Celtics Beat Podcast – Episode 643

Can Jayson Tatum Go to Another Level After Injury?

Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Adam Kaufman (CLNS Media Network)
Guest: Sean Grande (Voice of the Boston Celtics)
Co-Host: Evan Valenti

Episode Overview

This episode features Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti in conversation with Sean Grande, the legendary voice of the Celtics, as Media Day and the 2025-26 NBA season approach. The discussion is driven by big offseason changes, ownership transitions, and most critically, the ongoing saga of Jayson Tatum’s recovery from his Achilles injury. With Tatum’s return timeline and the Celtics’ uncertain outlook, the episode explores everything from plausible comeback scenarios, the psychology of player recovery, to organizational strategy under new ownership.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Sean Grande’s Milestone & Opening Banter

• Sean marks his 25th anniversary as Celtics broadcaster and reflects humorously on his career longevity.
  Quote: “Apparently I'm going to become the all time...I've called more games at TD Garden than anybody else. Wow.” (02:15, Sean Grande)
• Sean, Adam, and Evan joke about the “grunting age” of tying shoes and the perks (or lack thereof) for long service.

2. Jayson Tatum’s Injury and Return Timeline

National Speculation and Mental Health Focus

• The topic of Tatum’s return will dominate Celtics discourse all season, with speculation running wild among fans and national media.
• Grande emphasizes the real issue isn't strictly when Tatum can play, but how mentally comfortable and confident he is post-injury. Quote: “...to me, it has always been about...wanting Jayson Tatum to be 100% mentally comfortable one year from now when we're having the same conversation...that to me is the thing.” (04:44, Sean Grande)
• Grande references Paul George’s comeback as a healthy precedent; the hope is Tatum can play the last ~15 games if cleared—no pressure for this season’s playoff ambitions.

The "March 4th Theory" & Tatum's Own Words

• Discussion of fans’ fixation on possible return dates: March 4th—the day after Tatum’s birthday and a home game. Quote: “I just don't see a scenario by which, again premise, he's 100% healthy, medically cleared, all of that. If that happens in February, I don't see anybody...keeping him from playing.” (08:14, Sean Grande)
• Tatum himself told media, “I got a goal...a date in my head...it's going to be a home game.” (11:10, Adam Kaufman)
• Adam breaks down how Tatum’s ambition and the quickest historical Achilles return (Wes Matthews at 7.5 months) lines up, putting a possible return in mid-January as the dream scenario.

Impact on Team Culture & Leadership

• Evan draws parallels to Tom Brady’s work ethic, suggesting Tatum’s rehab sets a tone for the whole organization. Quote: “...the body of evidence of Jayson Tatum suggests that he will be back sooner rather than later…he’s going to work as hard as he possibly can at it.” (14:09, Evan Valenti)

Mental and Emotional Context

• Grande brings up the often-overlooked emotional toll injuries take; recounts Tatum's own media admissions about fears for his career and role in Boston. Quote: “...just how emotionally difficult this experience was...basketball mortality is not something you deal with...at 26 and 27 years old...” (38:48, Sean Grande)
• Tatum also referenced candid conversations with his son, Deuce, for reassurance and positivity during his recovery. (42:16, Adam Kaufman paraphrasing Tatum)

3. Team Trajectory Without Tatum

Wide Range of Expectations

• Celtics’ season projections range wildly—from “25 wins” to potential playoff contention. Quote: “We have had guests tell us that this is a team that probably wins 25 games...this is a playoff team...they could be right back in the semifinals.” (16:42, Adam Kaufman)
• Grande doubts true contender status this season without Tatum; emphasizes just how much the team’s ceiling hinges on him. Quote: “...for his eight years in the league, when Jayson Tatum has been on the floor, The Celtics are a 66-win team. When he's been off the floor, they're a 500 team.” (21:01, Sean Grande)

Roster Reshuffle: Offseason Moves

• Significant roster turnover: Porzingis, Holiday, and Cornette gone; Anthony Simons and Chris Boucher join. Quote: "G League teams have a more compelling front court than this Boston Celtics team has. Now." (26:31, Adam Kaufman)
• Sean notes the odd construction—a guard-heavy, inexperienced frontcourt—and that the major defensive drop-off is inevitable. Quote: "...it is so oddly put together. It wasn't intentionally put together to be a team in which...you have a dramatic drop..." (27:09, Sean Grande)

Missoula’s Year 4 Challenge

• Expect a faster pace (“almost by definition” without Tatum and other departed stars). Quote: “I certainly would expect the Celtics are going to be faster. Almost by definition.” (29:53, Sean Grande)

4. Ownership Change – The Bill Chisholm Era

Press Conference Takeaways and Fan Concerns

• New owner Bill Chisholm’s first public comments—generally positive, energetic, and promising (“go for it, reasonably” on expenditures), but with an acknowledgment that he holds ultimate authority. Quote: "'I have final say...' meaning...this is up to Bill Chisholm at this point in time." (52:45, Adam Kaufman)
• Grande suggests skepticism about a change in winning philosophy is more paranoia than fact, given the league’s new salary cap structure. Quote: “The paranoia that somehow there's going to be some sort of philosophical change...I don't know where that comes from other than just general fear.” (53:47, Sean Grande)
• Discussion of “gap year” mentality while Boston regroups for requisite financial flexibility.

Wick Grosbeck’s Continued Involvement

• Wick’s presence as a comfort factor, but both hosts and Grande acknowledge such joint transitions rarely work in sports ("historically, this does not go well"). Quote: "It's a very fair question because historically this does not work...But as you just said, people have preconceived notions and then sometimes they're surprised." (58:34, Sean Grande)

Second Apron Rules & NBA Parity

• Owners transparent that cap/roster reset would have happened even without team sale.
• Grande: It’s “business malpractice” not to go under the second apron now; gap years for contenders may become common with the league’s new structure. Quote: “It is a financial requirement. It's a fiduciary responsibility to the franchise. It's business malpractice to not go under the second apron for the Celtics at this time.” (59:51, Sean Grande)

5. Deeper Tatum Themes: Player and Person

• Grande highlights Tatum’s maturity, referencing his unique maturity and the “duality” with Jaylen Brown: Quote: “I think they are a little bit more alike than you think...these guys at 22 and 23 had this level of emotional maturity.” (38:48, Sean Grande)
• Emotional weight of Tatum witnessing Gordon Hayward’s gruesome injury during Tatum’s first NBA minutes—ties back to Tatum’s anxiety about career mortality post-injury. Quote: “What happened in Jayson Tatum's first five minutes as an NBA player?...He watched an elite player have his life and career changed...So course, crazy thoughts are going to come flying into your head when that moment happens to you.” (43:40, Sean Grande)

6. Brad Stevens’ Role and Future

• Discussion over whether Stevens—smiling and relaxed at the ownership presser—could ever leave his front office job to coach again.
  • Evan: "For me, Brad is never leaving...” (65:15, Evan Valenti)
  • Grande offers caution, noting every time people have ruled out Brad making a dramatic move, he’s surprised them. He’s content, but who’s to say what the future holds? Quote: “...I'm done being surprised in my life at what Brad Stevens decides he wants to do.” (70:51, Sean Grande)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tatum’s return and the Boston fanbase:
  “...the degree of love and the ownership of Jayson Tatum in Boston and vice versa...is going to be at a different level when he...steps on that floor at the Garden. That's...going to be one we remember for a generation.” (09:19, Sean Grande)

• On Boston’s ‘gap year’ mentality:
  “...there is a freebie element to this year and I do love that everyone is all over the map of what's going to happen...” (18:17, Sean Grande)

• On the Celtics’ place in recent NBA history:
  “...I don't think even the die hardest of die hard Celtic fans has a true appreciation for just how absurdly good the Celtics have been for the last decade...” (62:13, Sean Grande)

• On Brad Stevens’ flexibility & unpredictability:
  “There comes a time when the kids aren't gonna want to be around you as much...there comes a point with that parenting wise, too...” (68:50, Sean Grande)
  “I'm done being surprised in my life at what Brad Stevens decides he wants to do.” (70:51, Sean Grande)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-----------------------------------------------| | 02:15 | Sean Grande's 25th anniversary opens episode | | 04:35 | Tatum injury speculation and return debates | | 06:47 | "March 4th" date, return scenarios debated | | 10:54 | Tatum’s own words on his internal goal | | 12:54 | Tatum’s work ethic and locker room impact | | 16:42 | Wild Celtics projections for 2025-26 | | 21:01 | The Celtics’ Tatum-less record, team ceiling | | 26:31 | Offseason roster shuffle and depth concerns | | 29:53 | Missoula’s challenge: faster pace, new tactics| | 38:48 | Tatum’s emotional journey post-injury | | 43:40 | Hayward’s injury and the fragility of NBA | | 52:45 | Bill Chisholm’s first presser and new era | | 58:34 | Ownership continuity: Benefits & risks | | 62:13 | Celtics' historic run and NBA parity | | 65:15 | Brad Stevens’ future speculation |

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a conversational, accessible, and deeply knowledgeable tone, mixing humor ("We’re at the ‘grunting to tie our shoe’ age...") with thoughtful analysis. Grande’s voice brings both broadcaster’s perspective and candid, heartfelt commentary on player psychology and team identity.

Summary

Celtics Beat #643 provides one of the most thorough, nuanced explorations of the state of the Celtics as the franchise faces a pivotal transitional year. With Sean Grande’s insights, listeners get an insider’s take on Jayson Tatum’s recovery—not just as a player but as a person—and how his journey could elevate him to Boston sports legend status upon return. The episode doesn’t shy away from tough questions about organizational strategy, roster fits, and the psychological toll major injuries bring. Grande and the hosts paint a picture of a city, a franchise, and a young superstar all taking stock, regrouping, and ready to rise again—a must-listen for any Celtics or NBA fan seeking substance beyond the headlines.