He’s consumed with his players having a different mental and physical approach to this season because they are no longer chasing but being chased.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has sat in on defensive meetings for the New England Patriots, and he is taking a page out of their strategy playbook, as he looks to defend his NBA title with the Boston Celtics.

Mazzulla knows this breakneck practice pace might not be enjoyable for his players, but he’s been pleased with their buy-in thus far. The Celtics returned nearly their entire roster this offseason, so the vast majority of their current players are familiar with Mazzulla’s methods.