Mazzula: I will have strict requirements on Cota. I told him that becoming a starting center is the goal of hard work.

In the NBA preseason, the Celtics defeated the Raptors 110-108. After the game, Mazzula was interviewed.

Talking about the high demands placed on Cota because of his high trust in him, Mazzula said: "We will have strict requirements on Cota, and I am very much looking forward to coaching him throughout the year. I told him, this is the goal you have been working for your whole life —— Becoming the Celtics Starting center'."

"You have to develop a mentality: to achieve the required performance every night, you need to put in such efforts. I think he already has this mentality."

In this campaign, Cota started the game in 20 minutes and 57 seconds, making 4 of 7, and scored 8 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks.