Green With Envy: "Something or Nothing: Are the Celtics Actually a Top 10 Team in the NBA?"

Podcast: Green With Envy: A Boston Celtics Podcast (Blue Wire)
Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: Will and Greg
Guests Referenced: None featured, but guest names mentioned in intro
Episode Theme:
Will and Greg play “Something or Nothing”, using this early season to sift through surprising stats and trends, and debate whether they matter for the Celtics’ search for Banner 19. Along the way, they dig into the team’s identity, player confidence, emerging talents (especially Jordan Walsh), and take a look around the league with some spicy Thunder/Wemby talk.

Episode Overview

The episode revolves around the hosts’ new segment “Something or Nothing,” in which they pick out notable stats, narrative trends, and moments from both the Celtics and the wider NBA, debating whether each point is a significant development (“something”) or simply early-season noise (“nothing”). The show moves between big-picture analysis and playful banter, providing substantial Celtics content with comparisons across the league.

1. Show Opener & Chemistry Check

[02:02] Greg’s Anxieties About High School Reputation
- The hosts begin with a humorous aside, clearing up some friendly anxiety about how Greg is perceived (“the man” in high school or not) after a mutual friend joked about it.
- They use this as a light-hearted lead-in to the episode’s theme: figuring out which stories and worries are “something” and which are “nothing.”
- Notable Quote:
  - “So in the spirit of our episode today, I’d say ultimately that was nothing. It was something in your head. And ultimately, it’s a nothing.” — Will [06:38]

2. Explaining the "Something or Nothing" Premise

[07:58]
- With three days off in the Celtics schedule and a string of recent blowouts, the hosts create a more evergreen episode format, promising “stats and statements” that they’ll debate.

3. Key Celtics Discussion Points

A. Jordan Walsh as the New Avery Bradley?

[09:23–12:16] "Jordan Walsh is the new Avery Bradley: Something or Nothing?"
- Will presents eye-popping defensive stats from Walsh over the last three games:
  - Locked up high-profile assignments (Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Maxey, Jaren Jackson Jr.)
- Greg compares him to Iggy (Andre Iguodala), then warms to the Avery Bradley comp.
- They discuss the internal competition between Walsh, Ugo Gonzalez, and Josh Minot – a motivating factor for the young wings.
- Both agree this is “something” — Walsh’s all-around defense at multiple positions is not a mirage.
- Notable Quote:
  - “Jordan Walsh is the new Avery Bradley... Like, a 6’6 Avery Bradley is one hell of a player, man… He just looks great, man.” — Greg [10:01]
  - “For him to jump out to somebody just tuning into the end of a game kind of randomly... that also tells me something.” — Will [14:17]

B. Peyton Pritchard’s Haircut and Confidence

[15:39–18:23] "Is Peyton Pritchard's confidence tied to his high bald fade?"
- Greg jokes about player aesthetics (“better in black shoes”) and proposes Pritchard’s haircut has restored his on-court confidence.
- Will agrees — the connection between hair and swagger is “something,” as the change coincided with better on-court performance and quicker offensive reads.
- Discusses Celtics’ need for Pritchard/Derrick White to hit shots amid offensive woes.
- Notable Quote:
  - “If that’s what it takes for Peyton Pritchard, buzz cut it up, my guy, because I do think he looked way more confident in the last game.” — Will [17:45]

C. Celtics Top 10 in Both Offense & Defense—Deceiving?

[22:56–27:44] "Celtics are top 10 in offense, defense, and net rating: Something or Nothing?"
- The Celtics, at 6–7, are surprisingly 9th ORTG, 8th DRTG, 8th Net Rating.
- Greg says it’s “something” but mainly due to schedule quirks and several blowout wins (inflates net rating), not because the team is actually elite.
- Will calls it “nothing”—predicts the offense won’t sustain, too much is riding on streaky shooters and young wings.
- Notable Quote:
  - “I don’t think they’re a top 4 seed…There are elements…they might just be a Jayson Tatum away. And that’s what we have waiting in the wings.” — Greg [24:12]
  - “I think this offensive rating is going to be really hard to maintain…Little bit of early season luck, if you will.” — Will [26:37]

D. Margin of Victory & Clutch Struggles

[27:44]
- Celtics’ average win margin: 18.6 points; 4 wins by 20+.
- But they have a poor clutch record (2–5 in close games).
- Suggests their strong net rating is skewed by a few blowouts.

E. Jalen Brown’s Rebounding Dip

[39:01] "Is JB's drop in rebounding something or nothing?"
- Jalen Brown averaging 5.1 rebounds/game, his worst since 2018–19.
- Greg says “nothing”—JB’s defensive assignment keeps him away from rebounds; doesn’t blame him given his offensive load.
- Will says “a little something”—given rebounding is a team weakness and JB has the tools to help more.
- Notable Quote:
  - “I think it’s always good to challenge your best player to do a little bit more…He would take it personally and he would go do it.” — Greg [41:38]

F. Luka Garza’s Work Ethic

[42:07]
- Garza allegedly shot 12,000 more practice shots than any other NBA player last season.
- Will argues Garza’s motor/effort is something—it’s won him a rotation spot.
- Greg makes the point that not being able to jump (and focusing on positioning) actually helps Garza’s rebounding fundamentals.

4. NBA-Wide "Something or Nothing" Segments

A. Thunder’s Historic Start

[28:05–31:04]
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 12–1, league-best defense, loaded at every position, thriving without their second-best player (Jalen Williams).
- Both hosts: Absolutely “something.” The Thunder are terrifying, on pace for back-to-back titles, and “everyone else is playing for second.”
- Notable Quotes:
  - “The only two answers might be Jokic and Wemby…might be the only two ways…” — Will [31:14]

B. Wemby: Already Top 3 in the NBA?

[31:33–35:43]
- Will asks if Victor Wembanyama is top-3 in the league already.
- Greg: Not yet. Jokic, SGA, Giannis clearly top 3, but Wemby already top 4–5.
- Will: Agrees, cites Wemby’s unbelievable defense; possibly 4th now, ahead of Luka, with Tatum injured.
- Notable Quote:
  - “Wemby wants revenge on Steph until Steph retires…It’s always going to be trying to get it back.” — Greg [35:16]

C. Hannah Hidalgo’s 16-Steal Game

[35:43–37:51]
- Greg brings some women's college hoops: Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo had 44 points, 16 steals.
- Hosts dumbfounded by 16 steals; call it “nothing” for NBA relevance, “something” for sheer absurdity.

5. Other Notable Quotes & Moments

On the three young wing competition:
“Week in and week out, we’ll have to give you an update as to who’s stealing the show.” — Will [15:32]
On Pritchard’s jump shot:
“...his three-pointer, which leans more set shot than jump shot, was like a true 1960s set shot...” — Greg [18:23]
On Thunder’s depth:
“It’s literally like the Thunderstruck movie with Kevin Durant. You just turn good.” — Will [30:18]

6. Timestamps – Notable Segments

[02:02] Show open, “the man” in high school & friendship banter
[07:58] Why the “something or nothing” format, Celtics schedule context
[09:23] Jordan Walsh defensive stats & Avery Bradley comp
[15:39] Peyton Pritchard’s haircut, confidence, and aesthetics
[22:56] Celtics’ surprising net ratings/stat profile
[27:44] Celtics’ margin of victory/clutch record
[28:05] NBA-wide: Thunder’s dominance; league-wide threat assessment
[31:33] Wemby’s league standing
[35:43] Hannah Hidalgo’s 16-steal performance
[39:01] Jalen Brown’s rebounding dip—something or nothing?
[42:07] Luka Garza’s work ethic gets rewarded

7. Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains the show’s signature blend of playful friendship, self-deprecating humor, and deep Celtics/NBA nerdery. The “something or nothing” format is used both for genuine analysis and for running jokes (e.g., Pritchard’s haircut). The hosts speak as knowledgeable Celtics fans with keen appreciation for team-building, development arcs, and the unpredictability of a young roster.

8. Conclusion

Hosts wrap up by emphasizing the volatility of a young, experimenting Celtics team.
They preview upcoming Celtics games and potential for moves should the team hang around .500 and Tatum return.
Signoff: Next episode coming Monday morning after the weekend break.

IF YOU MISSED IT:

This episode is a must-listen for fans eager to decipher which early-season Celtics trends matter — and which are just noise. Jordan Walsh’s emergence, Pritchard’s renewed spark, and the three-wing competition get the spotlight, but there is also a strong pulse check on where the Celtics fit in the evolving NBA landscape, including the Thunder’s looming dominance and Wemby’s superstardom.

Green With Envy: "Something or Nothing: Are the Celtics Actually a Top 10 Team in the NBA?"

Episode Overview

1. Show Opener & Chemistry Check

[02:02] Greg’s Anxieties About High School Reputation
- The hosts begin with a humorous aside, clearing up some friendly anxiety about how Greg is perceived (“the man” in high school or not) after a mutual friend joked about it.
- They use this as a light-hearted lead-in to the episode’s theme: figuring out which stories and worries are “something” and which are “nothing.”
- Notable Quote:
  - “So in the spirit of our episode today, I’d say ultimately that was nothing. It was something in your head. And ultimately, it’s a nothing.” — Will [06:38]

2. Explaining the "Something or Nothing" Premise

[07:58]
- With three days off in the Celtics schedule and a string of recent blowouts, the hosts create a more evergreen episode format, promising “stats and statements” that they’ll debate.

3. Key Celtics Discussion Points

A. Jordan Walsh as the New Avery Bradley?

[09:23–12:16] "Jordan Walsh is the new Avery Bradley: Something or Nothing?"
- Will presents eye-popping defensive stats from Walsh over the last three games:
  - Locked up high-profile assignments (Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Maxey, Jaren Jackson Jr.)
- Greg compares him to Iggy (Andre Iguodala), then warms to the Avery Bradley comp.
- They discuss the internal competition between Walsh, Ugo Gonzalez, and Josh Minot – a motivating factor for the young wings.
- Both agree this is “something” — Walsh’s all-around defense at multiple positions is not a mirage.
- Notable Quote:
  - “Jordan Walsh is the new Avery Bradley... Like, a 6’6 Avery Bradley is one hell of a player, man… He just looks great, man.” — Greg [10:01]
  - “For him to jump out to somebody just tuning into the end of a game kind of randomly... that also tells me something.” — Will [14:17]

B. Peyton Pritchard’s Haircut and Confidence

[15:39–18:23] "Is Peyton Pritchard's confidence tied to his high bald fade?"
- Greg jokes about player aesthetics (“better in black shoes”) and proposes Pritchard’s haircut has restored his on-court confidence.
- Will agrees — the connection between hair and swagger is “something,” as the change coincided with better on-court performance and quicker offensive reads.
- Discusses Celtics’ need for Pritchard/Derrick White to hit shots amid offensive woes.
- Notable Quote:
  - “If that’s what it takes for Peyton Pritchard, buzz cut it up, my guy, because I do think he looked way more confident in the last game.” — Will [17:45]

C. Celtics Top 10 in Both Offense & Defense—Deceiving?

[22:56–27:44] "Celtics are top 10 in offense, defense, and net rating: Something or Nothing?"
- The Celtics, at 6–7, are surprisingly 9th ORTG, 8th DRTG, 8th Net Rating.
- Greg says it’s “something” but mainly due to schedule quirks and several blowout wins (inflates net rating), not because the team is actually elite.
- Will calls it “nothing”—predicts the offense won’t sustain, too much is riding on streaky shooters and young wings.
- Notable Quote:
  - “I don’t think they’re a top 4 seed…There are elements…they might just be a Jayson Tatum away. And that’s what we have waiting in the wings.” — Greg [24:12]
  - “I think this offensive rating is going to be really hard to maintain…Little bit of early season luck, if you will.” — Will [26:37]

D. Margin of Victory & Clutch Struggles

[27:44]
- Celtics’ average win margin: 18.6 points; 4 wins by 20+.
- But they have a poor clutch record (2–5 in close games).
- Suggests their strong net rating is skewed by a few blowouts.

E. Jalen Brown’s Rebounding Dip

[39:01] "Is JB's drop in rebounding something or nothing?"
- Jalen Brown averaging 5.1 rebounds/game, his worst since 2018–19.
- Greg says “nothing”—JB’s defensive assignment keeps him away from rebounds; doesn’t blame him given his offensive load.
- Will says “a little something”—given rebounding is a team weakness and JB has the tools to help more.
- Notable Quote:
  - “I think it’s always good to challenge your best player to do a little bit more…He would take it personally and he would go do it.” — Greg [41:38]

F. Luka Garza’s Work Ethic

[42:07]
- Garza allegedly shot 12,000 more practice shots than any other NBA player last season.
- Will argues Garza’s motor/effort is something—it’s won him a rotation spot.
- Greg makes the point that not being able to jump (and focusing on positioning) actually helps Garza’s rebounding fundamentals.

4. NBA-Wide "Something or Nothing" Segments

A. Thunder’s Historic Start

[28:05–31:04]
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 12–1, league-best defense, loaded at every position, thriving without their second-best player (Jalen Williams).
- Both hosts: Absolutely “something.” The Thunder are terrifying, on pace for back-to-back titles, and “everyone else is playing for second.”
- Notable Quotes:
  - “The only two answers might be Jokic and Wemby…might be the only two ways…” — Will [31:14]

B. Wemby: Already Top 3 in the NBA?

[31:33–35:43]
- Will asks if Victor Wembanyama is top-3 in the league already.
- Greg: Not yet. Jokic, SGA, Giannis clearly top 3, but Wemby already top 4–5.
- Will: Agrees, cites Wemby’s unbelievable defense; possibly 4th now, ahead of Luka, with Tatum injured.
- Notable Quote:
  - “Wemby wants revenge on Steph until Steph retires…It’s always going to be trying to get it back.” — Greg [35:16]

C. Hannah Hidalgo’s 16-Steal Game

[35:43–37:51]
- Greg brings some women's college hoops: Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo had 44 points, 16 steals.
- Hosts dumbfounded by 16 steals; call it “nothing” for NBA relevance, “something” for sheer absurdity.

5. Other Notable Quotes & Moments

On the three young wing competition:
“Week in and week out, we’ll have to give you an update as to who’s stealing the show.” — Will [15:32]
On Pritchard’s jump shot:
“...his three-pointer, which leans more set shot than jump shot, was like a true 1960s set shot...” — Greg [18:23]
On Thunder’s depth:
“It’s literally like the Thunderstruck movie with Kevin Durant. You just turn good.” — Will [30:18]

6. Timestamps – Notable Segments

[02:02] Show open, “the man” in high school & friendship banter
[07:58] Why the “something or nothing” format, Celtics schedule context
[09:23] Jordan Walsh defensive stats & Avery Bradley comp
[15:39] Peyton Pritchard’s haircut, confidence, and aesthetics
[22:56] Celtics’ surprising net ratings/stat profile
[27:44] Celtics’ margin of victory/clutch record
[28:05] NBA-wide: Thunder’s dominance; league-wide threat assessment
[31:33] Wemby’s league standing
[35:43] Hannah Hidalgo’s 16-steal performance
[39:01] Jalen Brown’s rebounding dip—something or nothing?
[42:07] Luka Garza’s work ethic gets rewarded

7. Episode Tone & Style

8. Conclusion

Hosts wrap up by emphasizing the volatility of a young, experimenting Celtics team.
They preview upcoming Celtics games and potential for moves should the team hang around .500 and Tatum return.
Signoff: Next episode coming Monday morning after the weekend break.

IF YOU MISSED IT:

This episode is a must-listen for fans eager to decipher which early-season Celtics trends matter — and which are just noise. Jordan Walsh’s emergence, Pritchard’s renewed spark, and the three-wing competition get the spotlight, but there is also a strong pulse check on where the Celtics fit in the evolving NBA landscape, including the Thunder’s looming dominance and Wemby’s superstardom.

Something or Nothing: Are the Celtics Actually a Top 10 Team in the NBA?

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Summary

Green With Envy: "Something or Nothing: Are the Celtics Actually a Top 10 Team in the NBA?"

Episode Overview

1. Show Opener & Chemistry Check

2. Explaining the "Something or Nothing" Premise

3. Key Celtics Discussion Points

A. Jordan Walsh as the New Avery Bradley?

B. Peyton Pritchard’s Haircut and Confidence

C. Celtics Top 10 in Both Offense & Defense—Deceiving?

D. Margin of Victory & Clutch Struggles

E. Jalen Brown’s Rebounding Dip

F. Luka Garza’s Work Ethic

4. NBA-Wide "Something or Nothing" Segments

A. Thunder’s Historic Start

B. Wemby: Already Top 3 in the NBA?

C. Hannah Hidalgo’s 16-Steal Game

5. Other Notable Quotes & Moments

6. Timestamps – Notable Segments

7. Episode Tone & Style

8. Conclusion

IF YOU MISSED IT:

Summary

Green With Envy: "Something or Nothing: Are the Celtics Actually a Top 10 Team in the NBA?"

Episode Overview

1. Show Opener & Chemistry Check

2. Explaining the "Something or Nothing" Premise

3. Key Celtics Discussion Points

A. Jordan Walsh as the New Avery Bradley?

B. Peyton Pritchard’s Haircut and Confidence

C. Celtics Top 10 in Both Offense & Defense—Deceiving?

D. Margin of Victory & Clutch Struggles

E. Jalen Brown’s Rebounding Dip

F. Luka Garza’s Work Ethic

4. NBA-Wide "Something or Nothing" Segments

A. Thunder’s Historic Start

B. Wemby: Already Top 3 in the NBA?

C. Hannah Hidalgo’s 16-Steal Game

5. Other Notable Quotes & Moments

6. Timestamps – Notable Segments

7. Episode Tone & Style

8. Conclusion

IF YOU MISSED IT: