Celtics Beat Episode 645: Which Role Players are Emerging?

Host: Adam Kaufman (with Evan Valenti)
Guest: Dan Greenberg (Barstool Sports)
Date: October 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Celtics Beat dives into the Boston Celtics’ preseason, focusing on the emergence of new role players, rotation battles, and the challenges facing the front court after an offseason overhaul. Host Adam Kaufman and co-host Evan Valenti welcome Dan Greenberg ("Greeny" from Barstool Sports) for an in-depth, fan-forward analysis of how the Celtics’ supporting cast is shaping up, including breakout candidates, the ongoing battle for reserve minutes, and what early preseason games tell us (and don’t tell us) about the season ahead. The conversation also investigates how Joe Mazzulla might tweak his system post-Tatum injury, what to expect from Anfernee Simons, and rampant speculation on Jayson Tatum’s recovery timeline and its implications for Boston’s “gap year.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value of Preseason: What Actually Matters?

• Main Takeaway: While preseason wins and losses are meaningless, observations around rotations, player development, and fit are critical, especially in a transitional year. (2:00–3:30)
• Greenberg: “There’s value in every dribble of an NBA season... Life is better when they’re playing. Coffee tastes better. The air is crisper.” (02:52)

2. Standout Role Players & Training Camp Battles (5:30–11:10)

• Josh Minott: Emerges as leader for backup wing role, especially with Jordan Walsh injured.
• Chris Boucher: Proved a versatile asset, surprising as a one-on-one scorer and floor spacer.
• Luca Garza: Drawing comparisons to “pre-leap Luke Kornet,” showing a gritty inside presence and a knack for offensive boards.
• Quote:
  • Greenberg: “Josh Minott just seems like a guy who makes shit happen... high energy, has great length... totally comfortable giving 15 to 20 minutes to.” (06:05)
  • Valenti: “I can see roles for all three guys [Minott, Boucher, Garza] ... it makes me breathe a little easier at night.” (07:20)

3. Front Court Concerns: Depth and Defense (11:10–17:37)

• Context: Massive turnover with Horford, Porzingis, and Kornet gone; Boucher, Garza, and Keita in.
• Crisis Areas: Defensive rebounding, lack of foot speed, switching limitations, and questionable outside shooting among bigs.
• Greenberg: “It’s just confirmed every worry... the rebounding is still atrocious... what is it going to be when Giannis is on the floor? ...I don’t trust anybody to switch in this front court as of now.” (11:44, 12:32)

4. Quick Schedule Outlook – Early Season Test (16:55–17:37)

• First 7 games include matchups with big front lines: Philly, Knicks, Pelicans, Cleveland, and Houston.
• “We’re gonna know how this front court stacks up against elite size and good teams...right away.” – Greenberg (16:55)

5. Projected Rotations & The Ugo Chinyelu Question (21:06–26:55)

• Greenberg’s Initial 8: White, Pritchard, Brown, Hauser, Keita, Boucher, Minott, Simons
• 9 & 10: Garza and possibly Ugo, Walsh, or Baylor, but "nobody has separated themselves yet."
• On Ugo Chinyelu:
  • “He has a skill set...he’s instinctually one of the best crashers...I think he’s going to play more than some may be expecting just for that.” – Greenberg (23:49)
• Development vs Winning Now: Strong arguments for giving Ugo & Amari Williams real NBA minutes over Maine assignments:
  • “This is a developmental season...why send him to Maine? Give him those developmental minutes in the NBA...If it’s a disaster, who gives a shit?” – Greenberg (26:55)

6. Style of Play: Missoula Ball’s Evolution (29:34–36:16)

• Missoula’s Philosophy: Pace remains high, drive-and-kick & high three-point volume persists despite personnel changes.
• Concerns: Fewer reliable shooters, but system stays largely intact.
• Quote:
  • Greenberg: “Nobody in the NBA has done it better than the Joe Mazzulla Celtics since he took over.” (36:16)
  • “Three-point shooting...you need that in today’s NBA. What you don’t need is playing slow, careless turnovers, lack of defense, not getting stops.” (36:16)
• Derrick White: Praised for control and expected leap in usage (“Here are the keys. Let’s go.” – Valenti, 35:20).

7. Focus: Anfernee Simons’ Integration (39:59–44:56)

• Debut: Encouraging but unspectacular boxscore vs Toronto; expected to start as sixth man, potentially average 20+ PPG.
• Quote:
  • Kaufman: “I think Simons could be in the conversation [for Sixth Man of the Year] on this team depending on how he is used and how efficient he is in his role.” (43:10)
• Greenberg: Simons is “the biggest wild card of the entire season” – vital for both immediate and long-term team-building plans. If he doesn’t fit, Celtics might trade for “tank” value but ideally he’s extended. (44:56)

8. Jayson Tatum Watch: Recovery, Return, and Lottery Implications (45:34–54:58)

• Updates:
  • Tatum’s videos (including dunks) increase optimism for a mid-season return, possibly as early as February/March.
  • Speculation rooted in social media "breadcrumbs" and team insiders’ comments.
  • Quote:
    • “I have reconfigured everything, and I fully believe he’s back in, like, February. The longer we go and the more that he reveals, the more convinced I am...it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” – Valenti (54:18)
• Lottery Logic:
  • If Celtics float on the play-in bubble without Tatum, they should preserve their lottery slot rather than chase marginal playoff participation.
  • “There’s a blueprint in NBA history...suffer[ing] catastrophic injuries...forces a one-year reset...set[s] off the franchise for years.” – Greenberg (48:09)
  • If comfortably in top 6 when Tatum is ready, "bring him back and play him."

9. On Tatum’s "Ceiling" Post-Injury

• Full trust in Tatum’s physical return, pending only possible mental blocks—a la Gordon Hayward’s trajectory.
• Greenberg: “I believe the second he is medically cleared, he is Jayson Tatum as we know him...I just base this off Twitter videos.” (52:01)

10. Closing Anecdotes and Celtics Culture

• Tatum on Boston: "The parade was the best day of my life. I'm just a little surprised that the parade..." (57:59)
• Greenberg confesses to “freaking out over fake preseason games” and his trademark fan-rabid Twitter persona.
  • “I have to remind myself...it was like, this is a fake game. But in the moment, they all matter to me.” (60:09, 61:10)
• A deep love of Celtics basketball as both a fan and journalist infuses the episode’s tone.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Greenberg: “There’s value in every dribble of an NBA season...life is better when they’re playing.” (02:52)
• Valenti: “It makes me breathe a little easier at night.” (on role players) (07:20)
• Greenberg: “It’s just confirmed every worry...the rebounding is still atrocious.” (11:44)
• Greenberg: “I just don’t know if we’ve seen anything that makes you think that, you know, it’s going to be smooth sailing against better competition.” (17:08)
• Greenberg: “Ugo is instinctually one of the best crashers on the roster.” (23:49)
• Valenti: “He feels like a professional.” (on Ugo) (26:28)
• Greenberg: “Nobody in the NBA has done it better than the Joe Mazzulla Celtics since he took over.” (36:16)
• Greenberg: “Simons is the biggest wild card of the season.” (43:19)
• Greenberg: “This is their one chance to arm themselves [with a lottery pick]...you have to recalibrate.” (48:09)
• Valenti: “It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when.” (on Tatum’s return) (54:18)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Preseason focus begins: 01:59
• Emerging role players & Minott/Boucher/Garza: 05:31–11:10
• Frontcourt worries: 11:10–17:37
• Rotation projections and Ugo’s emergence: 21:06–26:55
• Philosophy of play/three-point emphasis: 29:34–36:16
• Simons analysis: 39:59–44:56
• Tatum’s return timeline & lottery logic: 45:34–54:58
• Tatum’s personal favorite Boston day: 57:34–58:46
• Greenberg’s Twitter confession: 60:09–61:10

Episode Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, energetic, and conversational with humor and clear Celtics fandom.
• Frequent blend of statistical analysis and emotional, fan-driven takes.
• Occasional insider anecdotes; playful skepticism toward preseason overreactions.
• Honest, speculative banter around Tatum’s recovery and the possibility of an "intentional gap year."

For Listeners

If you want the pulse of the Celtics early in a season built on development, risk, and recalibration, this episode delivers both a reality check and hope. Expect frank discussions around unproven role players, genuine anxiety about the frontcourt, and plenty of unfiltered excitement (and worry!) about the return of Jayson Tatum—plus, a dose of trademark Celtics Twitter hyperactivity from Stool Greeny.

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