“You know I’m a bird brain…” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla SAVAGELY quotes Kendrick Perkins’ brutal criticism to shut down media

Joe Mazzulla started his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics.

“You know I’m a bird brain…” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla SAVAGELY quotes Kendrick Perkins’ brutal criticism to shut down media

Joe Mazzulla (Left) and Kendrick Perkins (Right) (via Open Source/X)

Despite facing media criticism both from journalists or ex-professionals, most NBA coaches choose to ignore it. However, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla took a different approach. He decided to retaliate against ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, who criticized him after the Celtics’ recent loss to the Nuggets.

Kendrick Perkins had earlier said this about the Celtics coach on an episode of the NBA Countdown,

They have two Joe Mazzullas. They have the one that got the philosophy of we’re going to get up more 3s than you. When they hit them, he looks great. Then you have the other Joe Mazzulla, who just stands over there, and you wonder. If you take his brain out and you put it in a bird, the bird is going to start flying backwards. You got that Joe Mazzulla.
YouTube video

Seated at the media podium, the coach reaffirmed the Celtics’ injury report, stating that Kristaps Porzingis was questionable, Luke Kornet was doubtful, and Al Horford was out. Playfully, a reporter asked if Mazzulla “could please give a doctor’s opinion on that,” to which he responded,

FS Video
I’m a bird brain. You know I can’t do that.

Joe Mazzulla started his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, before making the transition to interim head coach for the Celtics after Ime Udoka was suspended for the whole 2022–23 NBA season. Later, he was officially named the head coach on February 16, 2023.  

Coach Joe Mazzulla praises Derick White

On Tuesday night, the Boston Celtics secured a 129-124 victory over the Indiana Pacers, clinching a 3-2 regular-season series triumph against their Eastern Conference rival. Jayson Tatum shone offensively, scoring 30 points on 12/19 field goal shooting in a memorable night. However, it was Derrick White’s high-IQ defense that earned praise from head coach Joe Mazzulla after the game.

Joe Mazzulla and Derrick White
Joe Mazzulla (Left) and Derrick White (Right) (via Open Source/X)

Speaking to the press after the game, he said:

 He's a genius player. We've missed our foul to give call the last three times we've tried to use it, and credit to him for recognizing that and taking advantage of that.

In the final minute of a closely contested game with a one-possession margin, the Pacers initiated a transition up-court against an unprepared Celtics defense. Recognizing the situation, White fouled the Pacers’ ball-handler, utilizing Boston’s remaining foul.

Further impacting the game, White also executed a pivotal play by blocking Aaron Nesmith‘s shot with only 31 seconds remaining on the clock. This defensive effort disrupted the Indiana Pacers, culminating in a turnover due to a 24-second violation, sealing the Celtics’ victory.

This season, White is averaging 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as the Celtics sit at the summit of the Eastern Conference standings with a 37-11 record.

In case you missed it: