- Miami Heat’s latest update on Tyler Herro indicates he still has key hurdle to clear before returning
- Steve Kerr breaks down key adjustment Miami Heat made en route to Game 2 victory over Denver Nuggets
- Mike Malone goes off on Denver Nuggets players after Game 2 loss to Miami Heat
- Gabe Vincent claps back at doubters after Miami Heat steal Game 2 vs. Denver Nuggets
- Miami Heat release definitive updates on Caleb Martin and Tyler Herro for Game 2 vs. Denver Nuggets
- Donovan Mitchell says Bam Adebayo is a top 5 defender in the NBA
- Magic Johnson says Pat Riley wants to win 1 more ring in the ‘worst way’
- Kevin Love’s team-first message on getting relegated to bench role for Miami Heat in NBA Playoffs
- Jimmy Butler rebukes huge misconception about Nikola Jokic
- Jimmy Butler’s supremely confident message with Miami Heat being down 0-1 to Denver Nuggets
Joe Mazzulla downplays Miami Heat’s culture ahead of Eastern Conference Finals series with Boston Celtics
- Updated: May 17, 2023
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla appeared to downplay the Miami Heat’s culture ahead of the teams’ matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals.
“I mean everybody has a culture,” Mazzulla said. “I think we have ours as well. Both teams have shown that they’re able to get through good times and bad. And that says a lot about the players in the organization, more than anything.”
Heat fans and players have praised Miami’s winning culture for getting the most of players, even when other teams have passed on them. Miami currently has undrafted free agents such as Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Haywood Highsmith all making impacts for the team in the playoffs.
There’s no doubt that Boston has established a strong culture as well, as the team has consistently made deep runs in the playoffs, especially since drafting forward Jayson Tatum.
In fact, this season’s series will be the third time in four seasons that the Heat and Celtics meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. That’s an impressive accomplishment from both teams and their respective cultures.
The path to the Eastern Conference Finals has been different for both teams this season.
The Celtics entered the playoffs with the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and have widely been considered one of the favorites to win the NBA Finals after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals last season.
Miami, on the other hand, made the playoffs by way of the play-in tournament, ending up with the No. 8 seed. The Heat shocked just about everyone in the NBA by upsetting the Milwaukee Bucks in just five games in the first round of the playoffs. Then, they defeated the New York Knicks in six games in the second round.
Jimmy Butler has been terrific for the Heat in the playoffs, averaging 31.1 points per game, but the team has gotten contributions up and down the roster to make it to this point.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley have built a winning culture that has stood for many years, and this year’s team is no different.
The Heat will look to show Mazzulla and the Celtics what their culture is all about starting in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night in Boston.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login