EMBRACE THE NOISE: Why Joe Mazzulla Doesn't Want Celtics To Avoid Negativity

Boston Celtics thrive amid mounting playoff pressure—Coach Joe Mazzulla insists “there’s no such thing as noise.” Can Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown keep their focus as national attention grows? John Karalis of Celtics on SI and Tom Westerholm of Boston.com dissect the Celtics’ mindset, exploring Mazzulla’s unique philosophy on embracing criticism and distraction, plus the mental toughness demanded from today’s NBA stars. Key topics include the surging Celtics-Knicks race for the No. 2 seed, playoff implications for Derrick White, and insights into locker room chemistry. The hosts reveal the wholesome—and secretly competitive—board game battles on team flights, spotlighting Payton Pritchard and teammates. Standings, playoff scenarios, and iconic anecdotes from past Celtics squads round out the conversation. Will the Celtics leverage their brotherhood to fuel a championship run, or will external “noise” disrupt their momentum?