Locked On Celtics: Anfernee Simons' EXPLOSIVE Comments | Has Joe Mazzulla ALREADY Won Over New Celtics?

Date: October 2, 2025
Host: John Karalis (Boston Sports Journal, Locked On Podcast Network)
Guest: Tom Westerholm (boston.com)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the shifting mood at Boston Celtics training camp following significant offseason changes, including roster turnover and the arrival of new players adapting to Joe Mazzulla’s philosophy. The conversation centers on the emotional atmosphere post-trades, heightened by comments from Anfernee Simons throwing shade at his former team (the Portland Trail Blazers) and highlighting the Celtics' new defensive focus. The episode also scrutinizes Joe Mazzulla’s immediate rapport with the new roster and how his people-first approach is shaping early team chemistry.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Atmosphere at Celtics Training Camp

Timestamp: 04:02–07:11

• Tom Westerholm: Describes an unfamiliar, "strange" vibe at camp, with uncertainty dominating due to many new faces and the loss of familiar teammates.
• Jalen Brown’s quote (Media Day): “It’s a little bit sad. A lot of the guys I’ve spent a lot of time with – we had such a great group... To see them not be around anymore, obviously, is going to have an effect on our team. But we’ve got five new players that we’ve got to get onboarded and acclimated into the system." (06:36)
• The hosts note this transition is the norm in the NBA, but it’s hitting harder given the stability of past seasons.

Memorable moment:

“[It’s] the Wolverine meme of him laying in bed with the picture frame, and it’s just like Luke [Cornet] and KP and Drew, and he’s just like...” – John Karalis (04:56)

2. Tactical Changes: New Offense, New Defense

Timestamp: 08:03–11:10

• The team is not just dealing with new personnel, but also learning new systems on both ends.
• Celtics are practicing at a much higher pace, running more, and shifting away from last season’s offensive and defensive schemes.
• Assistant coaches and players alike are physically exhausted, underlining the intensity—a sign of enforced change.

Memorable moment:

“I saw assistant coaches walking off, like, full sweat. Just full pouring sweat. You probably lost like 3 pounds coaching. How does coaching become a better workout than what I’m doing at the gym?” – John Karalis (10:34)

3. Anfernee Simons' Explosive Comments About Defense

Timestamp: 14:45–22:35

• Simons, traded from the Blazers, made eyebrow-raising comments at Celtics Media Day regarding his newfound defensive enthusiasm, implying he wasn’t coached or motivated to play defense in Portland.

  Highlighted Quote:

  “Those things are something I never really worked on or, you know, been taught. And so I was happy that, you know, that was the focus... you could see the impact on those four weeks [of defense work].” – Anfernee Simons (16:51)

• The hosts note: Portland is portrayed as lacking defensive accountability, while the Celtics are making it a core focus.

• Simons’ “petty” jab at his old team is both humorous and damning, sparking sympathy for frustrated Blazers fans.

Memorable exchange:

“It’s like a breakup... She’s like, ‘Yeah, he never paid attention to me.’... And the new girlfriend’s like, ‘What are you talking about? Buys me flowers all the time.’”
– John Karalis (21:53)

4. Joe Mazzulla’s Impact on New Players

Timestamp: 26:41–37:27

• Joe Mazzulla’s style is already winning over the new players, creating a sense of belonging and buy-in.
• Joe prefers players call him ‘Joe’ rather than ‘Coach’, signaling a collaborative, peer-like leadership style.
• Simons and others praise Mazzulla for caring about players as people, building trust, and motivating them to accept hard coaching.

Notable Insight:

“He cares about who you are personally... so when he gets on you in practice, you don’t take it personally because you know he cares.” – Paraphrased from Simons via John Karalis (26:54)

• Tom Westerholm analogizes Mazzulla’s ceiling to that of Eric Spoelstra, citing his ability to foster buy-in from both stars and new players.
• The discussion highlights that fostering togetherness and adaptability is an underrated coaching skill, and Mazzulla’s early work could silence skeptics.

Memorable comparison:

“You don’t just get a team of veteran stars to buy in. That doesn’t just happen by accident... the coach has to inspire them.”
– Tom Westerholm (28:41)

5. Adjusting the Celtics’ Style of Play

Timestamp: 31:06–36:04

• The hosts address criticisms of Mazzulla (“too many threes”) and clarify that with new personnel, shot selection and style are changing.
• This team will play faster, shoot fewer threes, and rely more on early attacks, cuts, and defensive gambles.
• Emphasis on Mazzulla’s flexibility to adapt strategy to personnel, rather than shoehorning a fixed scheme.

Notable quote:

“People see what happened the past two years and... say, well, this is Joe Mazzulla’s philosophy. You haven’t seen him with these other guys... what he actually did was coach to his personnel.” – John Karalis (33:30)

6. The Value of Personal Connections in Coaching

Timestamp: 36:04–37:27

• Coaching effectively requires knowing how each player responds: some need direct confrontation; others require a softer approach.
• Mazzulla’s investment in understanding players’ lives and personalities helps get the most out of the roster, especially through turbulent seasons.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

1. Jalen Brown (via Tom Westerholm, paraphrased):

   “It feels a little bit sad around here right now... I miss Luke Cornet... Kristaps Porzingis... it feels different.” (04:02–04:56)

2. Tom Westerholm on NBA transitions:

   “This part of the season was always going to feel like this... it’s fine to feel a little sad... but this could be a low point. Like this, right now, before games even start, could be the low point.” (05:19–06:36)

3. John Karalis on Simons’ comments:

   “If I’m a Portland Trailblazers fan, I am angry about Anthony Simons. I am angry about what he is saying.” (11:10)

4. Anfernee Simons (Media Day):

   “Those things are something I never really worked on or been taught. And so I was happy that, you know, that was the focus.” (16:51)

5. John Karalis on Mazzulla’s approach:

   “Joe’s like, yeah, I’m just the guy. I’m basically their same age... Don’t call me coach. I’m just Joe.” (26:54)

6. Tom Westerholm on coaching buy-in:

   “You don’t just get a team of veteran stars to buy in... It doesn’t just happen by accident... The coach also has to inspire them.” (28:41)

7. John Karalis on adapting schemes:

   “It’s not about three-pointers, it’s about the best shot available... This year’s team is not going to do that.” (33:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Atmosphere post-roster changes: 04:02–07:11
• New offense & defense; intense practices: 08:03–11:10
• Simons’ media day & Blazers shade: 14:45–22:35
• Joe Mazzulla winning over new Celtics: 26:41–37:27
• Adapting Celtics’ style of play: 31:06–36:04
• Coaching through personal connection: 36:04–37:27

Summary In Brief

This episode captures a Celtics team at a crossroads: processing emotional departures, establishing a refreshed identity, and adapting both play style and culture under Joe Mazzulla. Anfernee Simons’ public reflections serve as a window into both his rejuvenated commitment and the sometimes-petty soap opera of NBA transitions. Mazzulla is already cementing his grasp, combining empathy with accountability as the franchise embarks on a season of profound change and, potentially, reward.

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