The Celtics coach reflects on his first day on the team, saying, “I get to be a part of this.”

As the Boston Celtics lead the NBA standings with a record of 43-12 after the All-Star break, numerous factors contribute to their success. One notable aspect is Joe Mazzulla’s adeptness in assembling an outstanding NBA coaching staff during his initial opportunity.

Among the league’s most talented top six, Mazzulla, in his debut as an NBA coach, has built one of the Association’s best coaching staffs. Noteworthy additions like Charles Lee and Sam Cassell serve as key assistant coaches alongside Boston’s second-year bench boss. Tony Dobbins, starting with Brad Stevens and retained by Ime Udoka and Mazzulla, has established himself as a vital member of the coaching team.

During Udoka’s return to TD Garden in January, he emphasized the significance of player input in retaining Mazzulla and Dobbins, stating, “I took, especially Marcus (Smart), Jaylen (Brown), Jayson (Tatum), Al (Horford), the veterans, I took heavily regarding who they liked and who they wanted to keep.”

Tony Dobbins, with a 13-year professional career that included three Defensive Player of the Year awards and two French Cups, initially joined Stevens’ staff as a video coordinator. Reflecting on his journey in a Celtics profile, Dobbins recalled his first day on August 17th, 2017, expressing the mix of emotions and gratitude for being part of the organization.

He emphasized the organization’s values, including a commitment to family, relationships, and player development. Dobbins highlighted the genuine and authentic nature of the Celtics organization, a sentiment echoed in the growth of his family since arriving in Boston.