The Boston Celtics are entering a transitional season. All-Star Jayson Tatum is expected to miss most, if not the entire season, while rehabbing a ruptured right Achilles tendon. The team also made significant roster changes in the off-season, as Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford departed.
One of the Celtics’ team leaders discussed whether the roster changes have altered head coach Joe Mazzulla’s approach.
Celtics Star Derrick White Gives His Take on Joe Mazzulla
While meeting with the media following the Celtics’ 138-107 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, White was asked if Mazzulla has changed his approach. White said ” A little bit, we’ve got a bunch of new guys and people that are hungry for opportunities. Not as much experience as we did the last couple of years. Just having that hunger. A lot of guys are getting an opportunity for maybe their first time in their career.”
Derrick White was asked if Joe Mazzulla is coaching this group different this year:
“Oh yeah, a little bit…A lot of guys that are getting an opportunity, for maybe their 1st time in their career, or we’re counted out at a different spot and, just going out here and…Joe’s on… pic.twitter.com/hyH2YFKyZz
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) October 13, 2025
After being a member of the Gold Medal winning USA basketball team last summer, White entered last season as a dark horse All-Star candidate. He averages a career high 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game last season. He also shot 38.4% from three, the second-highest mark of his career.
White ranked in the NBA’s top 10 in plus/minus rating at +540. He improved his scoring in the playoffs, averaging 18.8 points per game and perhaps offering a glimpse into his potential production this season with Tatum sidelined.
Among the newcomers to watch is guard Anfernee Simons, whom the Celtics acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Holiday trade. After averaging over 20 points per game the previous two seasons with the Trail Blazers, Simons took a step back last season, averaging 19.3 points per game. However, most alarming was Simons’ true shooting percentage dropped to an inefficient 55.7 %.
Portland decided that Simons was no longer part of the future, and he may not be part of the Celtics’ future either. With Simons on an expiring contract, and the team not expected to re-sign him, there’s rumors the Celtics could trade Simons closer to the deadline.
Defense is one of Mazzulla’s core principles, and the Celtics are one of the league’s best defensive teams. Simons has a below-average career defensive rating of 120.4, which highlights why he’s probably not a great long-term fit.
Anfernee Simons, em termos ofensivos, é tudo que o Boston Celtics de Joe Mazzulla adoraria em um pontuador do perímetro.
O volume e a qualidade dos seus chutes de três… cara que vai se valorizar.
21 PTS e 6 bolas triplas na vitória contra Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/16v0a0vmoQ
— Pisou Na Linha | NBA 🏀🇧🇷 (@pisounalinha) October 13, 2025
2024 first-round pick Baylor Scheierman will likely see an expanded role with Tatum out indefinitely. The development of rookie shooting guard Hugo Gonzalez will also be an intriguing story as the season progresses. The Celtics selected Gonzalez with the 28th overall pick in this past summer’s draft, and Mazzulla said he’s constantly learning what’s expected of him in the team’s system.
Mazzulla is known as a great motivator, and this season may be his biggest challenge yet.
