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[Boston Celtics]

The Jordan Walsh breakout has been beautiful

The first two seasons of Jordan Walsh’s career were relatively forgettable from a, individual standpoint (at least he got a ring his rookie year).

In the 61 games he appeared in, Walsh averaged 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds while only playing 8 minutes per game. He shot 37% from the field and 27% on threes.

There was never a point it looked like Walsh could be a regular rotation player, not during his regular season action, preseason action or even Summer League action. You would be hard pressed to find people who still believed in Walsh and it would have been even harder to find someone who had a good reason to still believe — not just blind faith.

Over the first five games of this season, that seemed to remain the case as Walsh played just 5 minutes and 18 seconds, appearing in just three games.

But sometimes, blind faith pays off.

After a good showing in the Celtics loss in Philadelphia on November 11th, Joe Mazzulla inserted Walsh into the starting lineup as he looked for someone to play the 4 with Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta.

Ever since that point, Walsh has taken 0ff like a rocket ship and it has broken my brain.

Since being inserted into the starting 5 on November 12th against the Grizzlies, Walsh has averaged 9.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. The Celtics, meanwhile, are tied for 2nd in the NBA at 10 wins, have the 3rd best net rating in the NBA at +10.2 points per 100 possessions, and have the best offense in the NBA, scoring 126.8 points per 100 possessions.

It is his three-point shooting that has made me the most excited. He is 19/39 from three on the season, 49%. That won’t hold up — not even the best shooters in NBA history shoot 50% from three — but if he can be in the high 30’s or even the low 40’s.

He is scoring at a really high level now. In the Celtics November 30th win over the Cavaliers, Walsh scored a career-high 14 points and in the five games since that one, he has beaten that three times. Over the last six games, he is averaging 15 points per game, shooting 77% with an effective field goal percentage of 89%.

He also creates a lot of 2nd chance points for the Celtics as well. He has 37 offensive rebounds this season which is tied for third on the team with Josh Minott behind Luka Garza and Neemias Queta.

Those extra possessions are something the Joe Mazzulla talks a lot about and something that the Celtics need because they do have a tendency to give up offensive rebounds on the other end, even if they have improved in that regard since the start of the season.

His defense was what everyone talked about when he was drafted in 2023 and that has not gone away during this stretch.

Each night he takes the top assignment of the other team, allowing Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to focus more on offense. Walsh is giving up 39% to shooters when he is the nearest defender and how he navigates screens is also a joy.

According to Cleaning the Glass, Walsh is in the 94th percentile in blocks for wings, 91st percentile in steals and the 98th percentile in offensive rebounding. He is doing all the little things for this Celtics team, creating extra possessions for Boston on both sides of the court.

This leap from Jordan Walsh seems to be real. I just cannot understand how the player I have watched the past two seasons and the past three summers is now one of the most impactful and important players on the team.

It has been so beautiful to watch.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/article...arkansas-razorbacks-joe-mazzulla-brad-stevens

 

[Boston Celtics]

Connectivity: The Recipe for Maine Celtics becoming Boston Celtics

Coming into the season, if you told someone that Sam Hauser would be a fixture in the rotation, looked at to shoot 40% or better from three for the fifth season in a row while also providing underrated defense, they likely wouldn’t have been surprised.

If you told someone that Neemias Queta would become an advanced-metrics darling, flirt with near double-double averages and exceed most expectations in his first season as a starter, you’d likely be met with a fair amount of skepticism.

But I know for sure if you told someone that Jordan Walsh would start the season with three DNP-CDs, logging just five minutes and 18 seconds across the first six games, only to later start thirteen straight contests emerging as one of the league’s best defenders while shooting 49% from three, they would run away trying to preserve whatever sanity they still had.

Besides the fact that they all are very tall, one important common denominator here is that they all spent substantial time in the G-League. That gritty, often overlooked proving ground helped Hauser, Queta, and Walsh go from hopefuls to bona fide NBA contributors, proving that sometimes the real magic happens where the lights are dimmest.

Furthermore, last year’s 30th overall pick, Baylor Scheierman, played 25 games with Maine during the 2024–25 campaign. Like many rookies, he started slowly, but those reps proved invaluable fueling the confidence he flashed late last season and has carried into this one. Scheierman has appeared in 21 of the team’s first 25 games this year, knocking down 47 percent of his three-point attempts.

Fast forward to this year, Maine is home base for all three of Boston’s two-way players. Ron Harper Jr, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga headline a roster that has flipped its season on its head, winning nine of its last ten games after an 0–3 start.

Williams, the rookie big out of Kentucky, has already shown flashes in meaningful NBA minutes against quality opponents, and much of that readiness can be traced to the growing connectivity between the Celtics and their G-League affiliate. A pipeline designed to help past, present, and future Maine standouts evolve into rotation players.

That alignment starts with culture, as coaches throughout the organization, led by the head coaches, emphasize a shared vision of accountability, professionalism, and impact on and off the floor.

“It doesn’t matter whether they’re in Boston or Maine; the standard is the standard,” said first-year head coach Phil Pressey. While Williams noted that Pressey and Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla are “pretty different” personality-wise, there are clear similarities in the messages they emphasize and the habits they reinforce.

Off the court, it’s all about being a professional. When asked about Walsh last year, Joe Mazzulla said, “What you do in the G-League from a statistical standpoint is important, but it’s more about your daily approach and professionalism.” Just five days ago when Williams posted his first career triple double in the G, coach Pressey told reporters that “he’s a big point guard,” but then reiterated being a pro. “But for him it’s just about building these professional habits of off the court taking care of your body, eating the right things, going to sleep at the right time…those are professional habits that an NBA player has.”

Mazzulla is well known for using movie scenes from “The Town” and other films/sports to drill points related to his coaching. It was also reported that Pressey spoke about using a quote from “Kung Fu Panda” to help his team after an 0-3 start.

“The Town,” “The Dark Knight,” and…. “Kung Fu Panda” ???

Maine Celtics head coach Phil Pressey mentioned how he’s taking a page out of Joe Mazzulla’s book and connecting to his players via movies.

My story on the Master Oogway quote he mentioned and his transition to Maine pic.twitter.com/ucTYWB7FSu

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) November 14, 2025

Hearing the same things from both coaches and everyone else in both settings most likely played a role in why Williams felt prepared for his first real NBA minutes. Afterwards, he said, “I felt like everyone around me the coaches, my teammates always kept me ready for that moment.”

We also have heard Mazzulla say winning is everything so many times and Pressey shares that same sentiment saying after a win that “I just try to voice that winning is everything.”

On the court, Maine’s offensive playcalling is very similar to Boston’s. I was in attendance for both of Maine’s matchups with the Capital City GoGo (Wizards affiliate) which they split without Harper Jr and Williams. In the first matchup, I was fortunate enough to sit close enough to hear coach Pressey during the game and in timeouts.

When the offense is freelancing, Pressey routinely calls out “Angle” signaling Angle Pick and Roll, which Boston also runs a ton. He’s always coaching within the play making sure players not directly involved in the PnR have the correct spacing. But on the plays they do set, you can clearly see the similarities.

Here both teams run “Chest” which is when someone sets an on-ball screen, then receives a Flare screen. The on-ball screen can either be a regular screen or a Ghost screen. Hayden Gray is able to get a step back three, and Boston plays great basketball after creating an advantage. You can even see Mazzulla saying Chest at the beginning of the second clip.

On this one both teams run Spain Pick and Roll (back screen for on-ball screeners man) and get open corner threes.

Another similarity beyond just running the same action is that both squads have an elite scorer in their respective league. Jaylen Brown is sixth in the NBA in scoring averaging 29 points while Ron Harper Jr leads the G-League in scoring at 26.9. Having these guys allow them to run Killer Whale Pick and Roll where they target a weak defender. Both guys are able to reject the screen and create offense for themselves.

Lastly, both teams love to have their centers play as Handoff passers. They go to “Zoom” or “Chicago” action (either one works) which is when a player receives a pin down or off ball screen to get a handoff. Derrick White and Harper Jr start in the corner and get the handoff after a teammate sets the pin down for them. This gets them going downhill.

None of this is accidental. From Hauser’s consistency, to Queta’s emergence, to Walsh’s unlikely rise, and now to the steady pipeline flowing through Maine, the Celtics have built a development system rooted in alignment, accountability, and opportunity. And as long as the standard remains the standard, the next unexpected contributor is probably already earning minutes in Maine.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/article...ipe-for-maine-celtics-becoming-boston-celtics

 

[Boston Celtics]

Pistons down Celtics, 112-105

After three days off, the Boston Celtics returned to the court hosting the Detroit Pistons. Boston hadn’t played at home since the Los Angeles Lakers visited TD Garden on December 5th. In an evenly matched game, both teams traded leads all night, however Boston let Detroit creep away with it late, the Pistons securing a big road win, 112-105.

Payton Pritchard was listed as questionable prior to tip-off with neck spasms, but he started alongside Jaylen Brown, Neemias Queta, Derrick White, and Jordan Walsh. The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons started Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, Duncan Robinson, and Cade Cunningham.

Detroit came out strong to start the game with an early 7-3 lead in the contest before Payton Pritchard hit on three straight buckets (8 points) to get the Celtics going. Cunningham and Duren were combining well for the road team, but it was Boston whose shooting came out that was the early story, with three straight three-pointers to take an early 14-12 lead.

Jordan Walsh picked up two early fouls for Boston, and Hugo Gonzalez came into the game, picking up the tough Cade Cunningham defensive assignment. Cunningham immediately shot over the Boston rookie, hitting his second triple of the game. On the next possession, Cade drove the length of the court, feeding Harris for a layup and forcing Joe Mazzulla to call a timeout.

Anfernee Simons was subbed into the game and hit his first shot of the game, a tough floater side step with the shot clock winding down. Jaylen Brown drove through Cade Cunningham’s chest to convert on a three-point play. Brown was starting to cook, firstly finding space for a layup over Isaiah Stewart and a tough turnaround jumper at the nail over ‘Beef Stew.’ Boston’s 9 straight points gave them the lead back at 25-19.

Boston switched to a 2-1-2 zone midway through the quarter, and it stymied the Pistons’ offensive sets. Gonzalez missed his first corner triple but redeemed himself with another opportunity and converted on his first three points to give Boston the 28-19 lead, with Jaylen Brown actively lodging his third assist of the night. Baylor Scheierman saw late quarter minutes as Boston had a great quarter going into the break up, 33-25.

Jordan Walsh returned to start the second quarter and immediately stole the ball from Cunningham and went down the other end, converting on the three-point play. Sam Hauser tweaked his left ankle early in the second quarter as he came down on Neemias Queta’s foot on a rebound attempt. Sam went back to the locker room with the trainers.

Boston went small with Queta on the bench as the Pistons’ second unit hustled and scrapped to keep the road team in the game. Cunningham hit a step-back three-pointer over Minott as the Pistons got it back to within 2 points. A Jaden Ivey layup tied things at 41 apiece with seven minutes remaining in the half.

Cunningham had 13 points and 7 assists for Detroit in the first half, Jaylen Brown had 18 points and 5 assists, and Pritchard chipped in 12 points for the home team as fans of both teams witnessed an evenly contested first half. It remained close at the half with 10 lead changes through 24 minutes, Boston up by 4 at the half, 57-53.

The second half started at a frantic pace, with both teams running the floor and taking shots early in the shot clock. Derrick White converted on his first two shots in the second half, and Queta and Duren continued to physically battle on the interior.

Neemias Queta was trailing the offensive play at the 8-minute mark and dribbled past Duren to sky for a loud two-handed dunk as the home crowd went crazy, Boston up 66-58.

Cade Cunningham was shooting with confidence in the third; he hit on his fifth triple of the night as Boston’s lead once again evaporated. Isaiah Stewart and Jaylen Brown got tangled in a physical altercation on a free throw rebound; the Detroit power forward clipped Brown’s throat with his forearm, and Brown responded with a two-arm push. The replay was reviewed, and both players would be called for a technical foul at the 5-minute mark of the third.

Caris LeVert and Derrick White traded buckets as both teams took turns in the lead. Detroit was getting frustrated with the second-half whistles, as both teams were in the bonus with 3:45 to go in the half. Walsh picked up his fourth foul on a suspect foul call with Cunningham driving to the basket. Walsh had only played 8 and a half minutes in the game at that point.

Boston’s hot shooting first quarter had well and truly dried up, as the Celtics went just 1-18 from three in a second and third quarter stretch. Boston had no choice but to attack the paint, and Brown and Simons hit on consecutive paint attempts. The Pistons outscored Boston in the third to take an 85-81 lead into the fourth.

Detroit kept the pressure on Boston to start the fourth as they outscored the home team 8-4 to start the quarter. Simons scored on a driving layup past Ausar Thompson, and the Celtics got out in transition following a Duncan Robinson three-pointer attempt as Derrick White nailed a running pull-up triple with the Pistons retreating.

White drove from the 45 as Cunningham picked up his fifth foul, and the Celtics guard converted on a three-point play, trailing 93-96. With Cunningham forced to the bench in foul trouble, Caris LaVert and Javonte Green hit big back-to-back shots to extend the Pistons lead.

Jaylen Brown finally hit his first three of the game with four minutes to go in the game. Brown swatted away LaVert but was initially whistled for the foul before the Celtics were successful on a crucial coaching challenge. Derrick White’s huge three-pointer with 3 minutes to go cut the Detroit lead to just 4 as the TD Garden crowd came alive once more. White’s fade away jumper cut it back to 2 points with the game up for grabs.

Derrick White scored a season-high 31 points on the night however the Celtics couldn’t convert down the stretch, Jaylen Brown missed a pair of free throws and Pritchard air balled a wide open three-pointer. Brown had 34 points on the night, White 31 and Pritchard 12 points. Boston next play the Miami Heat at home on Friday 19th of December.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-scores-results/126969/pistons-down-celtics-112-105

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jaylen Brown’s postgame press conference after Celtics loss showed 1 thing

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown led the Celtics in scoring (34 points), rebounds (8), assists (7), and blocks (3) in Monday night’s 112-105 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

But, at the postgame podium, he made one thing clear: he wasn’t happy with his performance.

“I got to be better,” Brown said. “I wasn’t good enough for my team.”

It’s been a career year for Brown, who is averaging 29.3 points on 50% shooting, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. He’s eclipsed 30 points in 8 of his last 9 games; the only other game being a 19-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound triple-double in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

And, he’s well on his way to a fifth All-Star appearance.

But Brown made a slew of mistakes in the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss; with four minutes left, he misfired on a pass that was picked off by Cade Cunningham. About 90 seconds later, he bit on a Tobias Harris pumpfake, sending the Pistons veteran to the line.

On the next possession, he missed both of his free throw attempts (and ultimately finished the game a season-worst 7-14 from the line).

Those are some of the plays Brown recalled when asked why he was so hard on himself at the podium.

“Especially in the fourth quarter, just some mindset plays, foul, staying down on the shot fake, a turnover in the fourth, and just too many missed free throws,” he said. “Just mentality-wise, mindset-wise, I needed to be more for my team — and I wasn’t tonight.“

To be fair to Brown, amid the mistakes were plenty of good moments, even during the final period that he lamented most. He scored 7 points and tallied 2 blocks in 9 fourth-quarter minutes, and sank a pull-up three from the top of the key midway through the period.

But the level of perfection that Brown is striving toward is exactly why the Celtics have overachieved this season, in the first place. Their top player is demanding excellence — and simply another gaudy statline was insufficient.

“I’ve got to do better to get my team over the hump,” Brown said. “In my mind, I didn’t have my best game tonight, so that’s on me.”

Derrick White, who tallied a season-high 31 points on 10-18 shooting against Detroit, disagreed with the notion that the loss was on Brown. But, he also acknowledged that the high standard he holds himself to has gotten him to where he is.

“I think that’s kind of what makes him special — 30-something [points] and still wants to do better for us, and so that’s what makes him special,” White said. “He’s probably his toughest critic, and we know that he’s going to bounce back and continue to do special things for us. And so obviously, this loss isn’t on him, it’s on all of us, and we got his back, but I think that’s just kind of the guy he is, and that’s why we love playing [with him].“

Joe Mazzulla also felt that Brown processed the game well.

“I think at the end of the day, you just have to make the right read, which I thought he did,” said the Celtics head coach. “He finished at the rim and kicked out for open shots. I think that’s just the nature of it — nothing else is more important than that, regardless of whether they’re going in or not, are we making the right read?”

But in a 7-point loss, everything mattered: “All that stuff adds up — turnover, free throws, open shots, all of that little stuff adds up,” Brown said. “So tonight wasn’t my best night at that. I’ll take accountability.”

“I think my team did enough. I gotta be better down the stretch. We gotta be better down the stretch. Definitely a game that got away from us, that got away from me. We’ll watch the film and be ready for the next one.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/127006/jaylen-brown-celtics-pistons-press-conference

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics Daily Links 12/16/25

Herald ‘I’ve got to be better’: Why Jaylen Brown blamed himself after Celtics’ loss to Pistons

Late miscues derail big game from Celtics stars in loss to Pistons

Globe Cade Cunningham explained why he ‘loves’ competing against the Celtics

Jaylen Brown on heated exchange, physicality against the Pistons

Celtics go cold again, fall to Cade Cunningham and top-seed Pistons: 7 takeaways

Cade Cunningham has 32 points and 10 rebounds as Pistons beat Celtics 112-105

The Pistons showed the blueprint for beating the Celtics. What’s worse? Boston’s roster may not be up to the task.

Celtics raise awareness for National Marrow Donor Program registry, and help former trainer Ed Lacerte

‘Got away from us’: Matched against the best-in-the-East Pistons, Celtics’ shooting goes cold

Celtics Green Comments from the Other Side – Pistons 12/15/25

CelticsBlog 10 Takeaways from the Celtics hard fought loss to the Pistons

Open trade season means open mailbag time

Jaylen Brown’s postgame press conference after Celtics loss showed 1 thing

The Limits of Mazzulla Small Ball

Celtics relished the “fun” of a physically-taxing Pistons battle: “I’m all for it.”

Pistons down Celtics, 112-105

Celtics injury update: Forward leaves game vs Pistons with injury

Celtics .com Photos: Pistons vs. Celtics – Dec. 15, 2025

Keys to the Game: Pistons 112, Celtics 105

NBC Sports Boston What more can Jaylen Brown do? C’s star needs help from supporting cast

Celtics-Pistons recap: C’s 3-point woes continue in tough loss

NESN Jaylen Brown’s Accountability After Pistons Game Contrasts With Donovan Mitchell

Latest Payton Pritchard Trade Idea Doesn’t Make Sense For Celtics

Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Addresses Concerns Over Second-Half Struggles

Cade Cunningham Speaks On Securing Win Over Celtics

Celtics’ Derrick White Gets Real On Guarding Cade Cunningham

Jaylen Brown Shoulders Blame After Celtics Fall To Pistons

Celtics’ Derrick White Has Funny Response To Impressive Shooting Streak

Mass Live Former Celtics center is trade candidate with new team (report)

Joe Mazzulla reveals why new Celtics starter sat late in Pistons loss

Pistons give Brad Stevens crucial reminder as trade season begins for Celtics

Cade Cunningham says Pistons love facing Celtics: ‘Championship identity’

Jaylen Brown reveals unexpected reaction to big night in Pistons loss

Derrick White is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Monday’s loss to Pistons

4 takeaways as Celtics lose to Pistons after brutal shooting night

Celtics Wire Celtics forward Jordan Walsh has the tools to be an elite 3-and-D player

Celtics deserve to add a player at the 2026 NBA trade deadline

Javonte Green saw Joe Mazzulla’s future as an NBA head coach as a Boston Celtic

Joe Mazzulla on what went wrong for Boston Celtics in Detroit Pistons loss

Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics on Monday, but he didn’t think he did enough

Derrick White points to Cade Cunningham, late errors in Celtics loss to Pistons

Celtics jersey history No. 45 – Gerald Wallace (2013-15)

Celtics history: Walker triple-double; Newlin 52 vs. Cs; Swain born

The Celtics struggled from deep and dropped a winnable game vs. the Pistons

Giannis, Jonathan Kuminga and following the money: Welcome to trade season

Goodbye, Vegas? What to know about the future of the NBA Cup

Jaylen Brown takes blame for Celtics’ home loss to East-leading Pistons

Boston Sports Journal Karalis: Detroit is good, but Boston bumbled away too many chances to beat the Pistons

BSJ Game Report: Pistons 112, Celtics 105 – C’s too sloppy to complete Derrick White-fueled comeback

Hardwood Houdini NBA’s newest toy may have just exposed Celtics’ kryptonite

Hugo Gonzalez got reminder from Celtics teammate after ugly moment

Celtics happily paying steep draft price for this season’s success

Celtics doomed for harsh realization if latest trend continues

Celtics dealing with painful reminder that requires trade action

Celtics got brutal reality check that Pistons were happy to deliver

Celtics learn tough lesson of failed magic in Pistons rematch

Chowder and Champions Celtics’ Trade Deadline Need Is Made Obvious in Showdown Loss to Pistons

CLNS Media/YouTube LIVE Garden Report: Celtics vs Pistons Postgame Show on CLNS Media

Derrick White FULL Postgame Interview | Celtics vs Pistons 12-15

Jaylen Brown FULL Postgame Interview | Celtics vs Pistons 12-15

Joe Mazzulla Postgame Interview | Celtics vs Pistons

Javonte Green on Wearing Jayson Tatum’s Shoes + Achilles Recovery | Full Interview

SI .com Kristaps Porzingis Facing Sad and Familiar Retirement Possibility

Detroit Pistons make statement in win vs. Boston Celtics

USAB USA Basketball, Celtics, NBA Team Up to Raise Awareness of NMDP Registry in Honor of Ed Lacerte

Globe/YouTube Slam Dunk: Celtics need fewer three pointers

Boston 25 Boston Celtics reveal longtime trainer is in the midst of leukemia battle

The Celtics Chronicle Celtics Mailbag: The Cold Shooting Problem, Hauser’s Role & More

82 Games Why OKC’s Defense Feels Suffocating: A Physicality/Playing Hard Deep Dive

Detroit Bad Boys Pistons vs. Celtics final score: Cade, Detroit bench power victory

Javonte Green is That Guy

NBA/YouTube PISTONS at CELTICS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | December 15, 2025

Talkbasket Joe Mazzulla addresses Pistons’ bench dominance after Celtics’ loss

The Sports Hub Celtics can’t hold off Pistons on way to 112-105 loss

Audacy Celtics’ mistakes prove too costly in loss to Pistons

Heavy Celtics Made a Call That’s Starting to Make Sense

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Postgame Comments Turned Heads

New Celtics Injury Could Be a Trade Deadline Problem

Athlon Sports Derrick White Assigns Blame After Celtics’ Loss to Pistons

Fadeaway World Kendrick Perkins Shares ‘Gary Payton 2AM Story’ When He Was A Rookie: “Hey Ugly, I Need Bottle Of Patron”

Paul Pierce Ranks Stephen Curry Over LeBron James As The Best Player Of The Modern Era

Derrick White Defends Jaylen Brown Following Crushing Loss To Pistons

MLive Cade Cunningham clutch again as Pistons outlast Celtics in Boston

Fan Recap Boston Celtics Eye Bold Trade Move Involving Anfernee Simons

Locked on Celtics SELF-INFLICTED: Boston Celtics TURNOVERS, missed shots, SQUANDER chance to beat Pistons

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-celtics-daily-links/126977/boston-celtics-daily-links-12-16-25

 

[Boston Celtics]

Open trade season means open mailbag time

I make no secret about the fact that I love transaction season. Trades are exciting! Trade rumors and speculation is fun because there’s always the hope of something great happening. That doesn’t mean I’m very good at trade ideas. I don’t have delusions of grandeur or refer to myself as the Picasso of the Trade Machine (who would do that?). But I do enjoy throwing ideas out there to discuss, shooting down other people’s ideas, and ultimately looking silly because Brad Stevens is so much better at his job than I could ever pretend to be. Also, trade season sure does drive traffic to the site!

I’ve already tried priming the pump for these discussions. I also tried trading Anfernee Simons to all 30 teams. But now I’m turning the mic over to you.

So here I am, opening up the mailbag and inviting you to lob your queries over the fence. I’ll do my best to answer them in the spirit that they are intended. Or you can send me trade suggestions and I’ll do my best to not make fun of them.

Mind you, the questions don’t have to be limited to trades and rumors. I’m happy to field questions about the current team or the season thus far or whatever you want to talk about. Anyone have a good casserole recipe to share for these cold winter evenings? Don’t take investing advice from me, but I’m currently a little concerned with an AI bubble in the economy. Oh, and I think I’ve read one too many books in the fantasy genre because I feel like I could write the outline of a standard trilogy involving swords, dragons, wizards, and a plucky young hero who’s just beginning to tap into powers he wasn’t aware he had. But I digress.

You know the drill. Leave the questions in the comments below and I’ll wait a few days and respond with a post later in the week. Thanks!

(Oh, and a plug for The Feed – if you find yourself running long on your questions or unsatisfied with my answers, feel free to show us how it is really done by posting your own thoughts on The Feed)

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-...065/open-trade-season-means-open-mailbag-time

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics Daily Links 12/17/25

Globe ‘Does he even have enough money?’ Bill Chisholm closed the deal of his life when he bought the Celtics.

Knicks win NBA Cup after rallying to beat Spurs, Jalen Brunson named MVP

Adam Silver says the NBA may look into giving the Miami Heat relief over the status of Terry Rozier

CLNS Media Do You Want to Become a Coach? Here’s a Guide That Will Help You

NESN Derrick White Defends Celtics Star After Frustrating Loss To Pistons

Celtics’ Bizarre Schedule Splits Don’t Bode Well For Next Game Vs. Heat

Two-Time NBA Champion Floated As Ideal Trade Target For Celtics

Former Celtics Champion Named As A Potential Trade Candidate

Celtics’ Biggest Roster Need Is Clear

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Fueling MVP Talk With Eye-Popping Hot Streak

Mass Live Brad Stevens explains notable Jayson Tatum detail in Achilles rehab

Ex-Boston Celtics center’s nagging nerve injury gets positive update

Celtics Wire Should the Celtics trade Anfernee Simons for Bucks big Myles Turner?

Should we blame the NBA Cup for the Celtics looking rusty this week?

Are the Boston Celtics weaknesses starting to show?

Boston Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez on what it was like to start as a pro at just age 9

Celtics jersey history No. 45 – Kadeem Allen (2017)

Celtics history: Wilkins and Hondo go for 43 – 31 years apart; Yabu born

Boston Sports Journal NBA Notebook: How soon can Jayson Tatum return from an Achilles tear?

Hardwood Houdini NBA’s latest attempt to pity the Knicks should make Celtics fans laugh

Former Celtics tryout piece has found new career arc as a star

Celtics discovering new Hugo Gonzalez development that could begin change

Jaylen Brown is taking one leap that has Celtics defying every expectation

Chowder and Champions Celtics’ Anfernee Simons Experiment Is Likely Already a Lost Cause

CLNS Media/YouTube Will Celtics Continue to WIN After Strong Start? | Garden Report

Brad Stevens Gives a Jayson Tatum INJURY UPDATE | Celtics Practice

Noa Dalzell’s 2 big takeaways from Celtics’ loss to Pistons | You Got Boston Podcast

Celtics WEAKNESS Is Now Starting to Show | Big 3 NBA Podcast w/ Gary Washburn & Sherrod Blakely

Heavy Celtics Made a Call That’s Starting to Make Sense

Celtics’ ‘Most Appealing’ Trade Assets Revealed

Celtics Chronicle The Boston Celtics Going Small Should Not Be A Feature

Sole Retriever The Latest Jordan Tatum 4 is a Party of Pebbled Leather and Neon Pink

Space City Scoop Grade the Mock Trade: Rockets make massive Celtics gamble in new proposal

Sporting News Proposed Celtics trade sees Boston land $108 million two-time block champ as upgrade from Neemias Queta

Hoops Wire NBA Rumors: Pacers, Bennedict Mathurin, Celtics, Anfernee Simons, Heat

Fadeaway World Potential Trade Scenario For Celtics To Land Reliable Shot-Blocking Big Man

13 WGME Maine Celtics spread holiday cheer with shopping spree for local kids

SI .com Derrick White Gives Celtics a Big Three Combo that Could Be Dangerous in the Playoffs

Boston Celtics Legend Makes Bold Claim About OKC Thunder Competition

Celtics Missing Key Players on Defense From Last Year’s Team Evident in Pistons Loss

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[Boston Celtics]

Anfernee Simons is still finding where he fits in Boston

When the Celtics moved Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons last summer, it was easy to view the trade through a financial lens. Boston needed flexibility. Simons offered shooting, youth, and a smaller expiring deal.

It wasn’t a perfect match, but there was enough upside to let it play out and see how he fit within Joe Mazzulla’s system alongside Boston’s stars.

Twenty-five games into the season, we’ve gotten a meaningful look at it, albeit in a much smaller role. Currently, he’s averaging 13PPG in 23.7 minutes — lower than any of his previous four seasons with the Trail Blazers.

In Portland, Simons was the offensive engine. He logged heavy on-ball reps and operated with freedom as a primary creator. In Boston, that role no longer exists. He’s been asked to condense his game, make quicker decisions, and thrive with fewer touches.

Some #1 options can benefit from the move to a shrunken role on a better team, but it’s a difficult challenge to squeeze enough out of a skillset based around volume shooting and explosive scoring runs.

On paper, there’s been success in specific areas. His finishing has improved on lower volume, and he ranks in the 95th percentile in three-point attempts per 100 possessions while raising his efficiency. The spacing generated by Boston’s offense has afforded him cleaner looks than he’s had in years.

While some things are working, the relationship itself hasn’t clicked. Simons has accepted a bench role with professionalism, but that hasn’t translated into the level of scoring punch that’ll swing momentum. His presence isn’t killing them, but it’s not really much of a boost either.

When filtering out low-leverage minutes, that shows up clearly. The Celtics are essentially neutral with Simons on the floor (+0.4 Net Rating), compared to a +6.9 mark when he’s off. For a player brought in to juice the bench offense, the swing is hard to ignore.

In Boston, he isn’t afforded the same green light he’s grown accustomed to, and that adjustment has proven tricky. His touches have dropped sharply — from 65.1 per game in Portland to 41.7 — but the way he uses them hasn’t changed much. He still ranks first on the team in seconds per touch, and second in average dribbles per touch.

That disconnect matters. In a smaller role, they need his possessions to be decisive. Extending advantages and using his scoring ability to pick apart rotating defenses. Instead, Simons is often operating with the cadence of a primary creator in a role that wasn’t built for it. The result is efficiency that looks good, but doesn’t hit the right notes in terms of impact or cohesion.

The tension becomes clearer when you zoom into different lineup combinations.

Next to Jaylen Brown, Simons should theoretically benefit from Brown’s scoring gravity. There have been flashes, but the pairing tends to lean toward self-creation rather than quick attacks in the gaps. It’s two scorers operating in parallel instead of in concert.

Excluding low-leverage minutes, the numbers reflect that imbalance:

— Brown & Simons: –0.83 Net Rating
— Simons, no Brown: +1.89
— Brown, no Simons: +7.87

It’s not an indictment of either player on its own. But it does suggest that, so far, the fit has been more clunky than complementary. There is hope though, if Simons can shift his approach.

His best work this year has come on catch-and-shoot looks, where he’s converting 45.7% of his threes. In comparison, he’s shooting 29.9% on pull-ups from deep. If he settles deeper into an off-ball role, it could help offset a lot of the struggles next to a player that should only make his life easier.

There’s still a place for his creation ability, but they can pick his spots better. When Brown is on the bench it’s a good time to lean on his shotmaking. If they’re sharing the floor, Simons can’t let the ball stick too much.

On the other side of the floor, it has been about as expected for Simons.

To his credit, Simons has brought focus on the defensive end, showing he’s serious about improving. His frame and strength limit his overall influence, but Boston’s own lineup constraints haven’t helped. Early in the season, he spent significant time alongside Luka Garza, forming an untenable defensive pair (-8.5 Net Rating). Even with Simons’ commitment and effort at the point of attack, it was hard for Boston to protect both of them.

The pairing ultimately zapped Simons’ offensive impact as well.

Adding a more reliable defender into the equation has made a clear difference as Simons, as he and Queta share a +5.96 Net Rating. It allows him time to navigate screens and recover, along with the security of a capable rim protector patrolling behind him. Even small-ball lineups with Minott have been a more effective option.

Simons’ defensive limitations with Garza highlight why lineup composition is important to get the most from him. When paired with Queta’s shot blocking ability, he has the necessary support to succeed. It also enables him to thrive on offense with an effective screener and athletic roller at center.

The season is still young, and there’s room for growth. As he spends more time with the team, they may find the right combinations and style for positive results. Or it could be a place of discomfort that ultimately never clicks. His place in their future plans has never felt permanent, but if it’s not Boston, he still has reason to play his best basketball in a contract year.

Ultimately, Simons’ success here will depend on how much further he can embrace the framework the Celtics have in place, while continuing to mold his game to fit cleanly. If he can strike a more useful balance between pull-up and spot-up scoring, and he’s supported by preferable lineups, he and the team will be better off for it.

Simons has shown he can be efficient in Boston’s ecosystem. What he hasn’t shown yet is that his game consistently elevates the lineups he’s part of. That intersection between production and impact is a question the Celtics still haven’t answered.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/127116/anfernee-simons-is-still-finding-where-he-fits-in-boston