Stephen A. Smith doesn’t completely reject Joe Mazzulla’s takes on

Stephen A. Smith doesn’t completely reject Joe Mazzulla’s take on fighting in the NBA.

Stephen A. Smith weighed in on Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s call for fighting to be allowed in the NBA. Mazzulla sparked conversation with his NHL-inspired remarks, suggesting the inclusion of power plays, prompting various reactions, including Smith’s during a segment on ESPN’s First Take.

While many commentators have dismissed Mazzulla’s idea, Smith put it in context concerning the league’s officiating in 2024. He noted, “Mazzulla is into martial arts and isn’t opposed to fighting. I wouldn’t go as far as he did, but I do think the way the game is called has become a bit too soft. You can get a technical foul for even minor exchanges between players, which seems excessive.”

He emphasized that players are highly competitive and motivated, and that it’s natural for them to get into each other’s faces without it escalating to fighting. Smith concluded by saying he has no issue with players jawing at one another, as long as it doesn’t lead to physical altercations.

Smith also mentioned that the infamous “Malice at the Palace” incident had a lasting impact on how the league approaches player conduct and officiating.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden

In his response to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s controversial stance on allowing fighting to take place in the NBA, ESPN’s Stephen A Smith also referenced the 2005-06 NBA brawl involving spectators and players from the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, which forever changed how officials approach games.

“After the Malice at the Palace in Auburn Hills, you just can’t find yourself in a situation where you’re, even though this is on the court as opposed to being in the stands, you can’t find yourself as a league condoning that by any stretch of the imagination, that’s a bit extreme,” Smith added. “But I do think that they need to stop acting. I’m talking about the league in terms of calling the game so softly, where guys are talking smack to one another warrants ejections, technicals, and all this other stuff.”