NBA Champion Joe Mazzulla Credits Le Mans Coach Guillaume Vizade for Summer Basketball Knowledge Exchange in France

NBA coach Joe Mazzulla studied in France with Guillaume Vizade. Explore how Le Mans' offensive schemes and the Princeton offense are influencing the Celtics.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 4:43 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Basketball Champions League

A Universal Language Spoken in the Film Room

The traditional concept of love as a universal language has a rival in the world of professional sports: the game of basketball. This was recently exemplified by Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who revealed that he spent a significant portion of his summer in Le Mans, France. Mazzulla was there to observe and learn from Guillaume Vizade, the head coach of Le Mans Sarthe Basket. The 2024 NBA Championship-winning coach praised Vizade's ability to teach the offensive side of the game, noting that the time spent in northwestern France provided him with fresh perspectives that translated directly back to the New England basketball scene.

Mastering the Motion Pick and Roll Alignment

One of the primary tactical staples shared between the two coaches is a specific variation of the motion pick and roll. This set involves a side pick and roll with an empty strong-side corner, a design specifically intended to strip the defense of its ability to provide help on the big man rolling to the basket. Vizade explained that both teams utilized this motion last year to maximize player versatility. In practice, if the initial screen is defended well, the offense immediately swings the ball to find high-post entries, such as the "Blind Pig" action from the classic Triangle Offense, which catches defenders out of position and keeps the offensive momentum fluid.

The Evolution of the Short Roll Decision Maker

Another significant topic of discussion during Mazzulla’s visit was the application of the short roll and the defensive dilemmas it creates. Vizade highlighted that involving "bigs" in the decision-making process promotes their passing ability and disturbs traditional defensive schemes. By utilizing high-IQ players in the short roll, coaches can force the defense to play between lanes, creating multiple scoring or passing options on either side of the floor. This Euro-centric approach has become increasingly appealing to NBA teams, as evidenced by the development of skilled big men who can act as primary initiators rather than just finishers near the rim.