Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla repeats 2-Word criticism for referees

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Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla's Frustration with Referees Boils Down to Simple "Illegal Screen"

Joe Mazzulla's post-game reaction after the Boston Celtics' 98-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers was characteristically blunt. When asked about the final couple of possessions, Mazzulla simply said "illegal screen" - a phrase he repeated when questioned further.

The comment likely refers to Pascal Siakam's last-ditch effort to score a game-winning floater against defender Derrick White in the final seconds of play. It was a move that sparked controversy, and one that has seen Celtics star Jaylen Brown criticizing officials following their previous loss to the San Antonio Spurs, for which he was fined $35,000.

The tension between Mazzulla and the referees is not new. The NBA's officiating issues have been a topic of discussion all season, with teams feeling frustrated by inconsistent calls. For Mazzulla, however, it seems like his exasperation has boiled down to two simple words: "illegal screen".

While the Celtics' loss was tough, they remain one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference standings. With a 24-15 record, they are just three spots behind the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. Despite losing Jayson Tatum to a season-ending Achilles tear, younger players like Neemias Queta, Anfernee Simons, and Jordan Walsh have stepped up to fill the void.

For the Celtics' playoff hopes, every game counts - and so does every call made by the referees. The NBA's midseason point is upon us, and it's clear that officiating will play a significant role in determining which teams make the playoffs.
 
🤔 I don't buy it. Just because Mazzulla says "illegal screen" over and over again doesn't mean it wasn't subjective judgment from the refs. We need to see some video footage of that floater by Siakam, or at least an explanation from the officials themselves. 35k fine for Jaylen Brown for criticizing officials is a pretty big slap in the mouth too 🤑
 
I'm totally stoked about the Celtics' situation right now 🤩! I mean, they've got some great young talent coming up through the ranks, like Neemias Queta and Anfernee Simons, who are really stepping up to fill the void left by Jayson Tatum's injury. And let's be real, their record isn't bad at all - 24-15 is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you consider they're only three spots behind the top teams in the Eastern Conference standings.

But here's the thing: I think Mazzulla's frustration with the refs is totally valid 🤬. I mean, we've all been there where a call just doesn't seem right, and it can make or break a game. And let's be real, the NBA's officiating has been pretty spotty this season - some calls are spot on, but others are just plain weird.

I think what really gets Mazzulla's goat is that he knows his team deserves better 🤔. They're not getting any younger, and they need those close games to go their way if they want to stay in the hunt for the playoffs. So yeah, I'm totally on Mazzulla's side here - bring on the midseason point, and let's see how the refs hold up!
 
I don't get why Mazzulla is so fixated on "illegal screen". Is there any footage of Pascal Siakam actually setting an illegal screen? 🤔 I need to see some proof before I believe it was that simple for him to call it out like that. And what about the other calls he got wrong? Did he just ignore them or what? The NBA's officiating is already a joke, can't we at least get some consistency here? 💁‍♂️
 
omg i feel joe mazzulla 🤯 he's just trying to get some clarity on those refs but it's like they're not making it easy for him 😩 illegal screen is literally just 1 thing, can't we all agree on that? 💁‍♂️ anyway, celtics fans should be worried about officiating with the playoffs coming up. every game matters and if the refs are off their game, it could make or break a team's season 🤞
 
Ugh, can't believe those refs are at it again... I mean, I get it, Pascal's floater was close, but come on! You've got to draw the line somewhere 🤦‍♂️. Mazzulla's right, though - that was a bad call, and it cost them the game. And I'm not just talking about this one play, either. The whole officiating thing in the NBA is a mess. They need to get their act together before the playoffs are over 🚫. I mean, Jaylen Brown got fined for criticizing officials last time, but what's the harm in speaking up? It's like they're trying to intimidate players into not complaining about bad calls... it's just not right 😒. Anyway, gotta keep an eye on these Celtics - they're still a tough team with some young talent coming up through the ranks 👍
 
idk man... I think the refs are doing their job... but at the same time, like, what if they're not? 🤷‍♂️ we all know the NBA is struggling with inconsistent calls and it's gonna affect the outcome of games... but on the other hand, Mazzulla is being super dramatic about that one screen... maybe he's just salty about losing 😒
 
omg i feel for joe mazzulla 🤦‍♂️ those refs can be super inconsistent at times! i had to watch this game too and man, that last sec was crazy 😱 i get why he'd be frustrated tho, an illegal screen should've been called for sure 👀 but at the same time, it's not like it's a new thing in the nba... still, gotta keep at 'em 🙄
 
I don't usually comment but I think it's crazy how much of an impact one call can have on a team's momentum 🤯. Like, for Mazzulla to say "illegal screen" just highlights how frustrated he is with the officiating, and honestly, who can blame him? It's not like it's a new issue - the whole league knows about the inconsistent calls. But still, one game can change the tide of your season if you're not getting the breaks 🤞. And speaking of breaks, I think the Celtics are doing alright despite losing Jayson Tatum and all that drama with the refs... they've got some talented young players stepping up and it's nice to see them shine 💪.
 
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