Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is one of the more eccentric personalities throughout the association. He always seems to have a memorable quote for any situation, and he’s watched “The Town” far more times than any person needs to. However, he’s certainly done a great job with his team, as he won a championship in his second year at the helm, and of any criticism that could reasonably been thrown his way, none of it involves a lack of care for his players.

Mazzulla has been praised as a culture-setter who has truly integrated himself into the locker room. As a young coach- he’s 36 years old, about two years younger than Celtics star Al Horford- relating to his players comes fairly naturally, and he’s become a beloved coach despite stepping into the role at a very tough time following the dismissal of Ime Udoka, who was also very popular with the players.

This week, Mazzulla once again displayed why the Celtics are so happy to play for him, as he went the extra mile to show how much he cares about his players as people and their lives off the court. Here he is singing happy birthday at the seventh birthday party for “Deuce,” the son of Celtics superstar forward Jayson Tatum.

👀 Coach Joe singing happy bday to Deuce 🥹😭👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/WZUsb3GeXG

— Bri Marie D (@BriMarieD) December 8, 2024

Jayson Tatum Jr., better known as “Deuce,” was born in December of 2017, early in his father’s rookie season. Celtics fans will remember him as a very young child attending games with his grandmother, Jayson’s mother Brandy Cole, but he’s grown up considerably during his father’s career, which is now in its eighth season.

Similarly, Jayson Sr. has gone from a young father and promising talent to a much more experienced parent and the superstar centerpiece for an NBA Champion team. Celtics fans have greatly enjoyed watching the father-son duo grow as the team itself has evolved, and their obvious closeness has left an impression on many.

The elder Tatum has always made a point of prioritizing his son even above the basketball career he takes so seriously. He skipped a game to celebrate Deuce’s birthday two years ago, and celebrated with his son before anyone else after the Celtics secured a long-awaited championship.

The franchise has long understood the importance of the child that has been on hand for so many of their games over the past seven years, even commissioning a championship ring for the boy after the team secured its record-setting 18th title. It’s great to see Boston’s head coach acknowledge how important family is to his team’s most important player, as he took the time to attend an event that means so much to Tatum.