Pep Guardiola (Image Credits: Imagn)
Pep Guardiola continues to show his deep appreciation for basketball, using every opportunity to highlight his admiration for the sport and its top minds. While speaking to reporters in Palermo, the Manchester City boss took a moment to congratulate Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla on his recent contract extension with the reigning NBA champions.

The Spanish tactician is famous for his success across Europe and tactical genius at Manchester City. He referred to Mazzulla as a personal friend and applauded his new deal. He admired how basketball strategy aligns with his approach to football, particularly in spacing and player movement.

Pep Guardiola also revealed his three favorite NBA players since the Michael Jordon era. He included Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James in his priority list. In this view, each player brought something unique to the modern game. Curry, with his game-changing shooting, Doncic, with his all-around brilliance, and James, with his longevity, all remain unmatched on the court.

His comments underscore the growing connection between elite minds across sports. Pep Guardiola’s respect for basketball runs deeper than casual fandom. It reflects a shared mindset among top-level coaches who value intelligence and innovation on the court.

Pep Guardiola Shares His Basketball Passion

Pep Guardiola (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Guardiola showed his love for basketball while speaking after Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Palermo in a pre-season friendly. The City boss praised Celtics’ coach for signing a new contract by saying, “I love it,” as reported by Marc Stein.

Pep Guardiola shared that the NBA has always remained essential in his life and has influenced how he sees the game of football. He admires the tactics and movement used in the league.

With Mazzulla leading the Celtics into a new season, Guardiola’s support highlights the respect shared between top coaches across different sports, and his affection for basketball remains the same.