Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla appreciates Jayson Tatum’s balanced approach

By Khari A.

Thompson Jayson Tatum opened the season on a tear, putting up a pair of 37-point performances, shooting 48.6 percent from deep, and dishing out six assists per game over the first three games.

The Celtics forward earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors Monday, and coach Joe Mazzulla appreciates Tatums balanced approach.

I just like that hes playing balanced basketball, Mazzulla said ahead of Monday nights matchup against the Bucks at TD Garden.

His potential assists are up.

Hes not screening as much because hes handling, making good decisions in pick and rolls vs.

different coverages, so well get to that eventually.

But just the balanced attack on both ends of the floor and a good awareness of how hes being guarded and working to find where the advantage is, where the two-on-one is.

Hes good enough to impact the game every single night in all statistical areas, we just have to keep doing that.

Mazzulla shook his head and raised his arms slightly when asked about the lift Tatums hot start has provided the team.

He gives us a lift when hes out there all the time.

Hes a good player.

I dont know what to tell you, Mazzulla said.

Warm moment Bucks coach Doc Rivers said his phone started buzzing after Paul Pierce , Ray Allen , and Kevin Garnett reunited at the Celtics banner ceremony.

The 2007-08 champions all texted the former Celtics coach photos from opening night, which were welcome sights for Rivers.

Its cool, each guy sent me that picture separately, Rivers said.

I think they were trying to tell me, Hey, look at us, we get along.

It was hilarious.

I got a ping, and then I got a ping, and I got a ping, so it was pretty funny.

It was cool to see though.

It needed to be seen.

Theres a lot of cities and this city winning is pretty special, theres no doubt about that.

Coach Rondo Rivers interrupted a question about Rajon Rondo to issue a reminder about the former Celtics guards new role.

Coach Rondo.

Its coach Rondo, thank you, Rivers said.

Rondo, also an 07-08 champion, is serving as a guest coach on Riverss staff this season.

The team is still determining how much of a commitment that will entail.

I knew he would coach if he wanted to do that, Rivers said.

He definitely has the smarts.

Hes the smartest player Ive ever coached.

Its been a two-year thing with me trying to get him to do it.

Hes kind of dabbled in it.

He kind of looks at it.

Hes got a son, and thats at the core.

Its not that he wanted to be a coach, hes got a son thats a really talented player and hes working with him.

So, were crafting out a schedule right now to try to give him enough to be there and be with us.

Rivers said his goal was to get Rondo involved with and eventually hooked on coaching.

Spending training camp with the team was the first step.

He loves it, Rivers said.

Its in him and once it gets in you, it cant get out of you.

So, that was my goal and then the next steps are whatever happens.

Khari A.

Thompson Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com.

Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.

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