Adam Kaufman (2:07)

Welcome in new edition of Celtics beach for your Win a game, lose a game, every other kind of situation. For the 6 and 7 Boston Celtics, there it is. There's the motion. Abby Chin is here with us, NBC Sports Boston. We're all just is if we do it out of sync too, it'll just look ridiculous for the YouTube audience. We thank you for being here with us across the CLNS YouTube page, the all access page for the Celtics. A lot of great Celtics podcasts available to you, not just this one, as we humbly say anyway. And of course download the podcast wherever you should happen to get your audio versions of the show. Rate review. Most importantly, subscribe. And Adam Kaufman and Valenti were always here. But like I Said Abby, our special guest today on with us for the first time this season. First time in a little while. A.B. we've missed you. Welcome back. And boy, how's life since the last time we spoke? It was.

Abby Chin (3:01)

When was the last time we spoke?

Adam Kaufman (3:03)

Ev could tell me. Ev can look this up while we're chatting. The last time that you were on the show, probably longer ago than it actually feels, but what life covering this team has changed quite a bit from the last time that we spoke. Obviously with all of the departures, the injury to Jason Tatum and now just a lot of evaluating who's part of the future. Right.

Abby Chin (3:26)

Yes. Yes. If we haven't spoken since last season, a lot has changed. And you're right. I. I don't think I really understood how much until we are in it now. I think going into the season. Yes. And I was excited. There were so many new guys, so many new stories to tell. And while I'm still excited, it's just. It hit me like a ton of bricks just that this is a different team, a different season, and it is going to be a different journey. And so we are already seeing some of that and there have been some really fun moments. It's just.

Adam Kaufman (4:02)

It is.

Abby Chin (4:03)

And taking the tagline from the Celtics. But it's. It's different this year.

Adam Kaufman (4:07)

It's different here.

Abby Chin (4:08)

It's different here. It's different this year.

Evan Valenti (4:11)

For the booking me personal purposes at home was episode 593, which was October 10, 2024. Come on.

Adam Kaufman (4:19)

We haven't seen with Abby on the show since last October.

Abby Chin (4:23)

Oh, wow.

Evan Valenti (4:24)

Quick search. Just. I could be. You know, look, it's Friday.

Adam Kaufman (4:27)

It's possible now.

Evan Valenti (4:28)

I got.

Adam Kaufman (4:28)

Now I got to go back through my text messages to see.

Abby Chin (4:30)

I mean has changed.

Evan Valenti (4:32)

I know we.

Adam Kaufman (4:32)

I know we've tried to coordinate things since.

Evan Valenti (4:38)

The episode episode title was revolving around Jason Tatum in his superstardom. Coming off the starting five Netflix doc.

Adam Kaufman (4:47)

Wow.

Abby Chin (4:48)

That was a long time ago.

Adam Kaufman (4:50)

Yeah.

Evan Valenti (4:52)

So much has happened.

Abby Chin (4:53)

There's been a whole other doc released there.

Adam Kaufman (4:56)

There have been a couple asks along the way. But you know, family, scheduling concerns obviously. Or travel with the team that, you know, Celtics practices all.

Evan Valenti (5:07)

Yeah.

Abby Chin (5:08)

Life gets in the way.

Adam Kaufman (5:10)

Wow.

Abby Chin (5:10)

Of the podcast. But I can't believe it's gonna be here. I could have sworn we spoke near the end of the season.

Adam Kaufman (5:17)

Not according to my text message history. We don't text nearly enough, obviously.

Abby Chin (5:22)

Obviously. Long time no see, guys.

Adam Kaufman (5:24)

Right. Good to see you. How you been? So how did you feel about that move from Christ Porzingis and Drew Holiday and yeah, I mean, obviously, like, it's. This is a, I mean, truly a totally different team that you are covering then, not just in terms of the personnel, but, you know, the thing that everyone has wrapped their, their heads around here slowly is, is expectation. You know, we, we go into recent years, you go into every year believing the Celtics are at the very least in the contender conversation, if not favorites to win the championship over the last couple of seasons, you know, last time you were on, I guess we were probably still basking in the afterglow of winning banner 18. And so, you know. Right. Seriously. And so now, you know, as we think about how this team goes about constructing Banner 19, I mean, what do you. Or what you've gleaned from either conversations with Joe on or off the air? I don't know how much, how many conversations you actually have with him off the air seems pretty close to the vest. But, you know, obviously the front office, anyone on the coaching staff, I mean, what are the priorities that. That they are, you know, really honing in on throughout this season?

Abby Chin (6:35)

Well, first I would say that I have gleaned that while I know we all talk a big game, but I certainly took for granted how hard it is to win in the NBA. And for the past few years, a handful of years really, I mean, they hadn't missed the play, haven't missed the playoffs in what, 10, is it seven straight or 10 straight? Whatever it is, they've been in the playoffs every single year. And I have experienced a losing season before I came in the same season as Brad Stevens. So 2013, the Celtics won 25 games.

Adam Kaufman (7:08)

Right.

Abby Chin (7:09)

But like you said, the difference is expectations. That team was not expected to win. This group with this coaching staff and this front office has been expected to win championships and all throughout preseason. You know, you talk that that still remains the standard for this team and this group, but it's. It is a different thing. And so as far as priorities go, priorities are to win every night. That doesn't change. That is something that this Joe Mazzulla will tell you. He's trying to do whatever it takes to win every night. It's just that as we know, that margin for error is so much smaller night in and night out when it with this group. And so the priorities. And it doesn't feel like this is about development. Of course, they want to develop the young guys and the new guys, and that's going to happen in the course of this season, especially with guys in and out of the lineup getting More run some nights, less the other. And so that development is going to be there, but, I mean, overall, it's the Celtics. This is Boston. The expectations. The standard is to go out there and try to win every night and do whatever it takes to do that.

Evan Valenti (8:21)

Yeah. It's interesting. They, you know, the expectations are lower, obviously, without Tatum, and yet obviously one every night. You talk to anybody in. In any front office, winning is a skill that you need to learn how to do. They just don't get magically plopped on any surface that you play sports on and just know how to win every single game. No. No question. But what's I find interesting is the expectation is lower. They're 6 and 7, and yet they.

Abby Chin (8:48)

Have a top every time. I'm sorry.

Evan Valenti (8:50)

I know. It's okay.

Abby Chin (8:52)

And I feel like we're in this very specific moment. I'm sorry.

Evan Valenti (8:55)

For a split second, I was like, is there another way I can say this? They're one game below five.

Adam Kaufman (8:59)

They've played 13 games, and they're one under five.

Abby Chin (9:03)

One game below.500.

Adam Kaufman (9:04)

Do the math yourself. They're fighting for a.500 record in their 14th game.

Evan Valenti (9:10)

All those things all happening. If they have a top 10 offensive rating, a top 10 defensive rating, top 10 net rating, like, all these things are good. They're, again, one gable, but they're still putting out what is. I would call a quality product. And I think it's because, you know, I think they have guys in this team that try very hard. They have good principles. You have, you know, there's not. It's not like they're. They're walking out. You know, the process. Sixers every night for a lineup. No, there's Jalen Brown and Derrick White in Payton Pritchard, and there's a lot of pride on this team. What do you make of this. This particular point in time where, like, yes, they're. They're one gable of 100, but like, all the metrics say, they're actually doing a pretty good job. What do you make of this? Because it's kind of hard to sift through all these things.

Adam Kaufman (9:58)

Bad luck.

Abby Chin (10:00)

Yeah. Close games. A lot of clutch situations that most of these players have not been in or been the guy in, in the four. And then, like I said, the margin of error is very small. So while the Celtics may be playing really, really well, so is the other team. And those other teams are fighting for wins. And the parody in this league, I think, is something that has reached a level that the league appreciates. And I'm not sure that we've really seen of late. And then I would also say that what's been the most intriguing part to me is that they are doing all of this with those numbers, the metrics, the ratings. While both Peyton Pritchard and Derrick White have been struggling mightily shooting. And in the last game was the first time both of them broke through in the same game. Sam Houser has had off nights, too, one of the veterans in this group. And so to me, it speaks to the job of the staff, getting all of the other guys up to the place where they need to be to be able to help these guys and get them to the point where they are in position to win games. And then it does go back to Evan. Like you said, this is just, it's a competitive group. This is who the front office goes after. These are the guys that they target when they are looking for the players on the market. And I think that that has shown through. And Joe Missoula maintains that he just, his only goal is to give them a chance to win. And they are in those games. And the reason they are below.500 is because they've dropped some close games. And I think that, like I said at the beginning of this season, things that you just forget, you forget that in those clutch situations, no matter what, the ball is going into Jayson Tatum's hands. And that is a reassurance that we all trust in. And he's come through more often than not. And while Jaylen Brown, I believe, is completely capable and will figure this stuff out, he just hasn't been in those positions before. The learning curve is steep. As much as you want to say that they have, you know, I know this is Jalen's 10th season in the NBA, but these are positions that he's never been in before. And so you can talk about it, you can watch it on film, you can practice it in a gym. But Adam, you and I can speak to this like there is no, you cannot duplicate live reps, being out on the floor, having things happen, having to make decisions as quickly as they need to make decisions. Like, you just, there is no way to duplicate that in any sort of practice or film setting. And so they're learning on the fly. The games came fast and furiously to start this season off. They have 13 and 23 days. This is the first time they've had consecutive days off this season. And so they really haven't been able to get back on the floor in the practice gym since training camp and so forth. Learning on the fly and I and what I take away from those first 13 games is there are a lot of positives and based on the numbers and the metrics, they're trending up.

Adam Kaufman (13:01)

You know, here's something we haven't spoken about on this show. Ev and Abby, you would have a unique potential intel into it. Certainly you're a lot closer to the situation than either of the two of us is when it comes to the rotations and the uncertainty of them right now. Like, you know that Brown, White, Pritchard, Hauser, Keda. Like you know, who, who's firmly in the rotation. But then you have over the course of the year. Not right now, over the course of the year, Minot, Walsh, Ugo, Garza. Some of these guys that, you know, their roles have you know, been more or less prominent kind of by the game. And I don't take that as to be somebody landing on, you know, in, in the doghouse for Joe or something like that. It's more him just trying to experiment and figure out like, what the hell do I have here to work with. You know, we've talked about that a lot. The side of it we haven't talked about is what's the impact of that on Jaylen Brown as the number one for this team. Trying to just sort of sift through all of it and survive it and thrive around it while, you know, playing his game and getting, not that he's focused on getting his numbers, but playing his game and elevating guys around him and, and just making this team as competitive as it can possibly be while having this musical chairs of pieces going on around him.

Abby Chin (14:29)

I don't think that you can understate what Jalen has done for this team yet this season on the floor. Yes. And being able to maneuver all of those. I mean, obviously his playmaking, we have talked about it for years, but it coming to the forefront and the turnovers are down and the assists, while the number itself might not be there, the hockey assists and the playmaking, to me, the way the decisions that he's making are there and you're seeing that out on the floor regardless of who's out there with him, but just the leadership that he has shown throughout the summer, taking these guys under his wing, organizing workouts, being in the gym, talking to guys, doing everything that he can in that respect, but then also just leading by example. Having the hamstring injury that he suffered in the last game of the preseason, while yes, obviously was relatively minor, that he could play through it, but he made it A point it is spent on. He has taken it upon himself to play every single game this season because he knows that that's what this team needs from him. And, and so he did everything in his power to be able to play. He's played every single game, including back to backs. They had five and seven at one point in October and Jaylen Brown was out there. And he's also standing up in front of the media, taking the heat for those close losses and also remaining positive and not blaming anyone, not putting any sort of undue pressure on the guys who are struggling or the young guys who are coming up and making mistakes as they will, because no one is perfect. And so I just, I don't think you can understate what Jalen Brown has done for this team. And yes, to answer your question, Adam, I think that it is going to be something that will continue to be kind of a revolving rotation depending on who's playing well and then also what the matchups ask for. But I think that this is something that Joe has done. Maybe not as much because you knew who was going to be out there, but he's tried to instill in these guys that you need to be ready at any moment. No question with the stay ready group, but even with the starters. And it's just a mindset and I think that he is drilling that into these guys and we're starting to see it show through. I mean, you look at Jordan Walsh and Josh Minot. Josh Minot went out there and played every minute like it was going to be the last of his life. And he got rewarded with the starting role. And Jordan Walsh saw that, went out and did the same thing and got his first start of the season last game. And so I think that these guys are seeing what it takes. What level is going to be required for you to stay out on the floor. And they're meeting it and hopefully that means good things going forward.

Adam Kaufman (17:21)

I have, I just want to follow up on that real quick because. And this is, this is going to be an apples to oranges comparison. I will it. But thinking back to. What was it, the 2018-19 season when.

Abby Chin (17:33)

I'm back with time, Adam.

Adam Kaufman (17:35)

So that was, so that was, that was the year that obviously, you know, you were thinking you were going to have Kyrie Irving and you were going to have Gordon Hayward and all of these guys over the course of the year, they get hurt and it, it becomes, you know, it's all of a sudden it's like there, there's this coming out Party for Jason Tatum and his development was accelerated. Right? And everyone still talks about the block on LeBron. You go to the playoffs and you have. You're one win away from reaching the NBA Finals at a time this team was not ready to be in the NBA Finals. That is not me leading into a question of do you think this Celtics group, Don't worry, I know they're not going to the NBA Finals. What I'm thinking about is I think a lot of us ev, we did a lot, you know, in those days thought about the aspect of. Is this. Well, it sucks now not having Kyrie, not having Gordon, not feeling like you're a true contender. Is this better in the long term? Because Brown, Tatum, these guys are getting reps they never could have dreamed of at this stages of their career and, and playoff setting and all of that. Is this going. Are we going to look back a year from now when Tatum is healthy? They've made whatever moves in the off season, God willing, they're in the contender conversation again, all of that. And say, man, what Ugo and Minot and Walsh and you know, whoever of these young guys that is fighting for this opportunity that survives it ultimately in terms of being in a Boston Celtics uniform, are we going to look back a year from now and say, all right, well, it sucked that Tatum was out, but man, did those guys benefit to a point that that is really going to help this team now in a way that we wouldn't have envisioned before?

Abby Chin (19:22)

I mean, I hope so. A lot of those guys are on short contracts and then if you are going to start building up towards winning again, and I know the second apron and all of that, the money will be limiting and what they can do, but I am curious to see how many guys end up back next year ultimately, just because that is the way of the NBA, but. And these guys are showing out and so, I mean, you know, might be able to get more money elsewhere a lot. Evan Turner or Luke Cornett for that matter. And so I think it speaks to the development staff of the Celtics and the work that they are able to do with these guys day in and day out. But I think the one name that you mentioned that really stands out to me is Hugo Gonzalez. And I'm not sure anyone knew that a 19 year old coming in from Spain who played less than 11 minutes a game for his professional team in Spain could come out here and compete and hold his own against some of the best players in the NBA. His defensive instincts are off the charts. Joe Missoula tells us over and over again. And the fact that he can. I think a lot of us just assumed that he would be spending a lot of time in Maine, and I don't think that's going to happen. He is a viable part of this team and he brings that level of chaos, particularly on the defensive end, that that Joe Missoula has been begging for all season. And then as long as he knocks down some threes and continues to spread the floor, Ugo has been one of the biggest surprises for me so far this season and someone who I think will bring value to this team going forward.

Adam Kaufman (21:03)

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Evan Valenti (21:37)

Prize picks 2000x3x1x it's all good, Kaufman. It's all good. And we have another Friday show, which means we have another flex play Friday with Prize Picks. Last week we just missed out on the case. Not the case on Booty the Demario Douglas, more than 36 and a half receiving yards. Coffee came up two and a half yards short, which you know is annoying. It's tough. You had we, you know, you have those moments with your lineups where, you know, you, you pegged it right. You know you had it right. You just came up just a little bit short. So yeah, we're gonna keep moving on with a positive attitude here this week. In week 11, first part of our lineup, we're going to Spain. Jaylen Waddle, more than a half a touchdown versus the Commanders. I actually think the Dolphins here are a live underdog, if you could call it that. I don't even know if they are favorite actually.

Adam Kaufman (22:33)

Shockingly. Yeah.

Evan Valenti (22:34)

Wow. Well, I know Waddle's been a lot better since Hill's been basically, you know, gone for the entire season. And last week against the Bills, I, I saw some things I like. So we're gonna take that. Chase Brown More than 77 and a half rushing and receiving yards versus the Steelers. I like these rushing and receiving yards. Props or these these parts of your lineups just because to me. I, I don't know how he'll get there, but he'll get there. This Steelers defense is bad. We saw what happened last time. A lot of points, a lot of yards. Think Chase Brown is going to be all right and then Zach Charbonnet we're going to go more than five and a half receiving yards versus the Rams. Yes, five and a half. He basically has to have like one catch out of the backfield and I think we'll, we'll, we'll nail that part of our, of our lineup. So Jalen Waddle more than a half a touchdown. Chase Brown More than 77 and a half rushing receiving yards. Zach Charbonnet more than five and a half receiving yards. That is my flex play for the week. If I hit all three, it's 4x because they're that that Jalen Waddle touchdown part is a little more juice under it. And if I hit 2 out of 3, it's still 1x. So confident. I'm feeling confident. Feeling great. And getting your money from price fix as you know couldn't be any easier. You're talking Venmo. Whether it's your, your debit card, your bank account doesn't matter. It hits almost immediately whenever you want.

Adam Kaufman (23:57)

And you know what I like doing when I win something? Getting the money. I'm all about that withdrawal, man. If that, if that number is big enough, put it right in my wallet so as little as 15 minutes you can watch that money roll into your account. Download the app today the code clns. You get fifty dollars in lineups after playing your first five dollar lineup again. Download the prize picks app. Go do it right after this show ends. Heck, you can do it while you're listening to the show. Use the promo code clns. Get fifty dollars in lineups after playing your first for only five bucks. Prize picks. It's good to be right. All right. Back with Abby, with Evan obviously. And you know, I, I think is again we're what, 14, 15% of the way through the year? Something like that. Like we got a lot of season left in front of us here in terms of what we've seen so far. I know the results have been inconsistent at times underwhelming. I, it's, I'm still sort of come to grips with the Utah Jazz loss. It, it really pissed me off that night. What are you. You just talked about Ugo Gonzalez and I, I agree. I think he has been one of those bright spots that again rookie contract. He's not going anywhere. At least I'D be really surprised. We can look toward his growth in the coming years in the NBA. But for this season, what's something that has been enjoyable to you through the first 13 games that you're looking forward to seeing more of or continuing to develop or label it however you want to, obviously, in the, you know, months to come here. Throughout this year, while we wait for Jason Tatum's inevitable return, it has been.

Abby Chin (25:35)

The guys who were. I don't want to say lesser knowns. I'm looking for the right word, but it is. It's the Josh Minot and the Jordan Walshes.

Adam Kaufman (25:43)

Sure.

Abby Chin (25:44)

Who we are just getting to know. We know Jordan and Sam Houser was talking today at practice about, um, Jordan coming in. He was only 19 as well, and just you know how young that is. Imagine what we're thinking about what we were all doing at 19, and then to come in to be. Have to be a professional. But he comes in on that team and they win a championship in that first season. I know he didn't touch the floor much, but I just remember one of his first press conferences, and Al Horford was his vet at the time, and he said he hadn't watched the Godfather movie. And all of us were like, oh, my God. Who. How old are you? What's going on?

Adam Kaufman (26:20)

At least he's heard of it, right?

Abby Chin (26:21)

I don't think so. I don't know. I don't know. And I don't know. I still don't. I don't. He said he started to watch it and it. He could not get into it. So I'm not sure he ever did finish it. That is not a knock on Jordan Walsh. That is just to say that Jordan Walsh.

Adam Kaufman (26:38)

The classics are the classics. Yeah.

Evan Valenti (26:39)

I mean, it's a knockout for Jordan Walsh from my perspective, for sure. Like, maybe not everybody else, but.

Adam Kaufman (26:44)

Yeah, maybe you're not knocking them. We're going to knock him on your behalf.

Evan Valenti (26:47)

Absolutely.

Abby Chin (26:47)

Get it. I mean, to sit down. The movie's like three hours long, isn't it?

Adam Kaufman (26:52)

It's.

Abby Chin (26:52)

It's long.

Evan Valenti (26:54)

All three of them are long. The first two are worth it for sure.

Abby Chin (26:57)

Okay. Either way. Just wait a minute.

Evan Valenti (27:01)

Abby, have you seen the Godfather?

Abby Chin (27:03)

I've seen it once, and I've only seen the first one.

Adam Kaufman (27:06)

Oh, the second one.

Evan Valenti (27:08)

That's why she's taking it easy on him. Cough.

Adam Kaufman (27:09)

Yeah. This is the problem. Godfather 2 is even better than the first one.

Abby Chin (27:15)

Yeah. Gratuitous violence. Lover in general, anyway. Okay.

Adam Kaufman (27:21)

Gratuitous what?

Abby Chin (27:23)

Gratuitous violence.

Adam Kaufman (27:24)

You Prefer the non gratuitous violence. Yeah.

Abby Chin (27:26)

All right. I prefer the emotionally romantic comedies. Happy endings is what I prefer.

Adam Kaufman (27:33)

So a rom com.

Abby Chin (27:34)

Yes. Yeah.

Adam Kaufman (27:36)

Yeah, there's some good ones out there.

Abby Chin (27:38)

Some people make that argument. I. I would say no. Okay. So Jordan Walsh.

Evan Valenti (27:44)

Yes.

Abby Chin (27:45)

Was young ones too.

Adam Kaufman (27:46)

So I think he still is.

Abby Chin (27:50)

His maturity and I think even throughout summer leagues and the preseason, it was kind of like, is Jordan going to get it? And it's been really cool to see. It feels like a switch flip. And all of a sudden in these last handful of games, he gets it. He's in the right spots defensively, he's taking the coaching and he's knocking down shots, but being in the right position and making the right decisions when they need to be made. And so I think that's been really cool to see and to see him kind of, because he has. He's always kind of showed us a little bit of his personality. So now he gets to be that a little bit more. To see that confidence build, that's something that I did a hit on. Jordan and Scal talked about it, that with every minute, every touch, every basket that goes in, as a young player, you build confidence. And Tommy Hindson used to say that all the time, that when you're a young player, the biggest barrier that you have to get over is to believe that you belong there. And I think that Jordan Wash is finally starting to see that and believe that in himself and then also understand what it takes to stay there. And so we'll see if he can maintain that consistency. And the same with Josh Minot, who has been in this league for some time, but has talked to us about his role in Minnesota was really a learning role. And so now he's kind of able to take all of those lessons and scouts at it on air. He was like, that's actually, you know, Anthony Edwards being like, Josh, just, I got this. Let me, let me, let me cook. But to take all of those lessons and everything from that, to bring it into this situation and then make the most of that opportunity and see that you really do need to play literally balls to the wall every second that you are on the floor, that's what will keep you here. I think that those are important lessons for NBA players to learn and something that will help to carry him through and actually elongate his career in this league. And so I think that's been cool to see those guys kind of starting to figure things out and understand what it takes and then to watch that on the floor. Like Josh Minot is so fun to watch on the floor. The offensive rebounds, the putbacks, the energy, and then he does it all with a smile afterwards. And so I think those guys have been really fun to see and have been highlights. And then if Peyton Pritchard and Derek White can start to find some consistency here in their new larger roles, I think that will also be fun because those are two great guys who you want to see succeed.

Adam Kaufman (30:27)

Ev, what is your cabinet position in the Jordan Walsh fan club?

Evan Valenti (30:31)

Oh man, I'm on the board for sure. I really enjoyed the Jordan Walsh stuff. I think it's the biggest storyline of the entire season because here's a young guy that you drafted in the second round that had a ton of potential, but very green. Like just hasn't had the reps yet, but you saw a lot of, you know, some point forward stuff, some defensive stuff. Certainly has the measurables of a guy that should be a very good defensive player. You know, at that point, if you can just stand in the corner, hit threes, move the ball, cut and then defend your ass off and rebound the basketball, you're gonna get playing time. And he's done all those things. And with this team that's a little, you know, trans in this transition phase when you have, you know, some older guys for sure with, with, you know, I'll put Tatum and Brown and the older guys, you know, which is crazy.

Abby Chin (31:19)

To say too but like when you.

Evan Valenti (31:21)

Compare the 21 year old Jordan Walsh, 9 year old Lugo Gonzalez, like those guys are, those guys are older but they're. You're gonna need young reinforcements. You know, it might not obviously factors. This is contract situations a little bit different than than Jordans but still like lump that in the same, the same basket of you're gonna need young affordable contracts and bodies to be able to sustain this thing in the long term. Right with the second apron stuff when you can hit on second round picks and you can hit on vet minimum guys you can hit on a first rounder late in the first round, like these are all ginormous pieces and the wall stuff. To be able to go from being the primary defender on Tyrese Maxey, who's been an absolute nightmare for everybody this year, including the Celtics. That first game him and Vijay Edgecomb took just went back and forth killing the Celtics up and down the floor to come in, guard him in the third and fourth quarter, be the primary defender on Tyrese Maxi in crunch time. That's a 21 year old who really doesn't have A lot of a ton of NBA experience. And go from that to starting the next game and guarding Triple J from the jump, forcing a missed shot the first trip down, blocking a shot the next trip down. I'm sitting here, I'm like, this is, this is like found gold right here. This is unbelievable stuff from a team building standpoint. The trajectory that Jordan Walsh has put himself on is going to be extremely important for the Celtics as they go forward. Like, this whole year is a, is a, is a transition year. And when you asked the question earlier of, you know, what are the big, you know. Well, we know at the end of the year, like the, the fact that we'll have some clarity at the end of the year of what direction this team will move in, that's what's exciting. Like, okay, all this data is going to give us at least a path forward for the next iteration of the Celtics. And what's really great, the past couple of games and I would be surprised if this change just given what we've seen. It looks like Jordan Walsh is going to be a part of this team and not just like a small tertiary whatever piece. Like, no, no. He's going to be a guy that you can trust to come in and guard some really hard assignments. And look, we'll see what Jason Tatum looks like when he gets back, but we know defensively what he's capable of. We know when things are on the line, Jalen Brown can be an unbelievable defender. We know Derrick White is one of the best defending guards in recent basketball history. You're at another guy to this equation and he's going to make not a ton of money. That is so, so, so huge. I haven't, I, I have the smile on my face. Copy. I wish you could see it. When I watch Jordan Walsh, like do all this defensive stuff is just the best because you're seeing a young guy truly get it and you're seeing it click like literally in real time that this guy can really make a huge difference. And yes, the Minap stuff, Ugo stuff.

Adam Kaufman (34:09)

That'S going to need to watch a game together, I think.

Evan Valenti (34:12)

Yeah. But this Walsh thing is a little different because he's been in the system for a while and it hasn't quite worked out, but he hasn't had the opportunity. But now that he does, I said to Jack Simone, it's proof of concept that what this others are doing is actually working. And so there are so many questions about the future of this team, but I think the direction that they want to head in is the right one in every game. I think we get a little more data with that and so just Jordan Walsh by himself is going to make this season so much better for at least just for me personally. I don't know about you guys, but I've loved watching him play. It's been fantastic.

Abby Chin (34:48)

Adam, who stood out to you, who's been your favorite so far?

Adam Kaufman (34:52)

I, I'm slow going on the Walsh thing. I like I, I agree.

Abby Chin (34:58)

Cautiously optimistic.

Adam Kaufman (34:59)

Cautiously optimistic. Yeah. I think we, we still need to see more. I am so I, I, I'm, I'm a hoop head, I'm an NBA fan, but I wouldn't claim to know like all the bottom of the rotation, barely in the rotation guys across the league. And I will readily admit when the Celtics signed Josh Minot to a two year deal, I'm not entirely sure I even knew the name, let alone could tell you anything about his game and what he has come in and done. Illustrating a lot of what you guys have already talked about from yeah, it's great if he can get a put back dunk or hit the occasional three, that sort of thing but for me it's the contagious energy, effort, enthusiasm, the fact that this dude is playing for his basketball life every time he takes the floor and that kind of stuff is just, that's what it maybe he could have a role with this team starting but I think that's short lived, you know, in, in the long term. You know, I think you view him more as obviously just a, a rotational piece, but if he can be a solid reliable in the playoffs, part of your top eight, a guy that can come in and just shift the energy of a game, be a stalwart defensively, fill out the box score, the occasional steal block, offensive rebound, whatever it is, and again chip in some assists, some points, whatever it is from time to time. I don't need them to average X and X, you know what I mean? Just come in and hashtag, you know, impact. Winning a la Marcus Smart, if you will like that to me is the dream, especially at the just by NBA standards joke of a contract that this team has him on right now, this year and next year. It's incredible. And you know, this just, it feels like and I know he hasn't been as involved the last couple of games as he was during that starting run. But you know, I've made the comparison here and elsewhere a couple of times to Derrick White and it's not a totally fair comparison because I don't believe Minot is Going to grow into what White has become and be this, you know, bonafide, starting fringe, all star, all defensive team kind of guy.

Abby Chin (37:14)

New guy. Yeah, yeah.

Adam Kaufman (37:16)

But where I will make the comparison is, you know, I think people and we, we've talked about it enough here. So like our listeners know this, but when the Celtics went out and acquired Derrick White, that was, you know, he, he was sort of similar in that not a lot of people knew him. Obviously, if you were a Spurs fan, you knew him and you knew how he could, you know, be good. But he was more well known than Minot, don't get me wrong. But he wasn't a guy that, you know, I don't think ev people could have fathomed coming into Boston and growing into what he has become. He was a diamond in the rough kind of acquisition for Brad Stevens and company. And it feels like in a similar vein, Minot can be another one of those guys, which is exactly what the Celtics had to go out and acquire this year by luck, purpose, whatever it is, simply because of going full circle with what you talked about earlier with the aprons, where they are financially, you need some of those lower paid guys to fill out your rotation that are serviceable, more than serviceable, can come in and play and be competitive and not just eat a roster spot.

Evan Valenti (38:29)

I also just like that it seems that he loves the city of Boston so far. Maybe it's just because he's getting opportunity.

Abby Chin (38:34)

He's embracing it for sure.

Evan Valenti (38:36)

Yeah, the games have been entertaining. You know, he's, he's at least you know, playing in front of a nice capacity crowd. It's not like he's playing in front of like nobody. The crowd's into it. You know, he provides the energy. So people, I mean I. Abby, you must feel this in the arena that you know, he gets on the floor and makes a big play. Like it does bring a different type of juice from the crowd. People reacting well. So it seems like he's enjoy that, that, that's the thing that at the end of the day, like, I like guys that like to be in Boston representing the Boston Celtics. Like that to me is a big deal. So what do you. I don't know if it was you or if it was Caleb Burton after the game that had a conversation with him where he's like the first thing you say. I love being here. I just, just, I love being in this, in this arena. I love playing for this team. I'm like, this is, this is how you get guys, people on your side. You Just love.

Abby Chin (39:20)

Yeah.

Evan Valenti (39:20)

Talk about how much you love being here, because we also clearly love being here. We might be miserable sometimes. We also love being here. So I'd. That's a big deal for me personally. I don't know about you, Abby.

Abby Chin (39:30)

They get fans in Minnesota, but I just. They weren't all cheering for him at that time.

Adam Kaufman (39:35)

Yeah, well, I think. And I can't speak to it. I mean, you, like, you used to cover the Blazers, so you can certainly speak to Portland, but you've traveled the NBA, so maybe you can speak to some of the other cities as well. I feel like one thing that is very true about Boston sports fans across the board. What we're just talking about basketball, but I think this is true of every sport in this city. We love our role players. We love our, you know, less heralded guys. I don't know if it's the kind of blue collar workman, like, nature of the city or. Or how, however you want to determine it, but that does feel. And it exists certainly in some spots in the NBA, but I don't think that's a universal thing to where every city loves its role. Guys like you think the Lakers fans who barely care about the team to begin with give a crap about Anyone not named LeBron, Luca, maybe Reeves, you know what I mean?

Abby Chin (40:32)

They like Austin Reeves a lot.

Adam Kaufman (40:33)

Yeah.

Abby Chin (40:34)

And they're getting the Marcus Smart experience now.

Evan Valenti (40:37)

Right.

Adam Kaufman (40:37)

But you got to really, you know, filter it down, don't you think? And so I don't know how. How you. That is you. You know, in your mind, how unique is that in terms of Boston's love for. For the Minot's health, for the Scalabrinis of the world? Not to, you know, bring your co worker into this.

Abby Chin (40:56)

I will say Scala's as famous in Chicago as he ever was here. So whenever we walk the streets of Chicago, people like Scal.

Adam Kaufman (41:04)

Interesting.

Abby Chin (41:05)

So I can't speak to what other teams are, but I agree with you. And I think that it does have something to do with the lore of the sixth man and the value that that has always been to this franchise.

Adam Kaufman (41:15)

Yeah.

Abby Chin (41:15)

And I agree with you that it is those guys that they are really important to everything that is going on with the team, whether it's Blake Griffin who came in and kept that locker room light and lively even though he was playing intermittently throughout that entire season. It was a crazy season. Yes. Luke Cornett, absolutely. Even Sam Houser for these years coming into this, he's been just a steady, consistent guy who you just kind of Just that ho hum guy from Wisconsin talking about cheese and taking care of his family. And he's just a great guy and. And you want to see those guys succeed on the floor and they genuinely love Boston, feel the responsibility of wearing green and go out and embody that every night. And so I think that that is something that there is value and it is really important. And I think it's why we care so much about the stay ready group. Because as Boston fans are awesome and actually know the game and know how important those guys can be night in and night out. And it can. And that is Joe's message. And what he tries to stress is that every single one of these guys from 1 to 17, there could be a night this season. And I think that he says this all the time, but this year it's especially true. There could be a night this season where it is you. You are the one who impacts whether we win or lose a game. And so we need you to be ready and we need you to be at your best no matter what.

Adam Kaufman (42:43)

Does Sam Houser walk around talking about cheese?

Abby Chin (42:46)

He talks about cheese a lot. Yeah. Wisconsin cheese. You know, the cheese sense.

Adam Kaufman (42:52)

Sure. No, I've got one 20ft away from me, I've got a cheese head ironically purchased at the Mall of America in Minnesota, not in Wisconsin. But they had a Green Bay kind of close area store in there. Yeah. So bought one.

Abby Chin (43:06)

I know Patriots fans may not like it that he wears his Green Bay packers jerseys in to the arena all the time, but, you know, at least he's authentic, being true to himself.

Adam Kaufman (43:15)

Well, look, I mean, nobody owns St. Louis like Jason Tatum, so we just need to kind of get over those things. I think, believe it or not, until.

Abby Chin (43:24)

St. Louis gets an NBA team and they steal him away, that can be a problem.

Adam Kaufman (43:27)

Well, that. Yeah, that.

Abby Chin (43:28)

Let that go.

Adam Kaufman (43:29)

We don't need that. Yeah.

Evan Valenti (43:31)

Yeah.

Adam Kaufman (43:31)

Not all of these guys who are effectively transplants to our city fall in love with all of our teams. Believe it or not, everybody. Nice as that would be what's going.

Evan Valenti (43:41)

To make the AJ Advance, I think a lot easier when he just appears in the Celtics uniform. It's.

Abby Chin (43:49)

So.

Adam Kaufman (43:50)

Yeah.

Abby Chin (43:50)

So then where do you guys fall on this priorities question Evan.

Evan Valenti (43:56)

In terms.

Abby Chin (43:56)

Of like playing Saturday on the floor at TD Garden.

Adam Kaufman (44:00)

It's true.

Evan Valenti (44:01)

This is fantastic. I think this is so great for like, I love this little. The discussions around Cooper flag group. A Celtics fan, he's from Maine. He like watched Larry Bird tape when he was younger. I'm like, yes, feed. Feed me More of this stuff. I love that the bance is from Brockton and it's coming back to the Garden to play. I think it's a little weird. I think it's very weird and unusual, but I think it's kind of cool.

Abby Chin (44:27)

So I think that counts.

Evan Valenti (44:29)

That's true. But it's like, I. I think it's. I think it's gonna be a really cool moment. I think it's gonna be.

Adam Kaufman (44:34)

What's.

Evan Valenti (44:34)

What's the weird part that BYU is gonna play a. Basically a home game in TD Garden.

Adam Kaufman (44:41)

Basically.

Evan Valenti (44:42)

Gotcha. You don't find that weird?

Adam Kaufman (44:45)

Yeah, I mean, that's. Sure, that's. That's different, but obviously. Yeah. I mean, speaks to the.

Abby Chin (44:50)

Oh, I wonder if Danny's gonna come back. He did not come back for the Utah game. Maybe Danny will come back for byu. I'm kidding. I don't think he is.

Evan Valenti (45:01)

I just think that's bizarre that this is.

Adam Kaufman (45:03)

Could be in the running for him.

Evan Valenti (45:05)

That's true. It's just. It's gonna be a huge, huge thing. It'll be. It'll be way bigger than I am probably even giving it credit for right now just because, like. You ever go to a hoop hall classic, Kaufman?

Adam Kaufman (45:19)

I have not gone to it, no.

Evan Valenti (45:21)

The hall of Fame. Okay.

Adam Kaufman (45:23)

No.

Evan Valenti (45:23)

So I would take that because the energy at that particular event is nuts.

Abby Chin (45:29)

Really?

Adam Kaufman (45:30)

It's.

Evan Valenti (45:31)

Yeah. Especially when, like, a Zion or, like. Like a Jabari Parker, like, when there's a really big. It's hard to put Jabari Parker in. I just put the other Duke guy. But the idea being there's a lot of energy in that building, and if it's someone, like, really, really special, then it's like, it's. Getting a credential was, like, almost impossible for that event. Like, with certain guys. I think it's gonna be like that.

Abby Chin (45:53)

On the game at TD Garden. It's through the Hollow. It's a Hall of Fame series game.

Evan Valenti (45:57)

Yeah. So I think it's gonna have that sort of feel to it, but, like, instead of a very small. It's going to be in an NBA scale. I think it's going to be super cool. And really, a. Really a. Only a few particular places could, like, put something like this together. Obviously, like, MSG could have a similar feel. Like, if you ever go to a Biggie's tournament game back in the day, like, it was, like, always magical. Or, like, maybe LA could figure this out. Or Chicago. Like, there's only a couple places in America where you could have this happen. I think this is gonna be super cool, but I get it. Super, super, super weird. But I'm gonna embrace it. I'm gonna embrace all the conspiracy theories, all of it. I. I will just. So that's. This is the beauty of having a team that's not competing for a title. We can focus on so many other weird storylines. Just.

Adam Kaufman (46:39)

Well, to. To that end, Abby, I mean, you haven't been on with us in a year, obviously. And I will tell you, in the last few months or so, a lot of conversation on this podcast and elsewhere and certainly on your network there at NBC Sports Boston has, you know, focused around the what's in the best interest of the organization this year, you know, to. To get yourselves in the best position to chase Banner 19 come the fall with a healthy Jason Tatum. We don't know. It's like Evan and I have been believers for a little while now. The Tatum is going to play this year. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. We'll see how that plays out. But do you think I know the organization well? I don't know what the organization wants. I know what the organization would tell you it wants, which is obviously go out, be competitive, you know, fight to win. There's no tanking any of that. And I don't believe anybody out there on the floor or on the coaching staff or any. There's no tanking. Nobody's throwing away games or anything. But there's strategic moves that could be made that send you in that direction. Prolonged absences for guys that are a little tweaked. Maybe they sit out a little longer than they otherwise would simply because you're not as concerned with winning games. Do you think this franchise in its best interests, behind closed doors, truth serum for Brad and Zarin and all of these guys want to be in the middle of the Eastern Conference in a playoff spot this year and see what they can do or want to have a top five, top seven lottery pick.

Abby Chin (48:13)

No, I think True Serum. They want to go as far as they can and play as well as they can and win as many games as possible. I wholeheartedly believe that, number one, there is a new ownership group and there is no way that that new ownership group wants to come in and in their first year, be the ones who are actively tanking. Number two, I think that, as they say, you know, don't listen to what they say, follow what they do. And to me, Jalen Brown playing on that hamstring every single night. And while Joe Missoula says told us today that he's 100% healthy. But if the team had any sort of aspirations of possibly playing on the fence and trying to do both ways of that win every night, but also see if maybe we do creep into the lottery, I think you could have made an argument to hold Jalen out some of those games. And I don't think that they would have selected the players that they did in the off season if they were going to try to do that. So, no, I think that this team wants to get all of these guys as much experience as they can and see where that puts them. And then the hope is you bring Jayson Tatum back fully healthy next season and you're a championship contender again. I mean, look at what they found in Nemi's kid, who has to me legitimately become a starting center in the NBA, has taken the hard coaching from Joe, continues to do that and has shown marked market improvement. I mean, from game to game, season to season, month to month. And so he has proven to be a legitimate big in this league. League regardless of what they end up doing if he does end up coming off the bench, if they get another big who's a starter, what if Al Horford comes back again and then Mimi can start and play the bulk of those minutes and we just bring Al off the bench every once in a while. I think that development is. Is the priority. Getting these guys as good as they can, winning as many games as possible to me is. Is the. The ultimate goal. And truthfully, authentically is what the Celtics are trying to do this season.

Adam Kaufman (50:23)

Well, sorry, A.J. so much for the homecoming.

Evan Valenti (50:27)

It's all right. But like, think about it.

Abby Chin (50:29)

That's not to say that they couldn't. I mean, if Jalen is an actual injury and some of these guys go.

Adam Kaufman (50:35)

Down, I mean, the Mavericks were in the play in tournament last year and got the number one overall pick.

Abby Chin (50:41)

I do think there is some aggressive tanking going on throughout the league that the Celtics maybe have already won too many games to actually be competitive in.

Adam Kaufman (50:50)

That six and seven in that goal. You've done too much winning.

Evan Valenti (50:56)

But as we've seen, purposely tanking doesn't always guarantee you anything. I mean, Philly and.

Abby Chin (51:01)

And even when you do those young guys coming in, it takes a while for them to develop. Cooper Flag has, has been great and shown flashes, but he's not impacting winning with the Dallas Mavericks right now. And even though he's doing it, he has to do it all himself. I understand that. But like Jason and Jalen are just. Are in their primes now. And this is Jalen's 10th year in the league, so it's. That's all fun to talk about tanking. Yay. Let's see what happens. Enjoy the. Enjoy the journey of losing. But embrace the journey of losing. But like those young players, no matter how talented they are, it takes time. Time to develop and become an impactful NBA player. Unless you're bringing them onto an already championship level team.

Adam Kaufman (51:49)

Why do I get and enjoy the journey of losing bumper sticker.

Abby Chin (51:52)

Get excited.

Adam Kaufman (51:54)

That's what we need. Yeah.

Abby Chin (51:56)

Embrace the process.

Adam Kaufman (51:58)

You embracing the process.

Evan Valenti (51:59)

F. Always having.

Abby Chin (52:02)

This is the pro. The process is to win.

Adam Kaufman (52:04)

Yeah.

Evan Valenti (52:05)

Process is the end. It is just to compete. And I think they're doing that. I mean, again, it's not like they're Philly rolling out what they were rolling out some of those lean years, you know, like, this is a team that tries and cares and does all that stuff. And usually the basketball gods reward you with something in. In return for that. Like, you know, it's not, it's not like they're gonna. They're gonna roll over and die here. No, they're gonna play. They're gonna play really hard. And they'll probably get someone that fits their ethos, whether it's at pick number five or pick number 16. Like, it's just probably gonna work out like in, you know, I've. Kaufman, I've been sending you every couple of days or a couple of weeks. Another guy that I like in the strap class. So just, just, you know, keep checking those out. They're not going to be the, the, the, the, the. The Nicholas, the kid from Virginia Tech who's there like point guard, shooting guard, point Forward guy who's 69 and does a bunch of fun stuff like that. Could be a fun guy to have. He's not going top five. Like, he's not gonna be hurt.

Abby Chin (53:04)

It's supposed to be historically deep, right?

Adam Kaufman (53:06)

So. Yeah, a lot of people say like 11 through 7, 8, you know, you feel pretty good.

Evan Valenti (53:12)

Yeah. And like, like, look, if they're bad, they end up with the top, right?

Abby Chin (53:20)

Sorry, Evan.

Adam Kaufman (53:20)

Yes.

Evan Valenti (53:21)

No, you're fine.

Adam Kaufman (53:22)

Get ready for some win. And I know they lost outright as a double digit favorite against Utah, but guess what? You just beat the tar out of Memphis. Curb stomp that team. Rightfully so. They stink. Now you got the six straight losses, Clippers coming into town who are another dumpster fire that you should win on Sunday. Then you have a home and home with the 1 in 10 nets who suck like you read about. That should be four wins in a row. And then you have Orlando. All right. Norlando's gonna be tough. So I think right here. Get ready. Celtics are about to be above 500.

Abby Chin (53:56)

EV stack some wins.

Adam Kaufman (53:59)

Stacks.

Evan Valenti (53:59)

I just keep going back to suck. What you like. You read about, like, that's like something.

Abby Chin (54:03)

Is that a common saying?

Evan Valenti (54:05)

Yeah, I don't know. That's.

Adam Kaufman (54:07)

That's right.

Evan Valenti (54:09)

Enjoy the. The. The journey of losing. That's the next bumper sticker next to that is terrible. Like, you read about. I don't know.

Adam Kaufman (54:16)

I feel like that would have been laying on a T shirt, actually.

Abby Chin (54:19)

Oh, no, I shouldn't have said it. Someone's gonna clip that out.

Adam Kaufman (54:22)

No, no.

Evan Valenti (54:25)

Harrison, clip that out. Oh, why did I use the words out loud?

Adam Kaufman (54:31)

Oh, that's good. That's good.

Abby Chin (54:33)

Harrison, clip the six sevens.

Adam Kaufman (54:35)

Yeah, just only clip the six. Seven.

Abby Chin (54:37)

Only clip the six sevens.

Adam Kaufman (54:38)

That's it.

Abby Chin (54:39)

How many times do we get six, seven into a podcast after it's already.

Adam Kaufman (54:43)

Left popular culture that has to be at least 17. But that speaks to you and I both being, you know, parents of young children that, you know, we don't. We don't get hip to something till it's over.

Abby Chin (54:54)

Still in our houses.

Adam Kaufman (54:57)

Yeah. Good stuff.

Abby Chin (54:59)

Well, thanks for having me, guys. Nice to see you. Let's do it again next year.

Adam Kaufman (55:02)

Let's do it again this season. Let's be bold.

Abby Chin (55:06)

I don't know.

Adam Kaufman (55:06)

I don't know.

Abby Chin (55:07)

Let's not go crazy.

Adam Kaufman (55:08)

Yeah. It's already November, guys. I don't know.

Abby Chin (55:11)

Exactly. How much time do we really have left?

Adam Kaufman (55:14)

Yeah. Oh, too much. Not enough. All. All at once. All right, well, For Abby Chin, NBC Sports Boston on Twitter @TV. Abby for. And, yeah, I still call it Twitter because I am an old for. Evan Valenti, Adam Kaufman, thank you so much for watching again. Check out the CLNs All Access page for Celtics content. Lots of Great Seas content available to you across many podcasts, all across the network in general, and of course, the audio version. Wherever you get your podcast as well. We will be back with you after the Celtics. Let's see again, it's the next third, so Friday. Yeah, it could be Saturday next week. It. It could be. We might be talking about the 9 and 7 Celtics next time we get together. Let's hope. Sorry, A.J. all right. Bye.

Evan Valenti (56:06)

Bye.

Adam Kaufman (56:07)

Thanks.

Abby Chin (56:10)

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