Celtics Beat – Episode 648: Can Celtics Have Top-10 Offense AND Defense? w/ Jack Simone
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Evan Valenti (Adam Kaufman out this week)
Guest: Jack Simone (Celtics beat reporter, co-host of “How About Them Celtics?”)
Episode Overview
This week, Evan Valenti hosts Celtics Beat solo, joined by beat reporter and film breakdown specialist Jack Simone. The episode dives deep into the early 2025-26 Boston Celtics season, focusing on the team's identity—can they achieve both a top-10 offense and defense despite key injuries? The conversation highlights proof of concept from their recent win over Cleveland, player development stories (Minott and Kaeda), rotation questions, and a Halloween “Trick or Treat” statistical segment analyzing which early trends are real.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Film Breakdowns and Player Insights [04:21]
- Jack’s unique approach: Jack does standing film breakdowns with Celtics players, letting them narrate plays from their perspective.
- Jordan Walsh, described as “unfiltered,” was the most entertaining:
“He was basically just like, yeah, that guy messed up…trashing on a summer league player. Like, this guy’s an idiot. Like, what is he doing?” – Jack Simone [04:39] - Namias Queta stood out for technical explanation: “He broke down sort of like, his positioning, how long to hold screens, when to roll, when to pop…That one stood out in terms of, like, okay, this is really good insight.” – Jack Simone [04:24]
- Jordan Walsh, described as “unfiltered,” was the most entertaining:
2. Celtics 125-105 Win Over Cavaliers: Proof of Concept [05:46]
- The Celtics showcased effort, rebounding, defense, and hustle—proving their new team identity works even without Tatum.
- Missoula’s Philosophy:
“We won this game because we woke up, like, thinking about rebounding and winning the rebounding margin and out hustling and all those things.” – Paraphrased by Evan Valenti [07:27] - Jack’s Analysis:
“It is such an intentional decision to make that extra effort on the glass…it just took them a few games to realize, oh, like, we really have to consciously think about rebounding.” – Jack Simone [08:44] - Celtics out-rebounded a big-frontcourt Cavs team (Mobley and Allen) despite missing their four top rebounders (Tatum, Horford, Porzingis, Cornet).
3. The Rise of Josh Minott & Namias Queta [14:06]
- Energy Impact: Both bring essential juice and effort—Minott in particular.
- “Josh Minott, the best rebounder on this basketball team…He has to play heavy minutes every night.” – Jack Simone [14:06]
- Minott’s rebounding compared to Terry Rozier:
“He kind of rebounds the ball like Terry Rozier…just effortlessly gets in the air and his limbs go on forever.” – Evan Valenti [15:34] - Contract/Extension Talk: There is urgency among Celtics media/fans for Minott’s extension.
- “How soon can they lock up Minott for an extension? Because they’re going to need him going forward with this team.” – Evan Valenti [17:41]
- Defensive impact: Minott guarded Mobley (a DPOY candidate) and held him ineffective.
- “Evan Mobley was O of 6 and O of 3 with Josh Minott on him…he completely clamped them down.” – Jack Simone [19:00], with Evan adding, “Cavs were 1-for-12 with Minott as primary defender.” [18:46]
4. Jalen Brown’s Evolving Role & Leadership [19:35]
- Brown is averaging 30 PPG, showing improved creation (11 potential assists/game at one point), and shouldering the team offensively.
- Coach’s Quote on Brown’s adjustment:
“He doesn't really see it as a new role…He just sees it as I'm going to play like Jalen Brown plays.” – Joe Missoula via Jack Simone [21:40] - Brown is more involved in rebounding and defensive effort:
“You look at him against Cleveland, he’s putting a body on Jared Allen, he’s swim moving DeAndre Hunter in the paint…He is doing what he needs to do.” – Jack Simone [22:40] - Both agree: for Celtics’ team rebounding, Brown has to set the tone.
“If you want the whole team to rebound, Jalen, you have to put a better effort forward.” – Evan Valenti [24:07]
Segment: Trick or Treat? Early-Season Trend Analysis [30:00–48:00]
Evan pitches trends and Jack decides if they’re sustainable (“treat”) or just a blip (“trick”).
1. Celtics Top-10 Offense? [30:32]
- Jack: Treat – Once White & Pritchard’s shooting regresses to the mean, it’s sustainable.
- Evan: A bit more skeptical (“trick”), though close.
2. Celtics Top-10 Defense? [32:42]
- Jack: Treat – He’s “very high on their defense,” thinks top-10 or even top-5 is genuinely possible if rebounding effort remains.
- Evan: Agrees; improved turnover generation and schematic changes are real upgrades.
3. Pace Concerns (Currently 28th)? [36:38]
- Both are surprised at pace ranking given preseason talk of playing faster.
- Jack: Sees it improving as rebounding does, but not likely top-10 fast.
4. Namias Queta: Playoff-Caliber Starting Center? [38:40]
- Jack: Yes, for a playoff team—but championship-aspiring teams will still want more at center.
5. Josh Minott: Lock as Starting 4 Until Tatum Returns? [40:12]
- Jack: 100% treat. “He is essential to their rebounding.”
- Anticipation of even more rebounding dominance once he plays next to Tatum.
6. Ugo (Rookie Guard) Earning a Rotation Spot? [41:32]
- Jack: Has earned a look, especially vs. elite guards like Brunson, but minutes still variable.
7. Jalen Brown: 30 PPG All Season? [43:47]
- Both say trick – He’ll settle closer to 25–28 as teammates return and his efficiency normalizes.
8. Derrick White: 10+ Threes Attempted Per Game? [45:00]
- Jack: Treat. Will keep launching, but conversion rate will decide his impact.
9. Peyton Pritchard: Lead Ball-Handler on Playoff Team? [46:23]
- Jack: Yes, as a #2 (behind Brown).
“He has looked infinitely more comfortable handling the ball within the flow of an offense…than Derrick White has.” [46:23]
10. Tillman vs. Boucher: Who Locks Rotation Minutes? [47:43]
- Jack: Prefers Tillman for his size, rebounding, and screening; Boucher brings energy but is less impactful in those areas.
Other Notable Quotes and Moments
- “It’s like O’Shea Brissett walked so Josh Minott could run.” – Jack Simone on Minott’s fit [17:44]
- On Evan Mobley: “There’s a group of guys that are the next [superstars]…and Mobley’s on that list. For Minott to come in and do that, I thought was unbelievable.” – Evan Valenti [19:35]
- “If they don’t rebound the way they did against Cleveland, they’re gonna lose. Like, you just cannot win basketball games when you rebound as poorly as they did against the Pistons and the Knicks.” – Jack Simone [24:32]
- On Missoula’s coaching: “He does not like to lose basketball games…He’s going to do everything he can to make his team do what they need to, and if you guys don’t do this, you’re not gonna play.” – Jack Simone [25:31]
Quick Roster/Contract Updates [50:30]
- Celtics pick up Baylor Shireman’s 3rd-year option—no surprise, standard asset play.
- Shireman’s rotational role has decreased, especially with Ugo’s emergence.
Upcoming Schedule & Closing Thoughts [51:08+]
- Celtics gearing up for a busy stretch: 76ers, Rockets, Jazz, Wizards, and Magic ahead.
- Possible tactical changes (especially seeing more Ugo) in response to guard-heavy opponents like Philly.
- Jack plugs his work: Game stories, film breakdowns, and “How About Them Celtics” podcast. All social: @JackSimoneNBA.
- Evan ends on Missoula’s mantra:
“You got to wake up wanting to rebound the basketball. That’s the right way to handle their rebounding issues.” [54:22]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [04:24] – Best film breakdowns w/ Celtics players
- [05:46] – Proof of concept in Cavaliers win & rebounding insights
- [14:06] – Minott, Kaeda, and impact of hustle/effort
- [19:35] – Jalen Brown’s evolving leadership and offense
- [30:32] – Trick or Treat (stat trend segment) begins
- [32:42] – Defense/top-10 debate
- [36:38] – Pace and schematic talk
- [38:40] – Queta, Minott, Ugo rotation status
- [43:47] – Jalen Brown’s scoring sustainability
- [46:23] – Pritchard as lead ball-handler
- [47:43] – Tillman vs. Boucher for minutes
- [50:30] – Baylor Shireman contract/roster chat
Summary Takeaway
This episode thoroughly breaks down the early season identity of a shorthanded but relentless Celtics team, analyzing whether their “proof of concept” (grit, rebounding, defense) is a foundation for sustained top-10 efficiency on both sides. Standouts like Minott and Queta are earning not just minutes but central roles, while Jalen Brown steps gracefully into team leadership. The roundtable “Trick or Treat?” segment scrutinizes which small-sample trends are sustainable as Boston eyes a rare two-way dominance. The message for Celtics’ success is crystal clear: Wake up wanting to rebound and win.