Green With Envy: Five Stats to Explain the Rise of the Boston Celtics

Podcast: Green With Envy: A Boston Celtics Podcast
Episode: Five Stats to Explain the Rise of the Boston Celtics
Release Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Will & Greg (Blue Wire)
Featured Guests: Insights referenced from Mike Gorman, Drew Carter, Amina Smith, Dana Barros

Episode Overview

Will and Greg break down the Boston Celtics’ impressive surge to third in the Eastern Conference (15-9) using five key statistical trends. This episode explores the transformation of the Celtics into a dynamic, “Brad Stevens-esque” underdog roster, the emergence of role players like Jordan Walsh and Nemius Queta, the philosophy of “Missoula Ball” and winning on the margins, and the elevated play of Jalen Brown. The hosts contextualize stats, player development, and team identity shifts—all with the lively tone and camaraderie that defines the Green With Envy podcast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Celtics’ 2024-25 Season: A Shift in Vibe and Enjoyment

• Unexpected Enjoyment: Both hosts agree this season feels more fun and “underdog” than recent years, despite last year’s record and star power.
  • “It’s just more fun rooting for an underdog, dude…. This feels like a Brad Stevens team.” — Greg (08:02)
• They highlight a renewed sense of irrational fandom, with wins feeling richer because of lower expectations and new contributors stepping up.

2. Stat #1 — The Jordan Walsh Emergence (12:00–18:54)

Defensive Versatility

• Notable Stat: Walsh’s recent assignment statistics: (via Jack Simone)
  • James Harden: 3-7; Donovan Mitchell: 2-8; Cade Cunningham: 0-6; Tyrese Maxey: 1-9; Franz Wagner: 1-4; Anthony Edwards: 3-7; Karl-Anthony Towns: 1-4; and more.
    (13:03)
• Quote:
  “If I just threw those names out to you with no context, that’s probably your guess as to what type of conversation you’re having and the versatility of Jordan Walsh defensively—which is feeling like he’s making an All-Defensive team case.” — Will (13:04)

Offensive Leap

• Recent Stretch:
  • Last 5 games: 14.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.8 ST+BLK
  • Shooting: 76.5% FG, 63.6% 3PT (7/11), 82.6% 2PT (19/23), 84.6% FT
    (15:04)
• Greg on Walsh’s “Iguodala potential”:
  “He’s stealing little bits of defensive identity from all these guys he’s been able to look up to over the past three years.” (14:15)
  • Walsh combines elements from Derrick White, Jalen Brown, Drew Holiday, and others.

Walsh vs. Other Defensive Specialists

• Will compares Walsh favorably as an all-around offensive/defensive contributor to the likes of Tony Allen, Thabo Sefolosha, Matisse Thybulle, Andre Roberson.
  • “Jordan Walsh is driving closeouts... he’s not just a defensive specialist. He’s not Tony Allen, if you will.” — Will (17:34)
• Confidence check: both still give prime Grant Williams the edge for now, but agree Walsh’s impact is trending toward irreplaceable.

3. Stat #2 — The Missoula Ball Turnover Revolution (23:32–26:57)

• Turnover Rate:
  • League best: 7.8 turnovers per game
• Context: Consistently among league leaders under Joe Mazzulla (Top 7 first year, Top 3 the next two, #1 now).
• Missoula Ball Philosophy:
  • Widely misunderstood as just launching threes, the real intent is “advantage basketball”—making the smart play and “winning on the margins.”
  • “Missoula Ball… is winning on the margins. Those are the two things I think of.” — Will (24:17)
• Personnel/Execution:
  • The shift to low-turnover, high-IQ players in Peyton Pritchard, Derrick White, and a minimized primary role for Jalen Brown has kept the Celtics at the top in turnover differential, even through injuries.

4. Stat #3 & #4 — Small Ball, Pace, and Winning the Margins (26:57–34:44)

Stat Grouping:

• Dead Last in Pace: Yet
• 3rd in FGA: (91.6 per game)
• 3rd in Second Chance Points: (17.5 per game)
• 5th in Offensive Rebounds
• “Despite being last in pace, they’re third in field goal attempts per game… the more shots you have, the better chance you have to win.” — Will (28:07)

Impact & Context:

• Offensive rebounding and second-chance points have skyrocketed, powered by Walsh, Minot, Ugo Gonzalez, and the wings.
  • Recent Knicks game: Walsh (4 OREB), Minot (3), Keta (2), Ugo (1); many for instant points. (31:21)
• Philosophy:
  “The league is becoming more of a chaotic league where you need to find those winning-on-the-margins things.” — Greg (32:44)
• Celtics’ willingness to crash the offensive glass sacrifices some transition D, but the math is working due to athletic, young, and high-motor players.

Aging Roster/Philosophical Change

• Last year’s team (“all names, reputation”) didn’t have this activity; this year’s group brings youthful legs and energy.

5. Stat #5 — Nemius Queta’s Screen Assists & Defensive Anchor (38:10–43:41)

• 4+ Screen Assists/9.8 Points per Game from Screens (via Scalabrine) — one of only eight NBA bigs at that level (39:46)
  • He’s evolved from foul-prone backup to a true starting center in the league.
  • “He’s a top 15 center in the NBA without question. The real question is how high can he go?” — Greg (41:15)
• On-Off Impact:
  • With Queta on the floor, the Celtics’ defense is elite; without him, small-ball units explode offensively but bleed points.
• Impact on Deadline Needs:
  • Queta’s emergence gives Brad Stevens more flexibility—either to trade for another big (Zubac/Claxton) or go the depth route.

Trade/Depth Discussion

• Listener questions: Should the Celtics target Zubac (“borderline all-NBA big”) or switchier Claxton? Consensus: Zubac is more impactful for what Boston needs, despite fit questions.
  • “You just got to take the talent… Zubac over Claxton 10 out of 10, but for price and fit, maybe Claxton.” — Greg (47:06)

6. Stat #6 (Bonus) — JAYLEN BROWN: All-NBA Leap, Drives, and “Awesomeness” (48:29–52:46)

• NBA Player of the Week
• Stats: 4th in NBA in total drives; Nationally rising on MVP and All-NBA ladders.
  • “Let’s be real, he’s number one in awesomeness. He’s been awesome this year.” — Will (48:31)
  • 13 games of 30+ points; midrange shooting 53%, leading all high-volume players.
• Comparisons:
  • This is “best ever” Jaylen. National media is taking notice, and he’s in the 1st/2nd Team All-NBA conversation—even above Booker/Mitchell this season.
  • “Right now, dude, gun to my head, Jaylen Brown’s on my First Team All-NBA. He’s been that special.” — Greg (51:04)
• Team Construction/Future:
  • When Tatum returns, team will have more versatile combinations than ever; both superstars can now “carry a lineup.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s just more fun rooting for an underdog, dude…. This feels like a Brad Stevens team.” — Greg (08:02)
• “If I just threw those names [Harden, Mitchell, Maxey, Towns, etc.] out to you with no context, that's probably your guess as to what type of conversation you’re having and the versatility of Jordan Walsh defensively…” — Will (13:04)
• “He’s stealing little bits of defensive identity from all these guys he’s been able to look up to…” — Greg (14:15)
• “Missoula Ball… it's advantage basketball and it's winning on the margins.” — Will (24:17)
• “He's a top 15 center in the NBA without question. And the real question is how high can he go?” — Greg (41:15)
• “Let’s be real, he’s number one in awesomeness. He’s been awesome this year.” — Will (48:31)
• “Right now, dude, gun to my head, Jaylen Brown’s on my First Team All-NBA. He’s been that special.” — Greg (51:04)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 06:57 — Season enjoyment vs. last year, underdog energy returns
• 13:04–18:54 — Jordan Walsh’s defensive assignments and statistical leap
• 23:32 — Celtics’ league-leading low turnovers; Missoula Ball philosophy
• 26:57-34:44 — Pacing, FGA, offensive rebounding, and margin-wins
• 38:10–43:41 — Nemius Queta’s ascendance and deadline implications
• 48:29–52:46 — Jaylen Brown’s leap, All-NBA candidacy, midrange mastery

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Will and Greg, in their characteristically loose, banter-filled manner, provide a podcast episode that will energize any Celtics fan. The sense of fun, group chat-like debate, and deep knowledge (as well as chatroom and insider references) make this a must-listen for those excited about Banner 19.

Key Takeaway:
Boston’s rise is no fluke. It’s the result of defensive tenacity (Walsh), roster youthful energy, ingeniously low turnovers, and new star-level surges from Jaylen Brown—wrapped up in a team identity reminiscent of the plucky Brad Stevens era but elevated for the modern NBA. With Tatum’s return on the horizon, the “margin” winning Celtics could just be getting started.