Celtics Beat Podcast: Episode 671 – "Celtics Holding Back in Final Knicks Battle?"

Host: Adam Kaufman with Evan Valenti
Guest: Keith Smith (Spotrac, The Front Office Show)
Date: April 10, 2026

Overview

This episode digs into the Boston Celtics’ recent playoff-prep mentality, including a revealing loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Adam Kaufman, Evan Valenti, and guest Keith Smith explore whether the Celtics were strategically holding back in this possible playoff preview, debate Boston’s frontcourt questions, celebrate Baylor Shireman’s breakout, and tackle the relentless Giannis-to-Boston trade rumors, all against the backdrop of Jayson Tatum’s emotional MSG return after last year’s Achilles injury.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Celtics vs. Knicks – Was Boston Holding Back?

[05:15]

• The Celtics lost a close game at MSG, possibly leaving the door slightly open for the Knicks to move up to the 2-seed in the East, but Boston appears unconcerned about seeding.
• Keith Smith: "I think these are two teams that feel very confident they may meet in the second round... I think it was somewhat of a 'let's not show them anything' if we do play."
• Boston deployed just an eight-man rotation without Jaylen Brown and kept schemes basic to avoid tipping playoff strategies.

[07:24]

• Adam noted physical efforts, especially on the glass: "They out-rebounded the Knicks 42 to 30. I think Boston made a really concentrated effort to rebound... and control the possession game."
• Baylor Shireman’s standout night: 6-7 from three, 20 points—a major bright spot.

[08:57]

• What did Boston hold back?
  • No “Tatum at the five” lineups (a playoff trump card for smaller, switchable defense).
  • Limiting bench variations; certain players didn't appear at all.
  • Standard pick-and-roll coverages; expect more targeted attacks in a playoff series.

Keith: “Could go to Tatum at the five more. We didn’t see any of that... I think you could see a lot more of the ‘let’s pick through the matchups the way we want them.’”

Frontcourt Concerns: Vucevic vs. Garza

[10:43]-[14:48]

• The “Vuch” (Nikola Vucevic) experience: Underwhelming fit; fans frustrated by his defense and lack of chemistry, especially post-injury.

• Garza arguably fits better with the current roster's energy and pace.

  • Keith: "They're both unathletic white guys. Neither... is going to make an all-NBA defensive team."
  • Evan: “Garza provides a different type of energy…Joe’s gonna have to call on that more than Vuch.”

• Jayson Tatum's impact: Drives pace and offensive versatility, especially when paired with more energetic bench units.

• Versatility noted: Boston’s strength is in having several style options; playoff rotations may depend on matchups and required team tempo.

Jayson Tatum’s Emotional Return to Madison Square Garden

[18:28]-[27:19]

• Tatum played 40 minutes (team high), notching 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists in his first MSG game since rupturing his Achilles there last May.
• Adam: "Tatum made a big thing of [the return]... he expressed... anxieties and discomfort going back into that building."
• Keith: “His quote after was ‘I’m leaving on two feet this time’... shows where his mindset is at.”
• The hosts defend Tatum’s right to be vulnerable about injury trauma and criticize detractors in the media.

Evan: “We want authenticity and vulnerability from these guys, because we want to see their true characters, and then when they do, we give them shit for it. And I just think that's crazy..." [24:07]

• Tatum’s return has shown he’s not just back, but has improved as a rebounder and passer.
  • Keith: “He is leveled up as a passer—some of the passes he makes now are passes he wouldn’t have even attempted prior to this season.” [23:32]

Did Tatum “milk” his injury narrative?

• Keith: “I wouldn’t use ‘milk,’ but I would say took advantage of... an opportunity to control the story of my rehab, my comeback. So I’m gonna do it through this series of YouTube videos...” [29:23]
• The consensus is that this level of media presence is just modern sports—and Tatum’s seriousness and work are genuine.

Baylor Shireman’s Breakout & Boston’s Development Pipeline

[35:26]-[45:18]

• Adam: "We gotta give him a shine. Baylor Shireman: 30 minutes, 20 points, 7 of 8 shooting, 6 of 7 from 3... Is he a piece going forward?"
• Shireman has silenced offseason doubts, proving pivotal as a 40% three-point shooter, strong rebounder, and plus defender.
• Keith: "Blown away... His defensive ability, especially his on-ball defense against bigger wings... And the shooting. As this year’s gone along... he's driving closeouts, creating shots for himself and others. It's rounding out nicely."

Evan: “He has a really good knack of finding pockets to grab rebounds and he really goes after it... My favorite thing lately from Shireman—you saw... he can drive a closeout, be very comfortable with the ball in his hands... and then sprints to that spot, sets his feet really quick, gets square and hits one in somebody’s face.” [40:51]

• Boston keeps nailing late first-round picks (Pritchard, Hauser, Walsh, now Shireman): vital for team-building under the salary cap with two max stars at the top.
• Shireman’s unpredictability and fun factor have quickly made him a fan and locker room favorite.

Keith: "He looks like the guy who would have showed up after unloading the bale of hay, still has his work boots on, and is like, 'Hey, can we get a run in real quick?'" [43:51]

Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors: Do the Celtics Have Any Interest?

[45:18]-[59:38]

• The conversation gains pace in national media, relating to possible upheaval in Milwaukee.

• Adam: "I don't want any part of it. I don't need to do that. I don't think Brad wants to do that... The Celtics are pretty good where they are at."

• Keith: "There are theoretically ways you could [trade for Giannis] without involving the Jays, but... I just think we're so many years into this, it's gotta be Tatum or Brown. For a guy who’s older, injury-prone, with contract issues—it just doesn’t make sense. And that’s with Giannis praising Joe Mazzulla or not." [50:36]

• Both Keith and Evan emphasize Boston’s biggest strength: depth and lineup flexibility, which would be sacrificed in a superstar consolidation.

• The Bucks are unlikely to trade Giannis to Boston, and Boston is unlikely to dismantle a proven contender for one star, even of Giannis' stature.

Bucks Future: Giannis and Doc Rivers Both Out?

[59:38]-[61:03]

• Keith and Adam agree both Giannis and Doc Rivers are likely to leave Milwaukee after ongoing drama and underperformance.
• Doc’s recent “eight grandchildren” comments suggest retirement or a transition to an advisory role is imminent.
• Both see no realistic pathway for Giannis to land in Boston, with the Celtics more likely to act as a third-team facilitator than a destination.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Keith, on Tatum’s passing (23:32):
  "He has leveled up as a passer. Some of the passes he makes now are passes he wouldn’t have even attempted prior to this season."

• Evan, defending Tatum’s vulnerability (24:07):
  "We want authenticity and vulnerability from these guys, because we want to see their true characters, and then when they do, we give them shit for it. And I just think that's crazy…”

• Keith, on Shireman’s emergence (39:49):
  "He works really hard offensively. We knew he was going to be a great ball mover… then the shooting… Now he’s driving closeouts and creating shots for himself or others... It's just rounding out really, really nicely."

• Adam, on possible superstar consolidation (55:59):
  "Do you want to sacrifice all of that depth just to be star-heavy—or in this case, superstar-heavy? I don't want to do it. I don't think it makes sense."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Recent Results: 02:25–05:15
• Was Boston Holding Back vs. Knicks? 05:15–10:43
• Frontcourt Debate: Vucevic vs. Garza: 10:43–14:48
• Tatum’s Emotional MSG Return: 18:28–27:19
• On Tatum “Milking” the Comeback Story: 29:23
• Baylor Shireman’s Breakout & Team Building: 35:26–45:18
• Giannis Trade Rumors and Team Construction: 45:18–59:38
• Outlook for Bucks: Giannis & Doc: 59:38–61:03

Bottom Line / Takeaways

• Celtics Appeared to Hold Back vs. Knicks: Team confident, not showing full strategy ahead of possible playoff meeting.
• Depth & Versatility Are Core Strengths: Emerging contributors (Shireman, Garza, etc.) offer options, while "big-name" trades risk upsetting a proven formula.
• Tatum’s Full Recovery & Mental Growth: His return and honesty about injury show leadership; any "overexposure" is just the nature of modern athlete branding.
• Giannis-to-Boston is Highly Unlikely: Both for team-building philosophy and practical, financial, and interpersonal reasons.
• Shireman’s rise: A testament to Boston’s drafting and development pipeline—a hidden engine of recent success.

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