The Under Appreciated Draft + a Playoff Bracket Check In

Green With Envy: The Underappreciated Draft + Playoff Bracket Check-In

March 15, 2026 – Host: Will & Greg Manakis (with special guests/contributions mentioned)

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode of Green With Envy is all about giving some long-overdue flowers: to players, teams, and moments across the NBA that are perpetually underappreciated. Will and Greg also debut their new weekly playoff bracket check-in—breaking down the Celtics’ recent performances, evaluating the evolving Eastern Conference landscape, and projecting Boston’s path to Banner 19.

The episode features an in-depth “Underappreciated Draft,” lively banter around NBA narratives (with a focus on Celtics and league-wide storylines), and a granular look at first-round matchup implications.

CELTICS WEEKLY RECAP

[01:59]

Celtics Road Trip (1–2 Record):
- Loss to Cleveland, San Antonio, and okc (Thunder), win over the Wizards.
- Will: “I feel like it’s a pretty damn good one and two for the Celtics.” [02:19]
- Greg highlights Jaylen Brown’s explosive play vs. San Antonio (before his ejection) and Boston's gutsy showing in OKC without Derrick White and Jason Tatum.

THE BAM ADEBAYO “83-POINT GAME” DEBATE

[03:32–07:54]

Context: Bam Adebayo’s wild 83-point game versus the tanking Wizards has been the story of the league this week.

Blame Pie:
- Will: “If we're doing a blame pie here… it's probably 60, 40, like Wizards versus...maybe even 70, 30, that. I’m leaning more, this is like the Wizards' fault.” [04:15]
- Will points to tanking, constant fouling by the Wizards, lineup absences, and just plain lack of effort.
- He echoes NBA pundits’ skepticism, including Zach Lowe, that the game’s “raw” number isn’t as historically impressive as it seems.
Underappreciated Angle:
- Greg: “Bam overall is one of the most underappreciated players in the league... That’s why I’ve always been a... Bam’s been a favorite of mine.” [06:27]
- Gregg marvels at Bam’s efficiency (“7 for 22 from three means that he had a legitimate shot at 100...”), and his “31 in the first quarter… no shenanigans there.” [07:23]
- Both agree: The rare opportunity for a player, in today’s pace-and-space, to push for 100 points is itself wild and underappreciated.

THE “UNDERAPPRECIATED DRAFT”

[08:57–32:19]

Will and Greg alternate picks, celebrating overlooked players, plays, and teams.

1. Jaylen Brown—Unheralded Teamwork & Playmaking

[09:27 / 11:34 / 15:12]

Greg highlights JB’s “selfless” play as a decoy in the OKC game, helping generate an open game-winning look for Payton Pritchard:
- “That play right there, that is such an underappreciated, selfless play from Jaylen Brown... he decided, I’m going to use the gravity I have to get Peyton Pritchard an open shot.” [10:04]
Will expands on the joy of “making the right cut,” both in NBA and men's-league basketball.
- “I love, like, you know, when you’re watching the game and you just can see how the geometry was shifted by a player making a selfless act.” [11:34]
Brown’s Improved Playmaking:
- Will: “Over the last month... he's averaging 7.2 assists per game... he’s doing so at a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.” [15:12]
- Greg: “13.6 [potential assists]...top 25 in the league in terms of potential assists per game; that speaks to the level of playmaking and the continued unselfishness we’ve seen out of Jaylen Brown this year.” [17:43]
MVP Candidacy / Respect:
- Both note how Brown’s recent MVP poll drop (from 3rd to 7th-8th) is another sign of ongoing underappreciation.

2. Marcus Smart—Resurgence

[19:10 / 21:43 / 24:44]

Greg calls out Smart’s “end-of-game guy” valor for the Lakers:
- “He has at least four steals in three of his last eight games. He has a positive plus minus in all those games...continues to shoot with irrational confidence...” [19:30]
- Greg’s Memorable Moment: Smart’s crunch-time defense—stripping Aaron Gordon, scoring the transition layup.
- “Marcus Smart, the defensive instincts are just through the roof.” [21:11]
Will: “Getting to see Marcus back in that form was really fun...making winning plays was...awesome.” [21:43]
Both praise Smart’s growing willingness to defer, his fit as an older role player, and how trading him may have “depressed” him—but now he's back in playoff shape and making a huge difference.

3. Ron Harper, Jr. & Celtics’ Wing Depth

[27:05 / 31:35]

Will: “Back to the Celtics...I’m going to our two-way guy, Ron Harper, Jr. ...he went 6-of-9 from three [vs. San Antonio], and there was at least two to three of those threes where I’m convinced he couldn’t see the basket...Wemby just blocked out everything.” [27:05]
Harper Jr.'s knack for “real impacts against real opponents” (Spurs, Thunder) makes Boston’s wing power rankings “ridiculous—their fourth guy on the list is making starts, outperforming expectations.”
Greg highlights Harper’s “defensive instincts and his defensive measurables...stock that he comes from,” and hints at even more playmaking upside. [31:35]

4. Orlando Magic—Legit Playoff Threat

[33:41 / 35:41]

Greg: “I’ve just been really impressed tuning into Magic games here and there, seeing them with the lack of depth that they really have...” [33:41]
The Magic “are actually closer to home court than we are to the first seed.” Despite a poor start, they’ve surged to the 5-seat, spurred by Desmond Bane’s acquisition and Paolo Banchero’s leap. Greg, “Whoever faces them in the first round is in for one hell of a fight.” [35:41]
Will: “I really thought the Bane move for them was fantastic...I put a lot of stock in that five-game series last year where they were pretty banged up...they mucked it up.” [35:41]

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF CHECK-IN

[32:26–55:00]

[Key timestamp: 32:26—Playoff Bracket Segment Begins]

East’s Improving Depth:
- The bottom four seeds' records are all >.500: “The Eastern Conference depth… is looking a lot different… pretty shocked at some of these records.” [32:29]
- Play-in teams: Heat, Hawks, 76ers, Raptors.
If You’re Boston, Who Do You Want in the First Round?
- Greg: “I don’t want to see the Sixers… they’re going to be the healthiest they are [early] in the playoffs.” [40:13]
- Will: “Hawks would be my number one team that I’d want to play... I just don’t see how they… get by us.” [41:07]
- Consensus order of opponents, from most to least desirable: Hawks > Raptors > Heat > 76ers.
Celtics–Knicks Rematch Looms:
- Will: “Looks like we are steamrolling for another semifinals that goes Garden to Garden, TD to Madison...”
- Greg is wary of the Knicks’ physicality and energy; Knicks may be the Celtics’ toughest out in the East, especially with a healthy Brunson and deep roster.
Matchup Shifts:
- This year’s Celtics have more “Josh Hart”–type energy guys: “Baylor Shireman and Ugo kind of possess, for where they’re at in their careers, a lot of Josh Hart qualities.” [47:22]
- Greg: “Would be fun in a seven-game series if we matched Josh Hart minutes with Ugo minutes… one of you wins this series, let’s see who wins.” [47:31]
Projecting Cavs/Pistons/Magic Side:
- Greg’s confidence order: Cavs > Pistons > Magic, but admits he needs more “recent” viewing to make a definitive pick. [51:09]
- Will: “I just don’t believe in the Cavs. ... When you get below those top four guys... it’s just not that impressive.”
- Cade Cunningham as possible true franchise changer, but the jury’s still out until playoff excellence is demonstrated.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS & NOTABLE QUOTES

On Marcus Smart’s Resurgence:

“Marcus Smart… the defensive instincts are just through the roof.” – Greg Manakis [21:11]
On Jalen Brown’s Growth:

“That play was such an underappreciated, selfless play…he decided to use the gravity I have to get Payton Pritchard an open shot.” – Greg Manakis [10:04]
On Bam’s Stat-Line:

“He had a legitimate shot at 100… you hit a couple more of those threes, and all of a sudden he’s at 95...” – Greg Manakis [06:27]
On the evolving East:

“The Eastern Conference depth… is looking a lot different… pretty shocked at some of these records.” – Will [32:29]
On Ron Harper Jr.:

“...I’m convinced Wemby just blocked out everything…I don’t understand how he even got them off.” – Will [27:05]

FINAL THOUGHTS

Celtics remain in strong position, but the East is deeper and more dangerous than it appeared at midseason—first-round matchups could be tough across the board.
Orlando has moved from dark horse to real threat.
Jaylen Brown’s season—especially playmaking—continues to fly under the radar, as does Marcus Smart’s late-career impact.
New Celtics “energy guys” could be a sneaky X-factor in a Knicks rematch.

Next episode: The bracket check-in will return as playoff races heat up and the Celtics draw closer to their postseason destiny.

QUICK STATS & RESOURCES

[15:12] Jaylen Brown last 11 games: 7.2 AST, 3.5 TOV, 2-to-1 ratio
[17:43] JB 13.6 potential assists/game (top 25 NBA)
[32:29] East’s 7–10 seeds all >.500: Heat 38–30, Hawks/Sixers 36–31, Hornets 34–34
[35:41] Magic: 8–2 last 10, surging for home-court
[51:09] Greg’s playoff confidence: Cavs > Pistons > Magic

For more: Subscribe on YouTube, check the latest short videos from the Green With Envy team, and follow for live playoff bracket updates each week!

Green With Envy: The Underappreciated Draft + Playoff Bracket Check-In

March 15, 2026 – Host: Will & Greg Manakis (with special guests/contributions mentioned)

EPISODE OVERVIEW

CELTICS WEEKLY RECAP

[01:59]

Celtics Road Trip (1–2 Record):
- Loss to Cleveland, San Antonio, and okc (Thunder), win over the Wizards.
- Will: “I feel like it’s a pretty damn good one and two for the Celtics.” [02:19]
- Greg highlights Jaylen Brown’s explosive play vs. San Antonio (before his ejection) and Boston's gutsy showing in OKC without Derrick White and Jason Tatum.

THE BAM ADEBAYO “83-POINT GAME” DEBATE

[03:32–07:54]

Context: Bam Adebayo’s wild 83-point game versus the tanking Wizards has been the story of the league this week.

Blame Pie:
- Will: “If we're doing a blame pie here… it's probably 60, 40, like Wizards versus...maybe even 70, 30, that. I’m leaning more, this is like the Wizards' fault.” [04:15]
- Will points to tanking, constant fouling by the Wizards, lineup absences, and just plain lack of effort.
- He echoes NBA pundits’ skepticism, including Zach Lowe, that the game’s “raw” number isn’t as historically impressive as it seems.
Underappreciated Angle:
- Greg: “Bam overall is one of the most underappreciated players in the league... That’s why I’ve always been a... Bam’s been a favorite of mine.” [06:27]
- Gregg marvels at Bam’s efficiency (“7 for 22 from three means that he had a legitimate shot at 100...”), and his “31 in the first quarter… no shenanigans there.” [07:23]
- Both agree: The rare opportunity for a player, in today’s pace-and-space, to push for 100 points is itself wild and underappreciated.

THE “UNDERAPPRECIATED DRAFT”

[08:57–32:19]

Will and Greg alternate picks, celebrating overlooked players, plays, and teams.

1. Jaylen Brown—Unheralded Teamwork & Playmaking

[09:27 / 11:34 / 15:12]

Greg highlights JB’s “selfless” play as a decoy in the OKC game, helping generate an open game-winning look for Payton Pritchard:
- “That play right there, that is such an underappreciated, selfless play from Jaylen Brown... he decided, I’m going to use the gravity I have to get Peyton Pritchard an open shot.” [10:04]
Will expands on the joy of “making the right cut,” both in NBA and men's-league basketball.
- “I love, like, you know, when you’re watching the game and you just can see how the geometry was shifted by a player making a selfless act.” [11:34]
Brown’s Improved Playmaking:
- Will: “Over the last month... he's averaging 7.2 assists per game... he’s doing so at a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.” [15:12]
- Greg: “13.6 [potential assists]...top 25 in the league in terms of potential assists per game; that speaks to the level of playmaking and the continued unselfishness we’ve seen out of Jaylen Brown this year.” [17:43]
MVP Candidacy / Respect:
- Both note how Brown’s recent MVP poll drop (from 3rd to 7th-8th) is another sign of ongoing underappreciation.

2. Marcus Smart—Resurgence

[19:10 / 21:43 / 24:44]

Greg calls out Smart’s “end-of-game guy” valor for the Lakers:
- “He has at least four steals in three of his last eight games. He has a positive plus minus in all those games...continues to shoot with irrational confidence...” [19:30]
- Greg’s Memorable Moment: Smart’s crunch-time defense—stripping Aaron Gordon, scoring the transition layup.
- “Marcus Smart, the defensive instincts are just through the roof.” [21:11]
Will: “Getting to see Marcus back in that form was really fun...making winning plays was...awesome.” [21:43]
Both praise Smart’s growing willingness to defer, his fit as an older role player, and how trading him may have “depressed” him—but now he's back in playoff shape and making a huge difference.

3. Ron Harper, Jr. & Celtics’ Wing Depth

[27:05 / 31:35]

Will: “Back to the Celtics...I’m going to our two-way guy, Ron Harper, Jr. ...he went 6-of-9 from three [vs. San Antonio], and there was at least two to three of those threes where I’m convinced he couldn’t see the basket...Wemby just blocked out everything.” [27:05]
Harper Jr.'s knack for “real impacts against real opponents” (Spurs, Thunder) makes Boston’s wing power rankings “ridiculous—their fourth guy on the list is making starts, outperforming expectations.”
Greg highlights Harper’s “defensive instincts and his defensive measurables...stock that he comes from,” and hints at even more playmaking upside. [31:35]

4. Orlando Magic—Legit Playoff Threat

[33:41 / 35:41]

Greg: “I’ve just been really impressed tuning into Magic games here and there, seeing them with the lack of depth that they really have...” [33:41]
The Magic “are actually closer to home court than we are to the first seed.” Despite a poor start, they’ve surged to the 5-seat, spurred by Desmond Bane’s acquisition and Paolo Banchero’s leap. Greg, “Whoever faces them in the first round is in for one hell of a fight.” [35:41]
Will: “I really thought the Bane move for them was fantastic...I put a lot of stock in that five-game series last year where they were pretty banged up...they mucked it up.” [35:41]

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF CHECK-IN

[32:26–55:00]

[Key timestamp: 32:26—Playoff Bracket Segment Begins]

East’s Improving Depth:
- The bottom four seeds' records are all >.500: “The Eastern Conference depth… is looking a lot different… pretty shocked at some of these records.” [32:29]
- Play-in teams: Heat, Hawks, 76ers, Raptors.
If You’re Boston, Who Do You Want in the First Round?
- Greg: “I don’t want to see the Sixers… they’re going to be the healthiest they are [early] in the playoffs.” [40:13]
- Will: “Hawks would be my number one team that I’d want to play... I just don’t see how they… get by us.” [41:07]
- Consensus order of opponents, from most to least desirable: Hawks > Raptors > Heat > 76ers.
Celtics–Knicks Rematch Looms:
- Will: “Looks like we are steamrolling for another semifinals that goes Garden to Garden, TD to Madison...”
- Greg is wary of the Knicks’ physicality and energy; Knicks may be the Celtics’ toughest out in the East, especially with a healthy Brunson and deep roster.
Matchup Shifts:
- This year’s Celtics have more “Josh Hart”–type energy guys: “Baylor Shireman and Ugo kind of possess, for where they’re at in their careers, a lot of Josh Hart qualities.” [47:22]
- Greg: “Would be fun in a seven-game series if we matched Josh Hart minutes with Ugo minutes… one of you wins this series, let’s see who wins.” [47:31]
Projecting Cavs/Pistons/Magic Side:
- Greg’s confidence order: Cavs > Pistons > Magic, but admits he needs more “recent” viewing to make a definitive pick. [51:09]
- Will: “I just don’t believe in the Cavs. ... When you get below those top four guys... it’s just not that impressive.”
- Cade Cunningham as possible true franchise changer, but the jury’s still out until playoff excellence is demonstrated.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS & NOTABLE QUOTES

On Marcus Smart’s Resurgence:

“Marcus Smart… the defensive instincts are just through the roof.” – Greg Manakis [21:11]
On Jalen Brown’s Growth:

“That play was such an underappreciated, selfless play…he decided to use the gravity I have to get Payton Pritchard an open shot.” – Greg Manakis [10:04]
On Bam’s Stat-Line:

“He had a legitimate shot at 100… you hit a couple more of those threes, and all of a sudden he’s at 95...” – Greg Manakis [06:27]
On the evolving East:

“The Eastern Conference depth… is looking a lot different… pretty shocked at some of these records.” – Will [32:29]
On Ron Harper Jr.:

“...I’m convinced Wemby just blocked out everything…I don’t understand how he even got them off.” – Will [27:05]

FINAL THOUGHTS

Celtics remain in strong position, but the East is deeper and more dangerous than it appeared at midseason—first-round matchups could be tough across the board.
Orlando has moved from dark horse to real threat.
Jaylen Brown’s season—especially playmaking—continues to fly under the radar, as does Marcus Smart’s late-career impact.
New Celtics “energy guys” could be a sneaky X-factor in a Knicks rematch.

Next episode: The bracket check-in will return as playoff races heat up and the Celtics draw closer to their postseason destiny.

QUICK STATS & RESOURCES

[15:12] Jaylen Brown last 11 games: 7.2 AST, 3.5 TOV, 2-to-1 ratio
[17:43] JB 13.6 potential assists/game (top 25 NBA)
[32:29] East’s 7–10 seeds all >.500: Heat 38–30, Hawks/Sixers 36–31, Hornets 34–34
[35:41] Magic: 8–2 last 10, surging for home-court
[51:09] Greg’s playoff confidence: Cavs > Pistons > Magic

For more: Subscribe on YouTube, check the latest short videos from the Green With Envy team, and follow for live playoff bracket updates each week!

wavePod

Summary

Green With Envy: The Underappreciated Draft + Playoff Bracket Check-In

EPISODE OVERVIEW

CELTICS WEEKLY RECAP

[01:59]

THE BAM ADEBAYO “83-POINT GAME” DEBATE

[03:32–07:54]

THE “UNDERAPPRECIATED DRAFT”

[08:57–32:19]

1. Jaylen Brown—Unheralded Teamwork & Playmaking

2. Marcus Smart—Resurgence

3. Ron Harper, Jr. & Celtics’ Wing Depth

4. Orlando Magic—Legit Playoff Threat

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF CHECK-IN

[32:26–55:00]

MEMORABLE MOMENTS & NOTABLE QUOTES

FINAL THOUGHTS

QUICK STATS & RESOURCES

Summary

Green With Envy: The Underappreciated Draft + Playoff Bracket Check-In

EPISODE OVERVIEW

CELTICS WEEKLY RECAP

[01:59]

THE BAM ADEBAYO “83-POINT GAME” DEBATE

[03:32–07:54]

THE “UNDERAPPRECIATED DRAFT”

[08:57–32:19]

1. Jaylen Brown—Unheralded Teamwork & Playmaking

2. Marcus Smart—Resurgence

3. Ron Harper, Jr. & Celtics’ Wing Depth

4. Orlando Magic—Legit Playoff Threat

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF CHECK-IN

[32:26–55:00]

MEMORABLE MOMENTS & NOTABLE QUOTES

FINAL THOUGHTS

QUICK STATS & RESOURCES