Locked On Celtics – Amari Williams DESERVES More NBA Minutes | Small Ball PLAN for Boston Celtics

Host: John Karalis (Boston Sports Journal)
Date: November 28, 2025
Podcast: Locked On Celtics (Locked On Podcast Network)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Boston Celtics' recent win over the Detroit Pistons, focusing on Amari Williams’ promising performance and the potential for a role in the NBA rotation. Host John Karalis unpacks the merits of using a small ball lineup, weighs the case for player development stints in the G League, and spends the second half answering listener mailbag questions—most notably about Jayson Tatum’s anticipated return, some spirited discussion on shooting slumps, and persistent concerns over Jalen Brown’s turnovers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amari Williams – Earning NBA Minutes

(Starts ~02:19)

Karalis gives overdue credit to Amari Williams for his contributions against Detroit, highlighting smart plays like setting a key screen, a “high-opposite” left-handed pass out of the post, and his shot-blocking instincts.
While praising Williams’ shot-blocking, Karalis points to areas of improvement:
- Williams sometimes fails to secure position for rebounds after contesting shots.
- “There were three instances of block attempts where he didn’t...just kind of turned and looked and kind of got pushed around.”
  (John Karalis, 03:49)
Williams’ ability to play alongside stars like Jaylen Brown is emphasized as a skill that should be developed at the NBA level, even if it means shuffling between Boston and the G League (Maine Celtics).
Karalis suggests a developmental plan: get Williams some NBA reps, then send him to the G League to directly work on specific lessons before bringing him back up.

Notable Quote:

"He has earned another look somewhere along the way...and maybe it’s now with Kada out...Maybe he’s earned a little bit of a look. Get him some reps with Jaylen Brown, it will be beneficial."
(John Karalis, 04:44)

2. Small Ball Adjustment & Tactical Flexibility

(05:38)

Karalis analyzes the Celtics’ mix of traditional “big” lineups (e.g., with shot-blocker Amari Williams) and new small-ball configurations, most notably using Josh Minott at center as a “change of pace.”
He likens strategic lineup switches to baseball’s use of alternating fastball and junk-ball pitchers to keep opponents off balance.
The importance of in-game adjustments, rather than rigid adherence to a pre-set plan, is underlined.

Notable Moment:

Description of a key “energy” play where the Garden crowd spontaneously breaks into cheers after a defensive sequence triggered by Williams’ block, further cementing his impact.

3. Ugo Gonzalez: Defensive Acumen and Potential

(08:43)

Ugo Gonzalez turns in a “really good” defensive stint, though only for six minutes.
Karalis projects him as a future star—not a franchise player, but a “Derrick White level” impact player due to his defensive instincts and work ethic.

Quote:

“I love Ugo Gonzalez. I think he is a star in the making...I can see him becoming like a Derrick White level star.”
(John Karalis, 09:34)

4. Teachable Moment – Late-Game Fouling Tactics

(10:18)

Karalis reviews a critical late-game foul on Cade Cunningham, expanding on coaching wisdom from Stephanie White and references to Marcus Smart.
The correct way to foul late in games: do it on the downward dribble, not when the shooter is able to gather, to avoid giving up free throws.

Quote:

“Foul on the downward dribble is a super smart way to put it. And that’s how guys should be taught and...has to be reinforced.”
(John Karalis, 12:16)

MAILBAG: Jayson Tatum’s Return & Strategic Player Development

(16:07) Mailbag begins

A. Predicting Tatum’s Return

Karalis fields praise for being “ahead of the curve” in predicting Tatum’s return this season, sticking to his “post-All-Star break” (February–March) forecast.
He stresses that wins/losses shouldn’t rush Tatum, but prefers he shake off rust this year, not at the beginning of next season.

Quote:

“I do not want the first NBA basketball that Jason Tatum plays to be the beginning of next season. Next season is a real season. This season is whatever.”
(John Karalis, 17:54)

B. G League Assignments for Rehab Stints

Responding to speculation whether Tatum would play G League games in Maine on his return, Karalis doubts it—but outlines the increasingly common practice of NBA stars joining G League practices for full-court action without playing in games.
He advocates for the system, likening it to MLB rehab starts, but acknowledges risks for superstars.

Quote:

“Jason Tatum will be assigned to the Maine Celtics...But what will end up happening is...Tatum will put on a Maine jersey and practice with those guys...I hope we get that picture.”
(John Karalis, 19:33)

C. Tatum’s Role in Playoff Push?

Karalis says it’s plausible Tatum could help the Celtics in a limited, high-level role late in the season, but tempers expectations for him being a savior or playing major minutes.
- “It’s not out of the question...he just becomes kind of like a high-level...role player. You’re not asking him to start.”
No pressure or overuse: “Under no circumstances ramp him up for a playoff run and have him play 40 minutes.”

Q&A: Turnovers, Shooting Slumps, and Fan Frustration

A. Blocked Layups vs. Jump Shot Fouls

(27:48)

A listener asks: Why are players sometimes “wiped out” after blocked layups with no foul, while shooters on jump shots draw ‘protect the shooter’ calls?
Karalis explains: Falling on a defender’s foot after a jump shot causes more major injuries than getting hit or blocked on layups. Recent rule changes try to reduce risk on both, but may never fully equate the two.

B. Jalen Brown’s Turnover Critique – Taking on the Critics

(31:35)

In response to a sharply worded listener question, Karalis defends Brown and other stars:
- Even the best (Jokic, Giannis, Curry, SGA) have high-turnover games; it’s an artifact of usage, not a sign a player isn’t a superstar.
- You “have to be damn good” to be left on the court long enough to rack up eight turnovers.
“Superstars just don’t do that?” is, per Karalis, “absolutely, patently false.”

Memorable Quotes:

“You know how good you have to be to turn the ball over eight times? You have to be a damn good player to turn the ball over four or five times and still be in the game so you can turn the ball over three more times.”
(John Karalis, 33:49)

C. Shooting Slumps – Will the Shot Come?

(35:04)

Listener is frustrated Karalis says “his shot will come” during slumps; compares it to a surgeon’s “steady hands.”
Karalis rebuts: shooting is streaky by nature, even for great shooters; everyone slumps. He provides evidence from Derrick White’s statistics to show how quickly cold spells can end.

Quote:

“There is not a player who shoots regularly that doesn’t go through a shooting slump. Every one of them goes through a slump.”
(John Karalis, 35:33)

Even Steph Curry has had high-turnover and bad shooting nights.
The key: The best players work through slumps and still contribute, and there’s no expectation for perfection.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

[04:44] “He has earned another look somewhere along the way...maybe he’s earned a little bit of a look.” (on Amari Williams)
[09:34] “I love Ugo Gonzalez. I think he is a star in the making...a Derrick White level star.”
[12:16] “Foul on the downward dribble is a super smart way to put it.”
[17:54] “I do not want the first NBA basketball that Jason Tatum plays to be the beginning of next season.”
[19:33] “[Tatum] will put on a Maine jersey and practice with those guys...I hope we get that picture.”
[33:49] “You know how good you have to be to turn the ball over eight times? You have to be a damn good player...”
[35:33] “There is not a player who shoots regularly that doesn’t go through a shooting slump...[It] happens all the time.”

Episode Structure & Timestamps

[01:41] Show intro; recap of Pistons game; Amari Williams’ performance breakdown
[05:38] Analysis of small-ball vs. big lineups; in-game adjustment philosophy
[08:43] Quick takes on Ugo Gonzalez’s defensive upside
[10:18] Coaching points on how/when to foul in late-game scenarios
[16:07] Mailbag: Tatum’s return timeline & rehab path
[19:33] G League assignments for NBA rehab; Tatum in Maine
[22:10] Tatum’s playoff minute projections
[27:48] Why blocked layups get different foul treatment than jump shots
[31:35] Jalen Brown turnovers; superstar standards rebuttal
[35:04] Shooting slumps in the NBA; why “shot will come” is appropriate

Tone & Style

Karalis is conversational but authoritative, combining humor (“You know how good you have to be to turn the ball over eight times?”) with a coach’s directness and a beat writer’s attention to detail. He consistently grounds his arguments in stats, historical examples, and player development theory, pushing back constructively (sometimes sharply) against hot takes from the fanbase but always returning to education and context.

Useful for:

Fans interested in granular Celtics analysis and player development philosophy
Listeners wanting intelligent, stats-driven responses to “barstool” criticism
Anyone tracking Jayson Tatum’s comeback and the logic behind NBA rehab assignments
Celtics diehards seeking insight into the team’s rotation decisions and tactical flexibility

Note: Ads, intros, outros, and promotional mentions have been omitted from this summary to focus on basketball content and analysis.

Locked On Celtics – Amari Williams DESERVES More NBA Minutes | Small Ball PLAN for Boston Celtics

Host: John Karalis (Boston Sports Journal)
Date: November 28, 2025
Podcast: Locked On Celtics (Locked On Podcast Network)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amari Williams – Earning NBA Minutes

(Starts ~02:19)

Karalis gives overdue credit to Amari Williams for his contributions against Detroit, highlighting smart plays like setting a key screen, a “high-opposite” left-handed pass out of the post, and his shot-blocking instincts.
While praising Williams’ shot-blocking, Karalis points to areas of improvement:
- Williams sometimes fails to secure position for rebounds after contesting shots.
- “There were three instances of block attempts where he didn’t...just kind of turned and looked and kind of got pushed around.”
  (John Karalis, 03:49)
Williams’ ability to play alongside stars like Jaylen Brown is emphasized as a skill that should be developed at the NBA level, even if it means shuffling between Boston and the G League (Maine Celtics).
Karalis suggests a developmental plan: get Williams some NBA reps, then send him to the G League to directly work on specific lessons before bringing him back up.

Notable Quote:

"He has earned another look somewhere along the way...and maybe it’s now with Kada out...Maybe he’s earned a little bit of a look. Get him some reps with Jaylen Brown, it will be beneficial."
(John Karalis, 04:44)

2. Small Ball Adjustment & Tactical Flexibility

(05:38)

Karalis analyzes the Celtics’ mix of traditional “big” lineups (e.g., with shot-blocker Amari Williams) and new small-ball configurations, most notably using Josh Minott at center as a “change of pace.”
He likens strategic lineup switches to baseball’s use of alternating fastball and junk-ball pitchers to keep opponents off balance.
The importance of in-game adjustments, rather than rigid adherence to a pre-set plan, is underlined.

Notable Moment:

Description of a key “energy” play where the Garden crowd spontaneously breaks into cheers after a defensive sequence triggered by Williams’ block, further cementing his impact.

3. Ugo Gonzalez: Defensive Acumen and Potential

(08:43)

Ugo Gonzalez turns in a “really good” defensive stint, though only for six minutes.
Karalis projects him as a future star—not a franchise player, but a “Derrick White level” impact player due to his defensive instincts and work ethic.

Quote:

“I love Ugo Gonzalez. I think he is a star in the making...I can see him becoming like a Derrick White level star.”
(John Karalis, 09:34)

4. Teachable Moment – Late-Game Fouling Tactics

(10:18)

Karalis reviews a critical late-game foul on Cade Cunningham, expanding on coaching wisdom from Stephanie White and references to Marcus Smart.
The correct way to foul late in games: do it on the downward dribble, not when the shooter is able to gather, to avoid giving up free throws.

Quote:

“Foul on the downward dribble is a super smart way to put it. And that’s how guys should be taught and...has to be reinforced.”
(John Karalis, 12:16)

MAILBAG: Jayson Tatum’s Return & Strategic Player Development

(16:07) Mailbag begins

A. Predicting Tatum’s Return

Karalis fields praise for being “ahead of the curve” in predicting Tatum’s return this season, sticking to his “post-All-Star break” (February–March) forecast.
He stresses that wins/losses shouldn’t rush Tatum, but prefers he shake off rust this year, not at the beginning of next season.

Quote:

“I do not want the first NBA basketball that Jason Tatum plays to be the beginning of next season. Next season is a real season. This season is whatever.”
(John Karalis, 17:54)

B. G League Assignments for Rehab Stints

Responding to speculation whether Tatum would play G League games in Maine on his return, Karalis doubts it—but outlines the increasingly common practice of NBA stars joining G League practices for full-court action without playing in games.
He advocates for the system, likening it to MLB rehab starts, but acknowledges risks for superstars.

Quote:

“Jason Tatum will be assigned to the Maine Celtics...But what will end up happening is...Tatum will put on a Maine jersey and practice with those guys...I hope we get that picture.”
(John Karalis, 19:33)

C. Tatum’s Role in Playoff Push?

Karalis says it’s plausible Tatum could help the Celtics in a limited, high-level role late in the season, but tempers expectations for him being a savior or playing major minutes.
- “It’s not out of the question...he just becomes kind of like a high-level...role player. You’re not asking him to start.”
No pressure or overuse: “Under no circumstances ramp him up for a playoff run and have him play 40 minutes.”

Q&A: Turnovers, Shooting Slumps, and Fan Frustration

A. Blocked Layups vs. Jump Shot Fouls

(27:48)

A listener asks: Why are players sometimes “wiped out” after blocked layups with no foul, while shooters on jump shots draw ‘protect the shooter’ calls?
Karalis explains: Falling on a defender’s foot after a jump shot causes more major injuries than getting hit or blocked on layups. Recent rule changes try to reduce risk on both, but may never fully equate the two.

B. Jalen Brown’s Turnover Critique – Taking on the Critics

(31:35)

In response to a sharply worded listener question, Karalis defends Brown and other stars:
- Even the best (Jokic, Giannis, Curry, SGA) have high-turnover games; it’s an artifact of usage, not a sign a player isn’t a superstar.
- You “have to be damn good” to be left on the court long enough to rack up eight turnovers.
“Superstars just don’t do that?” is, per Karalis, “absolutely, patently false.”

Memorable Quotes:

“You know how good you have to be to turn the ball over eight times? You have to be a damn good player to turn the ball over four or five times and still be in the game so you can turn the ball over three more times.”
(John Karalis, 33:49)

C. Shooting Slumps – Will the Shot Come?

(35:04)

Listener is frustrated Karalis says “his shot will come” during slumps; compares it to a surgeon’s “steady hands.”
Karalis rebuts: shooting is streaky by nature, even for great shooters; everyone slumps. He provides evidence from Derrick White’s statistics to show how quickly cold spells can end.

Quote:

“There is not a player who shoots regularly that doesn’t go through a shooting slump. Every one of them goes through a slump.”
(John Karalis, 35:33)

Even Steph Curry has had high-turnover and bad shooting nights.
The key: The best players work through slumps and still contribute, and there’s no expectation for perfection.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

[04:44] “He has earned another look somewhere along the way...maybe he’s earned a little bit of a look.” (on Amari Williams)
[09:34] “I love Ugo Gonzalez. I think he is a star in the making...a Derrick White level star.”
[12:16] “Foul on the downward dribble is a super smart way to put it.”
[17:54] “I do not want the first NBA basketball that Jason Tatum plays to be the beginning of next season.”
[19:33] “[Tatum] will put on a Maine jersey and practice with those guys...I hope we get that picture.”
[33:49] “You know how good you have to be to turn the ball over eight times? You have to be a damn good player...”
[35:33] “There is not a player who shoots regularly that doesn’t go through a shooting slump...[It] happens all the time.”

Episode Structure & Timestamps

[01:41] Show intro; recap of Pistons game; Amari Williams’ performance breakdown
[05:38] Analysis of small-ball vs. big lineups; in-game adjustment philosophy
[08:43] Quick takes on Ugo Gonzalez’s defensive upside
[10:18] Coaching points on how/when to foul in late-game scenarios
[16:07] Mailbag: Tatum’s return timeline & rehab path
[19:33] G League assignments for NBA rehab; Tatum in Maine
[22:10] Tatum’s playoff minute projections
[27:48] Why blocked layups get different foul treatment than jump shots
[31:35] Jalen Brown turnovers; superstar standards rebuttal
[35:04] Shooting slumps in the NBA; why “shot will come” is appropriate

Tone & Style

Useful for:

Fans interested in granular Celtics analysis and player development philosophy
Listeners wanting intelligent, stats-driven responses to “barstool” criticism
Anyone tracking Jayson Tatum’s comeback and the logic behind NBA rehab assignments
Celtics diehards seeking insight into the team’s rotation decisions and tactical flexibility

Note: Ads, intros, outros, and promotional mentions have been omitted from this summary to focus on basketball content and analysis.

Amari Williams DESERVES More NBA Minutes | Small Ball PLAN for Boston Celtics

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Summary

Locked On Celtics – Amari Williams DESERVES More NBA Minutes | Small Ball PLAN for Boston Celtics

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amari Williams – Earning NBA Minutes

2. Small Ball Adjustment & Tactical Flexibility

3. Ugo Gonzalez: Defensive Acumen and Potential

4. Teachable Moment – Late-Game Fouling Tactics

MAILBAG: Jayson Tatum’s Return & Strategic Player Development

A. Predicting Tatum’s Return

B. G League Assignments for Rehab Stints

C. Tatum’s Role in Playoff Push?

Q&A: Turnovers, Shooting Slumps, and Fan Frustration

A. Blocked Layups vs. Jump Shot Fouls

B. Jalen Brown’s Turnover Critique – Taking on the Critics

C. Shooting Slumps – Will the Shot Come?

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

Tone & Style

Useful for:

Summary

Locked On Celtics – Amari Williams DESERVES More NBA Minutes | Small Ball PLAN for Boston Celtics

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amari Williams – Earning NBA Minutes

2. Small Ball Adjustment & Tactical Flexibility

3. Ugo Gonzalez: Defensive Acumen and Potential

4. Teachable Moment – Late-Game Fouling Tactics

MAILBAG: Jayson Tatum’s Return & Strategic Player Development

A. Predicting Tatum’s Return

B. G League Assignments for Rehab Stints

C. Tatum’s Role in Playoff Push?

Q&A: Turnovers, Shooting Slumps, and Fan Frustration

A. Blocked Layups vs. Jump Shot Fouls

B. Jalen Brown’s Turnover Critique – Taking on the Critics

C. Shooting Slumps – Will the Shot Come?

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

Tone & Style

Useful for: