Celtics’ Coach Mazzulla Rebuilds with Help from Chess Prodigy Waitzkin

BOSTON, Mass. — After the Boston Celtics lost in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat, head coach Joe Mazzulla faced a critical moment in his coaching career. In need of guidance, Mazzulla turned to Josh Waitzkin, a former chess prodigy and performance psychologist.

Following their loss, Mazzulla and Waitzkin connected through text messages, referencing Waitzkin’s past who was featured in the Oscar-nominated film, ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer.’ The two had built a relationship after Waitzkin conducted a psychology seminar for the Celtics coaching staff earlier that season.

“He was feeling the pressure and knew he needed to challenge himself if he wanted to grow as a head coach,” Waitzkin said. He invited Mazzulla to visit him in Costa Rica, where they engaged in rigorous physical and mental training.

“We lose Game 7 and I’m sitting there, and I just said, ‘[Expletive] it. We’ve got to do this,’” Mazzulla explained. Just two days later, he and his family flew to Costa Rica for eight days filled with challenging activities meant to test Mazzulla’s limits.

Waitzkin guided Mazzulla through strenuous workouts, including surfing strong Pacific waves, hiking barefoot through jungles, and participating in intense sauna sessions. “Every part of your being needs to be alive,” Waitzkin explained about the physical challenges. “We were searching for pain, for adversity.”

Mazzulla found the experience taxing but necessary. “There were moments after the eighth, ninth time, I didn’t really feel like getting up and doing it again, but you don’t have a choice,” he shared.

The unprecedented bonding experience didn’t end with the trip. Waitzkin has become a critical mentor for Mazzulla, providing feedback on player performance and helping him analyze the mental aspect of the game. “I need Josh to make me better so I can help the team be better,” Mazzulla stated.

Upon returning from Costa Rica, Mazzulla was rejuvenated and ready to lead the Celtics into another season. Waitzkin’s insights and unconventional techniques became a cornerstone of Mazzulla’s coaching philosophy as the Celtics prepared for their next playoff journey.

As the Celtics move into the playoffs, their path to success now includes not just tactics on Auerbach Center’s practice court but also the psychological training Mazzulla obtained from his experiences with Waitzkin.

“One of the best things Josh does is interrogate you,” Mazzulla said. “You’re constantly being interrogated by him, and it forces you to think.”