Locked On Celtics – Flashcard Friday (On a Thursday): Awards Predictions, All-Star Potentials, and Trade Talk

Podcast: Locked On Celtics - Daily Podcast On The Boston Celtics
Host: John Karalis
Guest: Tom Westerholm
Date: September 25, 2025
Episode Theme:
A rapid-fire, listener-driven Q&A episode covering awards predictions, all-star talk, fake trade scenarios, and a mix of serious and lighthearted Celtics/NBA discussions—delivered in a relaxed, improvisational “Flashcard Friday” style.

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, John Karalis and Tom Westerholm answer listener-submitted questions on wide-ranging Celtics and NBA topics. The focus is on predictions for MVP, All-Star, and All-NBA selections, trade rumors (including Anfernee Simons), team needs, ideal player fits, franchise history, and some fun, nostalgic asides. The episode is fast-paced and unscripted, offering authentic insight and humor from two Celtics experts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jason Tatum’s MVP Chances

• [04:16] Will Tatum ever win MVP?
  • Tom: “Yes… There could easily be a season, perhaps next season, where the Celtics improve a lot, and it seems like it’s because Jason Tatum was available for the whole season… We know how much narrative is a nice boost for the MVP.”
  • John: “I think he’s gonna have one shot at it…I’m gonna say no. Jason Tatum never wins an MVP. He’ll get up there…but he’s never going to win an MVP. So call me a hater. People have called me worse.”

2. Role/Importance of Assistant Coaches

• [05:33] What do assistants bring to the table?
  • Tom: “Individual training. A lot of different voices...Another set of eyes… a filter, they can synthesize and relay player frustration to the head coach.”
  • John: “They provide dissenting voices...a level of expertise…They also run and scrimmage against players…That’s...big.”

3. ‘Would’ve Been Great Celtics’

• [08:41]
  • Tom: “KD [Kevin Durant]. KD, Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford would have been a fascinating championship-quality team—real sliding doors moment.”
  • John: “Desmond Bane...think about him with the Joe Mazzulla green light.”

4. Fake Trade Scenarios (Anfernee Simons)

• [10:46] Trade fit for Anfernee Simons?
  • John: “If they wanted to do it for financial purposes, they would have done it by now...I’d look at Dallas, maybe Gafford from Dallas—that’s the type of trade I’d be looking for.”
  • Tom: “No, don’t trade Anfernee Simons. That’s what I think.”

5. Will Simons Survive the Trade Deadline?

• [14:45]
  • Tom: “I think he does…When Tatum comes back, there’s going to be this three-headed scoring monster… He’s good, a really good offensive player.”
  • John: “May actually depend on Jason Tatum…If Tatum comes back before the deadline, maybe they keep Simons, maybe they move him for a big. I’m going to say yes, he survives the deadline. It’s tough.”

6. Jalen Brown 2025-26 Projections

• [17:41]
  • Tom: “Without Tatum, he could go for the 27/7/7 LeBron stat line…Probably more like 23/5/5 with Tatum back.”
  • John: “I’ll say 25/7/6—an All-Star and Third Team All-NBA. He’ll need to rebound. Somebody has to do it.”

7. Derrick White as an All-Star

• [20:14]
  • Tom: “I’m going to say no…Is he All-Star quality? Yeah. But it’s so hard to make an All-Star team, especially as a guard.”
  • John: “I’m gonna say initially no, but he’ll get in as a replacement. This is his one year to get in as a replacement.”

8. Who Fits Best With the Jays (Tatum & Brown)?

• [25:40]
  • Tom: “Two guys perfect for the Jays: Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. You need a versatile guard who can defend and isn’t upset to be off the ball.”
  • John: “The big version of that is Al Horford. Sets picks, can pop or roll, defends, and can switch.”

9. Celtics’ Biggest Roster Need

• [27:10]
  • Both: “A starting-quality center...A seven-footer who can shoot and play 30 good minutes.”
  • John: “Can Namias Queta rise to that occasion? I’m skeptical.”

10. Nostalgic Celtics Favorites

• [28:08]
  • John: “Ryan Gomes...perfect role player.”
  • Tom: “Antoine Walker—big Walker guy…‘Why do you shoot threes? ‘Cause there are no fours!’”—loved his personality.

11. Who Will Make the Most 3s This Season?

• [30:14]
  • Both: “Peyton Pritchard. If he starts, especially, it’ll be a lot of drive-and-kick.”
  • Tom: “Dark horse is Anfernee Simons. That dude can really shoot.”

12. Season Wish Lists

• [30:56]
  • John: “My wish list is that Jason Tatum does indeed come back and these guys actually get meaningful time together.”
  • Tom: "I want to be able to see by the end of the season what the plan is for the next couple of years…how are you going to maximize Tatum’s prime?"

13. Bill Walton as a Sixth Man?

• [32:51]
  • John: “No one thinks of him as a sixth man except in Boston. To call him one of the best sixth men undersells his career.”

14. Joe Mazzulla’s Fit and Player Relationships

• [33:23]
  • John: “Jason Tatum was gushing about Joe Mazzulla…That’s not just lip service. These guys…love Joe Mazzulla. He’s really good at this job, especially connecting with guys.”

15. Non-All-Star ‘All-Star’ Celtics

• [34:20]
  • John: “Derrick White’s the captain of that team.”
  • Tom: “Unquestionably.”

Notable & Memorable Quotes

• On Tatum’s MVP odds:
  • “He’ll get up there, he’ll get the second or third, but he’s never going to win an MVP. So call me a hater. People have called me worse.” – John, [05:03]
• On assistant coaches:
  • “They provide dissenting voices for the coach. They provide a level of expertise…They have different levels of experience, different personalities that guys can rely on.” – John, [06:29]
• On fake trades:
  • “No, don’t trade Anfernee Simons. That’s what I think.” – Tom, [12:22]
• On roster needs:
  • “The type of player the Celtics need most is a center…A tall guy who can give you 30 good minutes. Is he already on the roster?” – John, [27:22]
• On Derrick White:
  • “I think the world of Derrick White as a basketball player.” – Tom, [21:36]
• On Celtics nostalgia:
  • “One of my early claim to fame was being against the Garnett trade…As soon as I saw Pierce, Garnett, and Ray Allen at the introductory press conference, I was like, oh yeah, never mind. This is going to be awesome.” – John, [28:10]
• On Joe Mazzulla:
  • “These guys, I’d say by and large…love Joe Mazzulla. He’s really good at this job.” – John, [34:16]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Start of episode & intro | 00:28 | | Will Tatum ever win MVP? | 04:16 | | The role of assistant coaches | 05:33 | | ‘Would’ve Been Great’ Celtics (KD, Desmond Bane, LeBron, etc.) | 08:41 | | Fake trades: Anfernee Simons scenarios | 10:46 | | Will Simons survive the trade deadline? | 14:45 | | Jalen Brown’s 2025-26 projections and awards | 17:41 | | Derrick White: All-Star odds | 20:14 | | Who fits best with the Jays? | 25:40 | | What is the Celtics' biggest need? | 27:10 | | Favorite late 90s/2000s Celtics players | 28:08 | | Who makes the most 3-pointers? | 30:14 | | This season’s wish list | 30:56 | | Bill Walton as sixth man? | 32:51 | | Joe Mazzulla’s connection with players | 33:23 | | Non-All-Star “All-Star” Celtics team | 34:20 |

Memorable Moments & Fun Asides

• Nostalgic Deep Cuts: Ryan Gomes, Antoine Walker, Tony Battie, Deino Radja, and more get shoutouts as beloved, sometimes underappreciated Celtics.
• Obscure Celtics: Tayshaun Prince, Leandro Barbosa, Chris Humphries, Gigi Datome, and Jameer Nelson pop up in the “Oh, THAT guy played for the Celtics?” segment. [36:06]
• Silly Prompts: What Celtic jersey number would make you sick? Neither John nor Tom had a strong answer, but “If they ever unretired 6...that would be sick.” [39:10]
• Simpsons Comparison Fails: The hosts realize the team just doesn’t have big enough personalities for Simpsons character comps.
  • “This team does not, like, scream The Simpsons to me.” – John, [40:40]

Takeaways

• Optimism for Jalen Brown’s All-Star and All-NBA chances are high.
• Derrick White is criminally underrated, and this may be his year to sneak into the All-Star game—if only as a replacement.
• The Celtics’ most glaring need remains a true starting-quality center, and while trade talk floats around Anfernee Simons, both hosts expect he’ll stay...unless team needs shift sharply.
• Joe Mazzulla’s connection with the team, especially with Tatum, looks strong and not just for show.
• Celtics fans’ favorite role players, ‘almost-were’ stars, and some truly deep-cut trivia were all celebrated with equal enthusiasm.

“Not all freestyles are bangers. ...But thank you all so much again.”
– John Karalis, [43:01]

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