and rekindle these relationships, to get again to the inspiration of who I’m and the place I’m from, has been one of many best items that I’ve gotten.”

It appeared like each individual within the crowd had some kind of connection to Joe Mazzulla, whether or not direct or extra convoluted. Those that needed to spend a couple of minutes explaining simply how they had been linked to the championship coach did so with a self-aware grin.

“I don’t wish to be a kind of individuals – oh he’s my greatest buddy. Everyone acts like he’s their greatest buddy,” mentioned Kyle Norigian, chuckling. He did clarify, although, his personal, distinctive connection to the Mazzulla household: he coached basketball with Joe’s father, Dan, till his passing, and was beforehand coached by Joe’s uncle, Anthony, for 8 years.

“In Johnson, all people’s shut,” Norigian mentioned. “It’s going to by no means be regular seeing Joey up there.”

To celebration of the Celtics’ championship, he introduced his younger nephew, Nick Gionis, to the occasion, who sported an genuine Mazzulla West Virginia College jersey that caught Joe’s consideration when the 2 posed for a mid-speech picture.

Norigian, who was thrilled his nephew received the photo-op, described the Celtics tradition in Rhode Island as “obsessive,” and famous that nobody might have predicted what Mazzulla was in a position to accomplish so early in his profession.

“Did I anticipate him to get right here? He’s 36 and he simply gained a championship. I don’t suppose anyone expects that of anyone. It’s the good factor I’ve ever seen, actually. It’s superior.”

Nonetheless, the Mazzulla household is unsurprised at Joe’s success

Joe Mazzulla mentioned that spending time in Rhode Island as an grownup led to 2 revelations.

“You begin to understand – one, how a lot of a ache within the ass I used to be and two, how many individuals went into ensuring I received to the place I’m at the moment.”

Amongst people who had been there from the start was Joe’s aunt, Kristen Mazzulla, who maintained her confidence in her nephew by no means wavered.

“I did see this for him. I noticed him both taking part in skilled basketball or being a coach someplace,” Kristen mentioned. “Since he was little – that is what I noticed for him.”

Governor McKee’s workplace

Her highschool daughter, Anna Mazzulla, additionally endorsed her older cousin’s character.

“He’s simply, like, the sweetest individual ever,” she mentioned. “He’s very humble and all the way down to earth. Some individuals may say, ‘Oh, he by no means smiles, he by no means does this.’ However deep down, he’s not what he appears. He’s truly very good, caring – he’ll do something for anyone.”

Earlier than the occasion concluded and the picture-taking started, Joe made certain to take a household picture on the steps of the State Home.

After which, he delivered a last message of gratitude.

“Thanks to everybody who, in these 17 years, has helped me get to the place I’m. Thanks to the state of Rhode Island for these individuals.”