Podcast Summary: Celtics Beat – Episode 617

Episode Title: Bigger Playoff X-Factor: Porzingis or White w/ Steve Bulpett
Date: March 28, 2025
Host: Adam Kaufman (CLNS Media Sports Network)
Guests: Steve Bulpett (Heavy.com), Evan Valenti

Episode Overview

This week’s episode dives deep into the state of the red-hot Boston Celtics as they approach the end of a dominant regular season and look ahead to the playoffs. The main discussion centers on what—beyond just the health of Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown—will most impact Boston's playoff success: the presence of Kristaps Porzingis or Derrick White. The hosts also cover the Celtics’ roster management, habits down the stretch, lessons from NBA history, insights from the Celtics City documentary series, the franchise’s pending ownership change, and breaking NBA news. The conversation is candid, analytical, and loaded with both historical perspective and present-day insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celtics’ March Dominance and Playoff Context ([02:14]–[06:23])

• The Celtics are closing out March with a near-perfect record, likely to finish 14-1 for the month after a strong post-All-Star break run.
• Adam Kaufman notes, “This team has been red hot… and winning a lot of these games, although most against really inferior teams.”
• Steve Bulpett acknowledges Celtics’ superiority, but tempers championship expectations by noting that league insiders see threats:

  “The people around the league look at it… the Thunder and Cavaliers are really well equipped to deal with Boston.” ([05:26])

• Oklahoma City and Cleveland are cited as worthy adversaries due to defensive versatility (OKC) and the addition of Hunter at the deadline (Cleveland).

2. Matchup Problems: Focus on Oklahoma City and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ([07:48]–[11:25])

• Evan Valenti zeroes in on SGA’s matchup nightmare for Boston:

  “This is not just a Celtics problem. This is an NBA league-wide problem. They have an SGA problem.”

• The panel agrees Boston may have to let SGA get his and focus on limiting OKC’s supporting cast—especially Lou Dort and Chet Holmgren.
• Steve Bulpett summarizes the core challenge:

  “You play as solid as you can and know that you’re going to be a problem for them, too. Don’t lose sight of the fact there are two ends to the court.” ([09:53])

3. The Big Debate: Porzingis vs. Derrick White as Playoff X-Factor ([11:25]–[22:19])

• Kaufman poses the central question: If one key Celtic (other than Tatum/Brown) were to miss time, who would be the most damaging loss to Boston’s championship run?
• Steve Bulpett: White gets major credit for Boston’s regular season resilience:

  “Tell me how you would have survived to get this record without Derrick White… [he] came up so huge in a number of games.” ([13:17]) On Porzingis: “To me, is a huge X-factor… the way he can impact… They can just alter the game board anyway.”

• Evan Valenti: Leans Porzingis, highlighting his synergy with Jalen Brown and ability to win the “non-Tatum minutes”:

  “His ability to make Jalen’s life easier as a playmaker and as a safety valve… is extremely critical to a long run in Banner 19, if they get there.” ([15:36])

• Adam Kaufman: Sides with White for stability and two-way reliability:

  “White is so incredibly instrumental to what they do on both sides… You’re losing more in Derrick White—full package, all the way around.” ([17:59])

• Panel consensus: The debate is matchup-dependent, but both are essential to Boston’s playoff ceiling. Bulpett wryly frames it:

  “Which of my fingers would I most… I could do without? Well, I can’t do without my middle finger, because then you can’t drive in Massachusetts.” ([22:10])

4. Closing Out the Regular Season and Importance of Habits ([24:43]–[35:52])

• With the 2nd seed locked, Boston will balance injury management with the need to avoid bad habits and maintain competitive continuity.
• Bulpett emphasizes:

  "The danger is that if something becomes a habit… anything that slows the reaction time from your brain to your body… can cost you a critical game." ([26:23]) "You want that [winning play] on the computer chip.”

• The group reflects on the brief January struggles and agree habits, competitive reps, and rotation depth are critical, not just coasting until April.

5. Player Development, Depth, and Coach Missoula’s Approach ([35:52]–[38:45])

• Praise for Joe Mazzulla’s willingness to integrate younger and bench players like Baylor Scheierman:

  “That’s one thing that I do really appreciate about Joe… isolating where guys can help the team.”

• Contrast is drawn with Ime Udoka’s limited playoff rotations in 2022.

6. Celtics City Documentary Reflections ([38:45]–[49:18])

• The panel shares impressions on the ongoing Celtics City docuseries, now into the Bird era, and teases behind-the-scenes anecdotes (e.g., Bill Walton’s remorse at replacing Maxwell).
• Steve Bulpett offers personal and emotional recollections from his decades covering the team and shares untold stories about overlooked Celtics figures (Dave Cowens, Satch Sanders, Dennis Johnson, Mel Graham).

7. Ownership Change: Bill Chisholm's Group Buying the Celtics ([53:44]–[61:37])

• Kaufman and the guests contemplate the monumental sale north of $6 billion, potential hurdles (real capital, private equity rules), and what it means for fans and future spending.
• Steve Bulpett:

  "I’d want to see this process played out more… There are issues with how much of this is real capital… This is not done yet." ([56:04])

• They discuss the impact of the NBA’s new second-apron rules on team building and predict little difficulty in finding enough investors to close the deal.

8. Breaking NBA News: Taylor Jenkins Fired in Memphis ([63:24]–[71:29])

• The episode closes with reaction to breaking news that Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has been fired despite sitting tied for fourth in the West.
• Steve Bulpett:

  “There’s got to be… something beneath the surface here… The Grizzlies are a team you don’t want to play against… You might beat them, but you won’t come out unscathed.” ([65:13])

• Panel is shocked; consensus is that Jenkins will be highly sought after in future coaching cycles.

9. Memorable Max Quote Story ([72:03])

• Bulpett relays a favorite locker room moment:

  “Cedric said, you know, he was discussing the situation, said, 'Yeah, we were very dorsal tonight.' And Kevin McHale… says, 'You know, Max, you’re right. We kind of did play like fish. But I think the word you’re looking for is docile.'”

• Bulpett:

  “You do not want to play against Max in Scrabble… all these things. I don’t want to go anywhere near that dude.” ([73:09])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Steve Bulpett on league perspective:
  “The Thunder and Cavaliers are really well equipped to deal with Boston.” ([05:26])
• Evan Valenti on SGA:
  “They have an SGA problem. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander… has been able to do a lot of things against that defense basically whenever he wants.” ([07:48])
• Bulpett on the Porzingis/White dilemma:
  “Porzingis… is a huge X-factor… But Derrick White… you would have survived to get this record without Derrick White?” ([13:17])
• Kaufman on Derrick White:
  “I think that White is just so incredibly instrumental to what they do on both sides… You’re losing more in Derrick White.” ([17:59])
• Bulpett, on the futility of "pick one X-factor":
  “It’s like, to say, well, what one without this one, without that one… the product would be hurt.” ([21:43])
• Bulpett, on playoff habits:
  “You want to have your best game on your computer chip. You want it to be instinctive. Boom. It’s right there.” ([26:23])
• On Taylor Jenkins firing:
  “There’s got to be, you know, something beneath the surface here.” ([65:13])
• Bulpett's Max & McHale quote:
  “Max, you’re right. We did play like fish. But I think the word you’re looking for is docile.” ([72:03])

Important Timestamps

• Celtics' March Dominance / Playoff picture: [02:14]–[06:23]
• OKC and SGA matchup: [07:48]–[11:25]
• Porzingis vs. White debate: [11:25]–[22:19]
• Rotation, habits, and season’s final stretch: [24:43]–[35:52]
• Player Development / Mazzulla praise: [35:52]–[38:45]
• Celtics City Documentary Talk: [38:45]–[49:18]
• Ownership Sale Discussion: [53:44]–[61:37]
• Taylor Jenkins Firing Reaction: [63:24]–[71:29]
• Maxwell/McHale Story: [72:03]–[73:09]

Tone & Language

• The episode is informal but deeply analytical, blending humor (e.g., “Which of my fingers... I can’t do without my middle finger because then you can’t drive in Massachusetts”) with sharp basketball insight and historical perspective.
• The panel’s chemistry allows for a lively yet respectful debate, especially around the Porzingis vs. White topic, with each articulating their reasoning with specific game examples and team context.

Summary Takeaways

• The Celtics are entering the postseason in historically dominant form but must avoid bad habits and overconfidence, with both Porzingis and White seen as indispensable for different reasons.
• Oklahoma City and Cleveland are real threats and highlight the importance of Boston's roster flexibility and defensive discipline.
• Off-court factors—from ownership changes to NBA salary rules—may shape the franchise’s future as much as on-court performance.
• The Celtics' organizational health, historical appreciation, and commitment to development are themes running throughout—balanced by healthy skepticism about the path ahead.

For Celtics fans, this is a must-listen episode for understanding the nuances of Boston’s playoff prospects, the evolution of team chemistry, and the broader forces shaping the franchise.