Green With Envy: A Boston Celtics Podcast

Episode: Trae Young Traded to Washington, The Celtics Fall Back To Earth, Derrick White's All-Star Case, and A Review of "Pluribus"
Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Will and Greg Manakis
Notable Guests: None on this episode, but shoutouts to previous guests like Mike Gorman, Drew Carter, Amina Smith, Dana Barros

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a tumultuous night for Celtics fans. Will and Greg break down Boston’s frustrating home loss to a depleted Denver Nuggets, unpack breaking trade news with Trae Young headed to the Wizards, debate Derrick White’s All-Star candidacy, and finish with an in-depth, spoiler-filled chat on the TV show "Pluribus." The conversation is candid, passionate, and peppered with moments of basketball humor and life tangents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Social Media Backlash & Kobe Fandom

[02:43-06:23]

• Will checks in on Greg after the infamous “Jalen is Kobe-esque” clip brought out the intense online Kobe Bryant fandom, with Greg defending himself in the comments.
• Will observes:

  “Kobe takes the cake as far as how adamant and passionate those specific Kobe stands are. ... That’s the real truth, I’m with you on that.” [05:04]

• Greg clarifies he truly respects Kobe but simply sees Jalen as deserving of comparison after his 50-point game.
• Both agree that some NBA fandoms rival Taylor Swift/Beyoncé levels of intensity.
• Greg:

  “I really think Kobe's a top 12 to 15 guy all time, which is an amazing place to be... But even just, like, why I was never really that scared of Kobe, like, anytime we played the Lakers, I really wasn’t, like, worried about Kobe, if that’s crazy to say.” [06:23]

2. TRADE NEWS: Trae Young to Wizards

[07:20-09:59]

• The hosts react live to Shams Charania’s breaking news:
  Trae Young traded to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
• Will’s take:

  “It’s a free shot at Trae Young... Really good for [the Wizards] to lift them up to play in more competitive games. ... If they don’t give Trae Young a big extension, then I like it. But if they do, then it’s a bad trade, even if they gave up nothing.” [07:55-08:30]

• Greg notes this is an uncommonly low return for Atlanta and wonders if the Wizards will try to pair Young with another star or just let the young core develop.
• Both agree that as long as it’s short-term, it’s a fun swing for Washington.

3. Celtics vs. Nuggets: Game Recap

[11:05-26:56]

Key Themes:

• Nuggets win 114-110 without Jokic; Celtics looked out of sorts, especially on offense.
• Jalen Brown scored 33 but had 29 shots and 7 turnovers. Greg calls this his “worst game of the season,” citing ball-stopping and poor adjustment to Denver’s physical, switch-heavy defense.
  • Greg:

    “Jalen just played with blinders on pretty much the entire game… Despite having the stat of 33.7 rebounds, 4 assists, it just wasn’t the MVP level JB that we’ve seen.” [11:58]

• Nuggets’ support cast shined, notably Peyton Watson (30 points, 6 rebounds).
• Celtics offense struggled with paint touches and ball movement; Denver’s physicality and defense kept the Celtics at bay.
• Notably missing: Jason Tatum's ability to relieve pressure and draw defensive attention.
  • Greg:

    “This is a game where you really felt the impact of Jason Tatum not being on the court.” [27:12]

Nēmiēs Kaida’s Breakout

[16:43-22:39]

• Kaida: 6 points, 20 rebounds (10 offensive), high motor, game-changing energy.
• Will:

  “Had some really impressive rebounds where I didn’t even think he had a chance… I thought his use was really strange tonight in that fourth quarter.” [16:43]

• Debate over Missoula’s late-game substitution (pulling Kaida in a tie game):
  • Will and Greg both argue Kaida should have closed the game.
    • Greg:

      “It was crazy to see Joe Missoula decide to take him out. ... I think you gotta put Kaida back in that game. I don’t know the moment it gets to 99-90.” [18:34]

    • Will:

      “We didn’t get a stop for three minutes straight as soon as Kaida left. ... That was a really weird moment for me for Joe. I just didn’t agree with that move.” [20:11]

Other Rotation Decisions

• Why wasn’t Ugo (Simons) finishing the game with his energy?
• Pritchard’s defensive struggles exposed, especially against Jamal Murray.
• The hosts critique Missoula’s late-game adjustments but overall credit his season coaching.
  • Greg:

    “This is an exception to what we’ve seen out of Joe this season. He’s done a really good job...” [23:56]

4. Celtics Trade Deadline Needs (Post-Tatum Injury)

[28:13-33:07]

• Will: Celtics expected to be buyers; trade restriction cap details.
• Greg: “Has to be front court depth, the Daniel Gaffords, Day’Ron Sharps of the world... If Tatum doesn't come back, don't upgrade—if he does, go all in.” [29:41]
• Debate about whether Anthony Simons (who has improved) is still a trade chip for a big like Zubac or Gafford vs. hanging on for his shot creation.
  • Will:

    “Has the way Anthony Simons has been playing changed your mind about him being the trade piece?” [30:50]

  • Greg:

    “I don't want to trade him right now, honestly... It's just nice to have someone that can hit contested, tough shots.” [31:38]

5. Derrick White’s All-Star Case

[33:07-42:46]

• Both hosts make a strong case for Derrick White:
  • Ranked 9th in the NBA in blocks “which is insane for a guard.”
  • Averaging 18.4 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 “stocks” (steals and blocks).
  • Elite defense and does “all the winning plays.”
  • The new All-Star format (16 Americans, 8 Internationals; positionless) opens new avenues for selection.
  • Will:

    “I think right now I'm leaning towards... I think he gets in.” [40:58]

• They compare All-Star resumes of fringe East guards and wings: Norm Powell, Michael Porter Jr., Pistons, Raptors, Magic players.
  • Greg:

    “If there's going to be a time, this is the D. White run right now to get in the game.” [40:58]

6. NBA Trade Rumor Brainstorming

[42:46-45:10]

• Brief digression on Michael Porter Jr. as a high-end trade chip (“I want to see him get traded.”) and theoretical fits for contenders (notably, OKC Thunder).
  • Greg:

    “I think you're going to hear some rumors about Michael Porter Jr. to the Thunder.” [44:50]

7. TV Review: "Pluribus" (Spoilers, [45:13-53:10])

• Greg and Will deep-dive into the show’s themes, pacing, and overall impact.
• Greg notes:

  “That show did such a good job of making you question your own morals and your own ethics... Of the 13 survivors, I think you could see a bit of yourself in each of those 13.” [45:49]

• Will felt the premise carried the show, but found the latter half repetitive and the main character (“Carol”) a “bad hang.”
• They speculate on the show’s commentary (possible AI/solitude allegory), and swap "what would YOU do?" hypotheticals.

Notable quote:

“Smelling their own farts a little bit is what I walked away [with].” – Will, on the show’s introspective bent [48:05]

• Will and Greg discuss favorite genres, recent movies watched, and compare "Pluribus" to "Three Body Problem" (both prefer the latter for pure entertainment).

8. Other Celtics & Life Odds and Ends

[53:10-end]

• Brief plug for “The Dead Know Nothing” by Mark James McDonough (listener/friend author).
• Looking ahead: Celtics’ next games vs. the Raptors and Wemby’s Spurs.
• Commentary on Wembanyama’s “addiction” to coming off the bench and hypothetical award runs.

Memorable Quotes

• On Kobe Fandom:
  “Kobe takes the cake as far as how adamant and passionate those specific Kobe stands are... Those are the only things that I can compare to what people say about Taylor Swift fans or Beyoncé type fans.” — Will [05:04]

• On Trade Season Launch:
  “That’s going to start trade season...” — Will, on the Trae Young deal [10:05]

• On Jalen Brown’s Off-Night:
  “Jalen just played with blinders on... It just wasn’t the MVP level JB that we’ve seen.” — Greg [11:58]

• On Kaida’s Rebounding:
  “His motor is such a game changer... I was surprised Missoula kind of had him on the bench the last 8 minutes of the game because he was so impactful.” — Greg [16:53]

• On Derrick White:
  “He’s averaging 3 stocks per game. It’s just crazy. ... That’s insane for a guard.” — Will [34:29]

• On Pluribus:
  “Smelling their own farts a little bit is what I walked away [with].” — Will [48:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:01] – Show intro, Celtics loss setup, podcast banter
• [02:43] – Jalen Brown, Kobe comparison, internet backlash
• [06:23] – Kobe’s legacy and Celtics-Lakers anxiety
• [07:20] – Trae Young to Wizards trade break
• [11:05] – Nuggets-Celtics deep dive: Jalen’s struggles, gameflow
• [16:43] – Praise for Nēmiēs Kaida, Missoula’s rotation decisions
• [20:11] – Late-game substitutions, defensive lapses
• [23:56] – Missoula’s coaching, endgame critiques
• [28:13] – Celtics trade deadline approach
• [33:07] – Derrick White’s All-Star credentials
• [40:58] – All-Star team roster debates, Eastern fringe cases
• [45:13] – "Pluribus" TV review, morality and human nature
• [53:10] – Recent movie recs, wrap-up and book plug

Tone and Style

The hosts are both passionate and casual, blending informed basketball takes with inside jokes, social analogies, and a willingness to argue and self-critique. The mood swings—matching the Celtics’ own volatility—are honest, frustrated, yet hopeful for Boston’s season.

Summary Takeaways

• Celtics drop a winnable game—depth and late-game coaching are ongoing questions, especially absent Tatum.
• Trae Young’s shock trade to the Wizards may spark a new phase in the NBA trade market.
• Frontcourt depth is both the team’s glaring need and the likely focus for any deadline deal.
• Derrick White’s All-Star case is real, boosted by defense and team success.
• The pod veers from deep basketball analysis to pop culture, always with the keen, sometimes irreverent, voice of diehard Celtic fans.