Green With Envy: Celtics vs Cavs RECAP, 1st Quarter Awards, and Mediocre Life Updates

Podcast: Green With Envy: A Boston Celtics Podcast
Episode Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Will and Greg | Producer: Alex
Summary by: [Podcast Summarizer]

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode recaps the Boston Celtics’ surprising 117-115 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, placing the Celtics at 11-9 after their first 20 games. The hosts, Will and Greg, dive into a detailed breakdown of the game, hand out first quarter team awards (MVP, biggest surprise, most improved, etc.), and, in classic Green With Envy fashion, close out with entertaining "Mediocre Life Updates" alongside producer Alex.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Celtics vs. Cavs Recap

(01:01–18:55)

• Surprise Win Context:

  • Celtics play without key players (Neus Queta, Derrick White) in the second night of a tough back-to-back.
  • Will: “I was 100% expecting to be 500… this first quarter has been an undeniable success.” (03:12)
  • Greg expresses that this win was the most unexpected of the season given how “stacked against them” it seemed.

• Peyton Pritchard’s Masterclass:

  • Pritchard led the charge, especially exploiting the Darius Garland matchup.
  • Greg: “Peyton Pritchard just owns Darius Garland. Tonight... nobody could guard him.” (05:10)
  • Will details Pritchard's line: 42 points (career-high on the road), 15-22 FG, 6-11 from three, 6-6 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists.
  • Notably, the Celtics let Pritchard cook late vs. Garland, and it worked.

• Jalen Brown’s All-Around Night:

  • Triple double: 19 pts (16-16 FT), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, though only 3-13 FG and six turnovers.
  • Will: “One of those nights where Jaylen Brown impresses without scoring.” (09:51)
  • He praised Brown for adjusting his game: “He did not settle when he was clearly tired.” (12:17, Greg)

• Jordan Walsh’s Breakout Performance:

  • Team-high 38 mins, 14 pts, 11 rebounds, excellent defense (notably on Donovan Mitchell, who was forced into 5 TOs).
  • Greg: “Jordan Walsh is really realizing his potential as an all-NBA level defender.” (15:22)

• Winning the Rebounding Battle:

  • Despite no Neus Queta and facing Evan Mobley, Celtics win the rebound battle thanks largely to Brown and Walsh.

• The East Landscape:

  • Both hosts comment on the East’s mediocrity and remaining Celtics hope if Tatum returns:
    • “There’s no reason this team can't be right back in the conference finals.” (16:37, Will)
    • Greg: “Does the entire team just revert back to Tatum Ball, or does he learn from these 50 games?” (18:15)

2. FIRST QUARTER CELTICS AWARDS

(20:21–53:16)

MVP: Jalen Brown

• Both agree it’s clearly Brown, who’s having his best season ever (close to 29 PPG, high usage, extreme durability).
• “Jalen Brown’s all-NBA right now. The only question is what team.” (21:43, Will)
• On Brown’s progression into a lead player without Tatum.
• Greg: “He’s arguably having a first-team All-NBA season, which is pretty great.” (24:58)

Biggest Surprise

• Greg: Baylor Scheierman
  • Expected him not to play at all; instead, he's trusted defensively and shooting lights out.
  • “Joe just trusts him… shooting the **** out of the ball.” (27:44)
• Will: Neus Queta (Nemi)
  • Became massively important as a starting-level big—huge on glass and defense.
  • Will: “It started to make me wonder… do we feel pretty good with Nemi as our starting center?” (31:51)

Most Improved

• Greg: Neus Queta
  • Now legitimately a top-15 NBA center by metrics.
• Will: Jordan Walsh
  • Transition from near DNP to starting wing to “junkyard dog” impact player (38:48, referential to Jerome Williams).
  • “His confidence… the instincts are starting to kick in.”

Biggest Disappointment

• Greg: Derrick White
  • Expected a borderline All-Star leap; shooting splits way down, impact merely average for his expectations.
  • “Although he’s been a disappointment, I don’t think he’s necessarily had like a bad season—it’s just I was expecting so much.” (41:44)
• Will: Anfernee Simons
  • Skill set hasn’t translated into consistent value.
  • “There hasn’t been enough of the Simons experience that I’ve enjoyed… just not enough.” (45:18)

TBD/Need To See More

• Joe Mazzulla as Head Coach
  • Will: “I’m very, very confused on how I feel about Joe Mazzulla as a coach.” (46:39)
  • Critique: Lineup choices, not leveraging Simons, and questionable late-game management.
  • “He is certainly above average as a coach. But… there’s something left to be desired.” (51:34, Will)
  • Greg notes Mazzulla’s “commitment to his principles… but he’s stubborn to a fault.” (50:40)

3. MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• On letting Pritchard cook:
  Will: “Can we just not go for that switch and let Peyton cook against Garland?” (06:17)
• On Jalen Brown’s new legacy:
  “We aren’t left with that ‘what if’ of just Jalen Brown forever being knocked. He’s at least now putting this in front of everybody.” (25:32, Will)
• On Neus Queta’s improvement:
  Greg: “I can't even remember the last time Nemi got called for one of those moving screens. He’s great, man.” (34:53)
• Jordan Walsh's new persona:
  “He kind of reminds me of… Jerome Williams. He was the Junkyard Dog... Jordan Walsh got that dog in him.” (39:46, Greg)

4. TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Celtics win Recap & Takeaways: 01:01–18:55
• First Quarter Awards: 20:21–53:16
  • MVP: 20:51–26:53
  • Biggest Surprise: 27:42–33:46
  • Most Improved: 33:46–39:46
  • Biggest Disappointment: 41:37–48:01
  • Mazzulla Coaching Debate (TBD): 46:39–53:16
• Mediocre Life Updates: 54:15–70:55
  • TV, underwear, dad struggles, and more.

5. MEDIOCRE LIFE UPDATE SEGMENT

(54:15–70:55)
Will, Greg, and Alex share amusing, relatable life updates—ranging from hand-foot-and-mouth illness, supply of new underwear from grandma, to binge-watching the new season of Stranger Things.

• Will: “Feel like a million bucks when you put on a brand new pair of underwear. That's a great feeling.” (66:09)
• Greg: “Hand, foot, and mouth is not something you want as an adult...” (56:50)
• Alex: “I only get underwear refills from my grandma… probably have like 70 things of underwear.” (66:49)

OVERALL TONE

Conversational, playful, passionate, and deeply invested in both Celtics basketball and each others’ lives. The show balances sharp basketball insight with moments of brotherly humor and self-deprecation.

FOR NEW LISTENERS

This episode is a perfect encapsulation of Green With Envy: sharp game analysis, honest award debate, irreverent humor, and warm camaraderie. The hosts deliver both basketball acumen and real-life relatability, making the pod worthwhile even for those who missed the live action.

End of Summary.