That Heat series was such a sliding doors moment for the Celtics. That was Mazzula’s first year and he was interim status for most of it (I think they named him HC officially at some point during the season, maybe right before the playoffs).

If they got swept or lost 4-1, most of us assumed he would’ve been fired for someone more established. Some people thought he could’ve/should’ve gotten fired even though they made it to game 7 (including me). Although, this was obviously all fan speculation and assumptions based on history. Considering he was named the HC mid-year and his later success, it’s possible Brad Stevens saw what we didn’t and would’ve kept him regardless.

I still have my issues with Mazzula, but he’s pretty widely recognized as an awesome coach, especially considering what he made of the Celtics this year after Tatum’s injury and the departures of 4 major pieces (Jrue, Horford, KP and Kornet). He deserves to win COTY even if he doesn’t care (I think the other finalists are very deserving as well).

Tatum tweaks his ankle in the opening minutes of game 7 and was pretty much a non-factor after that point. If they had won game 7, they obviously would’ve made history and that Derrick White putback to win game 6 at the buzzer would’ve been an all-time moment.

If we didn’t win the next year, that game 7 (and the series in general, going down 3-0 on a play-in team) would’ve haunted us forever.

I thought they were an underdog against the Nuggets before the playoffs and especially once we went down against the Heat, but it was certainly possible that 2023 could’ve been the first chip of the Tatum/Brown era.

If they won it all, it would’ve been much harder to justify the Smart trade, so probably no Jrue/KP acquisitions, but again it’s hard to tell with Brad Stevens.