Zolak & Bertrand: Joe Mazzulla on how he defines an All-Star player

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joined Zolak & Bertrand and discussed how he defines an "All-Star", and whether or not a guy like Derrick White, and not just Tatum and Brown, could represent the Celtics at the All-Star Game in February:

"My number one goal, especially for our team-- you have a group of guys who are talented, our entire roster, you have to be able to define what quote unquote "All-Star level" looks like. Because I think in today it's just strictly about points and, clickbait and how can you just generate attention from fans and like, we've really got to take a look at what it means to be an All-Star, in my opinion, and how you truly affect the game and how you affect your team and your value to the team. And we have so many guys that have the highest of value, and they're willing to put aside what may look like stats to be a great player and have impact on the game. And you take a look at boh [Derrick] White and Tatum. It's like you know how many superstars do you know that want to be defined by both defense and offense, by playmaking, by being a great teammate, by doing all those things.? And we have a bunch of guys that are like that top to bottom. And I think D-White is an All-star because he's on the other team's best players throughout the entire game. He can defend on ball, off ball, block shots. His ability to make timely momentum plays. He can score off the dribble and pick and roll, catch and shoot. And so, we have a bunch of guys that can do that night in and night out. And, they're starting to see how they positively impact each other. Yeah. I do think he is because of the right reasons, in my opinion, of what an All-Star is."

We all know the Boston Celtics have been one of the best teams in the league the past few seasons but have struggled to get over the hump when it matters most. This year is no different but this Celtics team might be. The Celtics biggest opponent this year is the Celtics. Some people attribute them not being able to get over the hump to coaching, others attribute it to the young core of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown not being able to win yet but this year feels different. Whether you were a Marcus Smart lover or a Marcus Smart hater, there’s no denying that the additions of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday have been major additions for the Celtics. These additions have them looking like the most complete Celtics team in years. To me the Celtics team is far away the best team in the league and their biggest opponents down the stretch won’t be any other team in the league but it’ll be their own health and late game management.

The difference between the Celtics this year and last year that has me so confident in them making the finals is in large part due to Porzingis and Holiday. But the real reason why is the growth of Tatum and Brown while Derrick White continues to ascend. Boston looks like a different team this year whether it's late game comebacks or Brown locking in defensively there are many reasons to feel confident in this years team compared to years past. Porzingis gives the Celtics something they haven't had in years past in a true third option that other teams have to game plan for on a nightly basis. While Holiday is quarterbacking the teams defense and has started to look more and more comfortable as the season goes on.

The new additions are great but at the end of the day this Celtics season will still come down to how Tatum and Brown perform down the stretch. The Celtics two young superstars are starting to become not so young anymore and now the window of opportunity is open and real for them to start capitalizing on. Tatum and Brown have always been special individual talents but how well they played together seemed to be an issue especially in the playoffs in late game situations. However this season has felt different whether it's the additions of Charles Lee and Sam Cassell to the coaching staff or simply the two understanding each other more it's all very encouraging for Celtics fans.

For me the biggest concerns for this years Celtics team are far and away health and late game management. The struggles in late game management are nothing new, fans know how badly this team has been plagued in the playoffs in late game situations. This is where I think the addition of Holiday will show up most strongly for Boston as the season goes on. Holiday is already looking more and more comfortable within the team but his strengths are ball handling, defense and his mental understanding of the game.

All things that will be paramount in the Celtics quest for another title. The other concern is health and at the top of that list is the health of Porzingis and Al Horford. Boston is already thin at power forward and center so any injury to these two would be devastating for a playoff push. With Porzingis injury history it's something that can't be overlooked as he's already missed a handful of games this season for minor ailments Boston will hope to keep him in bubble wrap until the playoffs. I realize these are two major concerns that can't be overlooked but if Boston can stay healthy and continue to gel as the season goes on there's no reason to think they won't be in the NBA Finals again this season.

Boston can still add at the trade deadline as it's a little more than a week away to bolster their depth. Brad Stevens is known to work quietly so while we might not have any concrete rumors yet I'm sure he has something up his sleeve to solidify Boston's roster for the deep playoff run we all expect them to go on. Boston has had a near perfect season to this point so expectations should be high and I can't remember ever feeling this confident in a Celtics team so it's all on their shoulders now. If they stay healthy and Tatum, Brown and Porzingis all stay healthy I see no reason for them not to at the very least be battling for the Larry O'Brien trophy at the end of the season.