Sixers

Nihilist Joe Mazzulla Mumbling Something About Duality and Emptiness After Celtics’ Game 7 Loss

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: May 4th, 2026 · 12:19 PM EDT

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What the hell even is this? –

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Joe Mazzulla played for Bob Huggins in college. Do you think Huggy Bear was doing some Nietzsche-type of nihilistic introspection after every March Madness exit? Do you think he was bumbling on about emptiness and the dualism of pursuing greatness? Probably not. He was likely half drunk by the time he got to the podium and just saying that the guys gave it a good effort and played hard but that the other team was better and deserved credit.

When did Mazzulla become this great philosopher anyway? Guy wins a title against a Cinderella Mavericks team and now he’s out there telling everyone he’s just as empty after winning the title as he was losing in the first round. Huh? It’s like A.J. Brown feeling unfulfilled after winning the Super Bowl and Jalen Hurts refusing to wear the ting. All of these guys telling us that the chase is better than the catch and not knowing what to do when they reach the actual top, like they’ve sacrificed part of their humanity in the neverending pursuit of excellence. Isn’t the whole point of life to achieve great things and then celebrate those great things? When the mountain climbers reach the top of Everest, do you think they shrug their shoulders and say, “okay,what now?” I would think you’d take a picture or two, maybe bask in the moment, soak it all in. Reflect on what you’ve accomplished. Maybe put on a Mummers outfit and rip every single naysayer and critic who questioned you along the way.

If you can’t enjoy your success, what’s the point? Listening to today’s coaches and athlete, you’d think life is meaningless. God is dead, etc. Some of these dudes are in la la land. Do they even like what they do?

But whatever. To each their own. Sixers in 7.

“Nihilists? ….fuck me”