Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has called for the NBA to allow a return to fighting amongst players.
Mazzulla is well known across the league for his terrific one-liners, outside the box thought process and being a general basketball sicko, so it was no surprise to see him come out with something like this.
The 36-year-old is the youngest coach in the NBA and his fresh ideas, coupled with a witty delivery, have made him a fan favourite both in Boston and throughout the country.
Mazzulla told Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub that his dream rule change would be to bring back fighting.
“I think the biggest thing that we rob people from as an entertainment standpoint is you can’t fight anymore. I wish you could bring back fighting.
“I mean, you aren’t talking about robbing the league of entertainment. What’s more entertaining than when there is a little scuffle?”
Can the NBA emulate the NHL with fighting rules?
Fighting in ice hockey has been a part of the sport’s culture and tradition for as long as anyone can remember and if the NBA look to re-introduce it, they may look to the NHL for guidance.
In the NHL, players involved in fights are assessed minimum five-minute major penalties – and the ‘aggressor,’ who continues to fight after their opponent gives up, can receive a game misconduct penalty.
When a fight breaks out on the ice, the referees blow their whistle and play is stopped. Each player on the ice, not involved, must return to their benches while the referees keep a close eye on the scrap.
Some players may start a fight to boost the morale of their team and try to light a fire in their bellies, but it doesn’t come without consequence and the frequency has decreased significantly in recent years.
Mazzulla’s Celtics travel to Indiana to face the Pacers in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch tonight, so keep an eye out if he tries to swing at Rick Carlisle.
