Awards PREDICTIONS | Potential ALL-STARS | Anfernee Simons TRADE scenarios

Summary

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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]

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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 |

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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]

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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.

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

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For more Celtics talk, subscribe and tune in every weekday for news, analysis, and insider insight!

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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Send and balance due if you pay off earlier Cancel Finance Agreement. IPhone 17 Pro 256 gigs 1099.99 and new line minimum $100 plus a month plan with auto PayPal Best mobile network in the US based on analysis by Oklo Speed Test Intelligence data 1H 2025 Visit t mobile.com for the last time this off season, it's a flashcard Friday on a Thursday. Your random topics completely blind. We're freestyling this episode right now on the Locked on Celtics podcast. Huh? Be ever ready. It's the seas. Who else could it be? What they going to say now? Screaming like J Corrales we kept the madness every game, every practice. Prime time Depp and T White on the sideline. Rennie J's how we started raising banners how we finish Locked on Celtics pot. Home of the winners, baby. Hey there. Welcome back to the Lockdown Celtics podcast right here on the Lockdown Podcast network where it is your team every day. Your team is the Boston Celtics. I talk about them every Monday through Friday, so make sure you're subscribed. Wherever you get your podcast, watch the show on YouTube. Share your thoughts in the comments section. Become an everydayer. Join me every day Monday through Friday. Plus bonus podcasts on the weekends when they play during the regular season. So that'll be fun. Regular seasons around the corner. We're doing flashcard Friday on a Thursday, because Friday show is going to be. Bill Chisholm, the new Celtics owner, is meeting the media on Thursday afternoon. So I will be there. I will share you things, the important things that he said. So make sure you're following me there. I'm John Kralis, by the way. Did I say that? Beat writer covering the Celtics for Boston Sports Journal. I so follow me there too, because I will be writing about Bill Chisholm. I've been doing the shop for like 20 years. Not that you can tell by the way, I'm entering this show. All right, let's do. Because I. I gotta bring Tom Westerholm in. Tom Westerholm. Hi, how are you?

[B]

John Corrales.

[A]

I am John Corrales. You've been covering this team for near about 20 years. 20. All right. Yeah, yeah. You know, I've been. I've only been talking for the last two, so I'm gonna hang, you know. Well, all right. We're podcasting at a different time of day. It's all off and I'm just thrown off. I have a cadence to my day. I have a routine and it's all akimbo. It is all just all over the place.

[B]

So it's a good thing we're lightning rounding then, huh? You don't have to.

[A]

Yes, not much thought. So we have these zero thoughts. Just these index cards, the final index cards. There are a few of them. We can't get through five or six, which means I have to shut the hell up and get to these random topics submitted by listeners. Let's start. Will Tatum, Jason Tatum, ever, ever in his career win an mvp.

[B]

Yes, yes. I'm. Yeah, I, I think, you know, we've got. He's. I think that he's got enough time left in his career. I think that 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 and he's back. You get like a nice, you know, we know how much narrative is, is a. Is a nice boost for the mvp. You know, he returns, he gets back in, you know, back in form and has a great season. So I could see it. I'll go. Yes. I'm. I am, however, slightly concerned that Victor Wembanyama might completely throw everything off.

[A]

I think he's gonna have one shot at it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. One shot. That's gonna be, I think, next season and it's gonna be tough coming off. So I'm gonna say no. Jason Tatum never wins an mvp. 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. All right, you're a hater. What assistant. What do assistant coaches bring to the table? Yeah, that simple question.

[B]

Individual training.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

That's a big one. A lot of different voices. Right. To the locker room. Because you don't want to have just one voice in the locker room.

[A]

You do not want to have sentence voices sometimes.

[B]

Yep, yep. It's important to have that. Another, you know, another set of eyes.

[A]

Certain level of expertise. You know, guys, look, you can tell from just social media. You watch a basketball game, 20 people will see 20 different things. And we disagree objectively. Certain things happened on the floor, like Jason Tatum or Jaylen Brown this year. Like, he made this shot. They missed this shot. And. But then you get into the. The why? Well. Well, this is why. Oh, you're a moron. Go back and forth. So assistant coaches provide dissenting voices for the coach. They provide a level of expertise. Some guys just have a knack for certain things. They have different levels of experience. They played different positions when they were coming up, so they know different things, little tricks and all that stuff. And, you know, they. I think they just bring different types of personalities that. That guys can rely on, because you have a locker room full of, like, 15 guys depending on the day. You're. They don't all get along with everybody. And so you have a set of assistant coaches that. Some guys. Some guys weren't born here. And so anybody that wasn't born here can go to that guy and say, hey, what's it like, adjusting or whatever? Like, so there are a lot of. It's. It's a lot, especially on this team. Because Joe Missoula empowers his assistant coaches.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

To do a lot.

[B]

Yep. Yeah. And I think, you know, last thing I point out, they offer a filter, right? It's like if you're. If you're frustrated with your. With something, right. And you bring it to your assistant coach, Right. You go to your assistant coach and you're like, hey, you know, why did this happen? You know, the assistant coach can then synthesize that and be like, okay, here's what I'm going to say to the head coach about this. Here's what I'm gonna say so that this guy doesn't get in, you know, like, this, like, heat of the moment doesn't, you know. Cause him trouble. Like, it's, you know, that's. I think, another small.

[A]

Yeah. I can speak from experience. When I, I had problems with my head coach in college, sometimes I'd go to one of the assistant coaches that my, you know, my big man coach, and I'd, like, I just vent and, you know, he would put his arm around me, pull me aside and tell me how to process it, and it never got back to the head coach. And that was. That's an important thing. You know, college is different than the pros, but you still need somebody with authority. Just look at any job, a manager, you know, a supervisor. You can go to supervisor and complain about their. Their boss and say, yeah, I don't.

[B]

Blah.

[A]

Whatever.

[B]

So, yep.

[A]

Important stuff. Also, they. They run. They. They actually get on the court. Yeah, gotta have. And we have to do that. Like, when Jason Tatum is coming back, he's going to scrimmage against assistant coaches.

[B]

Right.

[A]

These guys are all former players. When, when young guys, when the end of the bench guys don't get in, they'll scrimmage against the assistant coaches. That's. That's an important part of what they bring. Like, so that's, That's. That's big.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Who would have been a great Celtic? Who would have been. That wasn't. I guess, I don't know. That's a tough one.

[B]

Kd.

[A]

I mean, right. That's the. If you're going back and looking at guys that they might have gotten. I think KD was close.

[B]

Yeah. I. So I, I think that's. That's a real sliding doors era missed moment. Because I think kd, Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, would have been a fascinating championship quality team. That would have been really interesting, and it probably would have affected the trajectory of, you know, certain things. Like, do you, you know, do you have to rely so hard on Isaiah Thomas so that he ends up, you know, hurting himself? And do you go get Kyrie? Does that. You know, what. What happens there? Do you go get Kyrie anyway? And then he and KD are kind of malcontents and, you know, like, Brooklyn happens in Boston. Right. Like, you know, a lot of things could have happened there.

[A]

You could also say somebody like that they didn't draft or didn't keep. Like Desmond Bain.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[A]

You know, like Desmond Bain under Joe Missoula. Let's say everything went the same, and then Desmond Bain is playing under Joe Missoula. Think about him with the Joe Missoula green light.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That offense, I mean, that he would have Been incredible over the past few years. So.

[B]

Yeah, you know, I think would have made a good Celtic if he had gotten drafted to the Celtics. LeBron James.

[A]

Oh, you know that. Okay. We're not gonna rapid firemort because I, I debate this, Tom. You're a. More.

[B]

More and more people are saying you.

[A]

Couldn'T be more wrong. Michael Jordan. Okay. In the. Okay. We'll just leave it at that. Oh, geez, man. I, I didn't realize. Best fake trade. These are. These are complicated ones. I will say we can probably skip over this one because we. We've probably passed where a lot of these ideas were coming from.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

This was submitted probably pre Porzingis even.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I can't think of a. A fake Anthony Simons trade. Like, off the top of my head. I, I, I would, I would look at Dallas because I think what I'll say about the Anthony Simons trades is if they wanted to do it for financial purposes, they would have done it by now. And so I think they're looking to get a specific kind of return on. On Simons on top of potentially saving money. So I, I don't know. You know, is like a Derek Lively gonna become available at some point from Dallas? Is Dallas gonna feel like. You keep talking about Daniel Gafford. I don't know. What does he make? I don't even know what he makes off the top of my head here. Let's see. Do I have it? Nope, I do not have it. So he. Those. Those types of guys. Okay, let's see. Actually, it's like 13. 13.

[B]

I was just. I was gonna pull it up while you were talking there.

[A]

Yeah, 13. Thirteen and a half. Still not enough. But, but hey, you know, there's three teamers. But that. Look, in a world where you're getting a big saving money and all that stuff, depending on how things break, I don't think he's going to be the guy, but if there's some kind of, like, that's the type of trade I'd be looking for. So in a, In a. You know, I don't think Simons for Gafford is exactly the right move, but in that, in that realm, I don't know. Tom, what do you think? Anything?

[B]

No, don't trade Anthony Simons. That's. That's what I think.

[A]

Let's see. Oh, this is good, because I can skip second apron moves because they've already done all their second apron moves.

[B]

Oh, there you go.

[A]

We can skip through that. Okay, let's continue. This. Does Anthony Simon survive the trade deadline. We'll talk about that when we come back. Today's show is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is here. This is an opportunity for you to throw a few bucks on a game, whether you're a Patriots fan or maybe you're a fan of somebody else, or maybe you just want to bet on an unrelated game. People tend to do that with the NFL. So open up that FanDuel app. Go ahead and make that first five dollar bet. Make it a good one. Bet an easy one. I know it's not easy. Always easy betting on something. But give yourself the best odds. Because if you win that first five dollar bet, if you're a new customer, you get 300 in bonus bets. Then when you get those 300 in bonus bets, you can use those anywhere on the app. You can build the same game parlay, you can build player props, all of that stuff. So go to fanduel.com download that FanDuel app. Once you sign in, it'll ask you to set a limit, set a budget. Do that so you can gamble responsibly. You're setting your disposable income, whatever you can afford to lose, just in case you end up losing. It happens. So do that. And then get to FanDuel.com place your first $5 bet. If you win it as a new customer, you get 300 in bonus bets. And now a next level moment from ATT Business. Say you've sent out a gigantic shipment of pillows and they need to be there in time for International Sleep day. You've got AT and T5G so you're fully confident, but the vendor isn't responding. And International Sleep Day is tomorrow. Luckily, AT&T 5G lets you deal with any issues with ease, so the pillows will get delivered and everyone can sleep soundly. Especially you. AT&T 5G requires a compatible plan and device. Coverage not available everywhere. Learn [e-mail] 5G Network thank you for making Lockdown Celtics your first listen every day. Go check out Lockdown NBA Locked on NBA game night. Game night is seven days a week. I'm on Wednesdays with Jake Madison. When the season starts, we'll be covering every game, every night, so that's a great way to keep up with what's been happening. The afternoon show will give you all the big stories, the big storylines, whatever, debating those in the afternoons Monday through Friday. So check that out wherever you found this podcast. All right, Tom, Does Anthony Simons survive the trade deadline?

[B]

I think he does. I I, because I think I, I think two things are going to happen. One, I think he's going to be pretty good while Tatum is still out. Two, I think when Tatum comes back, there's going to be this like kind of three headed scoring monster. We know this team isn't going to be that good at defense and like Simons is a part of that problem for sure. But if you're not going to be good at defense, you better be good at offense and I think he will help the offense be better. So yeah, I think I, I've placed a lot of eggs in the betting on Anthony Simon's basket in this off season and I'm, I'm not, you know, you know, like in for a penny, in for a pound, you know what I mean? Like, sure, I think you will, but I do kind of think that he will. I think he's going to be better. I think a lot was made of like, how bad he is a defense and he's not great, but I think that not enough was made about why he's a solid NBA player, why he is, you know, a guy that people want because he's, he's good, he's a, he's a really good offensive player. So I think, I think they'll, I think he'll make.

[A]

May actually depend on Jason Tatum in like, we just spent yesterday's podcast talking about like I, I'm, I can easily talk myself into Jason Tatum coming back, you know, somewhere in December or January after making the declaration. I think it'd be, I saw, I.

[B]

Saw some doctor on, on one of the social media saying that they were like, November wasn't out of the question. And I was like, wow, that would.

[A]

Be, that would be just insane, absolutely insane if he came back in November. Yeah. So anyway, if, if he comes back December, January, even, whatever it is, and you're, you're well before the trade deadline, you actually have an opportunity to say, yeah, let's see, let's see how these guys work together. Maybe, maybe this year isn't out of the question. I mean, I, I think it is out of the question considering the team makeup. But yeah. So I don't know though, I, I don't know if Tatum coming back makes Simons stick around or if it makes the Celtics go. We have to move him for a big, we have to find a big somewhere somehow that we can put out there. So it's not just Nimish Kada that you're depending on.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Playoff run. So I don't know. Again, I don't know who that's going to be because you're looking at people in that. In that range. You know, the only one I can get to is Jakob Portal, who might. But. And they just. Toronto just gave him an extension, so.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I don't even know what the rules are after that. It's not going to be like Nurkic, it's not going to be Vucevich, it's not going to be those guys. So I don't know. It's gonna be tight.

[B]

If you're going to get a Vusovich, you might as well just keep Simons. Just. Yeah, I'm gonna.

[A]

I'm gonna say yes. He survives the deadline. It's. It's tough. All right. Project Jalen Brown's 25, 26 stat line and awards.

[B]

We did this the other day, and I jokes that he might. That he. That, you know, he could go for. Without Tatum. He could go for the 27, 7 and 7.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The LeBron stat line, which is obviously probably a little rosy. I think that with Tatum potentially coming back, you're probably looking even, even lower with some of these stats. Right. Assuming Tatum comes back. Because I think we both think that Tatum's coming back. So I'll say. I'll say. But. But I do think that he's going to get a bit of a boost, so I'll say 23, 5 and 5.

[A]

Okay. So his career high is 26.6.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

His career high rebounds is 6.9. And his career high assist was last season of 4.5. I think he's going to be at 25. I think he's gonna have to rebound. So I think he gets to seven. So seven. I think he gets to. Because they're gonna. They're gonna need.

[B]

Somebody's gotta do it. Right.

[A]

Somebody has to rebound this.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I think they're gonna. They're gonna crash their wings a lot. And I think. I think he's gonna see beyond that. I think an uptick in offensive rebound. So he's been averaging one and change. He. He might get up to, like, close to two offensive rebounds, I think. So I'm just gonna say seven. So 25, seven and he's gonna have to pass the ball. So I think 25, 7 and 6 up from. Up from 4.5. So another point and a half, and I think that's going to give some credit to Simons and the other guys being able to finish his passes. So.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. I do want to. Yeah, I. I want to say six Versus two. I want to go up to that one. I'm going to stay kind of low on scoring because I think that, yeah, I think I, because I think Tatum's coming back a lot earlier than we think. You know, if you get three months of Tatum, that's three months of, of Jalen back in his old role. Right. So.

[A]

Sure. I still, I still think that, you know, it's only three points up from what last year was and two points up from what the year before. So. Okay, so I'm gonna, I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say 25, 7 and 6, which is an all star and third team, all NBA.

[B]

I like that. Yeah, I'll go with that too.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

All star and all NBA.

[A]

All star and an all NBA. An all NBA season from Jalen Brown. I think, I think he's gonna have a really good year.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, where are we here? Okay. Is Derrick White an all star? Huh?

[B]

I think I'm gonna say no. I think just, just. And it's not, I mean, I think. Is he an all star quality player? Yeah, yeah, I think, yeah. But it's just, it's just so hard to make it. Oh, I mean, it's so hard to make an all star team and you know, like, as a guard.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I, I need to look at like last year's all star team.

[A]

It's, I think, I think the, the, the problem is going to be a lot of competitions, a lot of guards now some of like guy like Darius Garland is hurt and he's gonna miss a lot of time. So that, that's going to take away a, a potential, a potential competitor there. I, I'm gonna say initially, no, initially, like he'll be on the list of snubs, but then he gets in as a replacement. I'm gonna say this is his one year to get in as a, he'll get in as a replacement player and yeah, that's okay because I. No good.

[B]

No, I, I think that's, I, I think that's very plausible. Like, I'm not, when I say I don't think he'll make it, it's not. Because I don't think he could. You know, I, I, I, I think he definitely could. I think he's, I mean, I, I think the world of Derrick White as a basketball player.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Yeah. But it's just hard with it.

[A]

I mean.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, like, you know, you got last year's, right? You have the guards in the, in the, like just the final fan returns. You Have Lamello Ball, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, you know, Lillard, obviously not a Trey Young, Cade, Tyrese Maxey, Darius Garland. And then you have like Jordan Poole, which.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure, sure. But you know, you could look at, I mean, Cade Brunson, Maxi. I'm not worried about Lamelo, but like, if Lamelo. Lamelo is going to be popular. Yeah, but if he's, if he's just having a typical Lamelo season where it's a lot of flash and they're still not good, then I, I don't think he'll get the other votes. But it's possible. He always has a chance because if they are, have, if, if he's having the type of season where it's like, oh, okay, he's starting to figure out like how to play then. Yeah.

[B]

So, I mean, and like even last year, right, I, I, like, I understand that it's flash, but I mean, and he had 25, five and seven and a half. Like, those are, those are big time stats.

[A]

Like, they're big numbers now. They were empty numbers and that's why he didn't get in.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

And the coaches and everybody else, they were like, yeah, no, but I think, I think the, it's going to be stacked and, and, but he, I think he'll get in as an injury replacement. Okay, so that's my, that's my yes. All right, we're going to take a break. We're going to come back, we're going to say, man, these are tough questions, man. What, what kind of player play works well with the Jays?

[B]

Anthony Simons, move on.

[A]

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[B]

I'm free. All right. I, I think that I, I think that we've seen it the last couple years. I think the two guys who I think are just perfect are guys like Drew Holiday and are guys like Derrick White. I think you have that defense, like a guard who can shoot, a guard who can, like, you score when he needs to, but who is like, not like, upset to be playing like, off the ball some. And who. And who is very defensive minded. Very, you know, like, like, you know, like very, very flexible in what he can do. Versatile. Yeah. I don't know why I couldn't. It is definitely the time of day, man. I'm like coming in from your window like crazy. No, like a versatile guard who can do a lot of different things and who isn't upset to be off the ball but is really talented defensively. I think that's like your perfect Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown guy.

[A]

I Think. I think it's like Al Horford, that type.

[B]

Well, sure. So the big version.

[A]

The big version of everything that you said. Yeah, the guy who sets, picks and can pop and, or, and, or roll. How many of those guys exist? But yeah, if you can find any.

[B]

Of those guys exist and then are also great on the defensive end.

[A]

Right, right. That's the tough part.

[B]

The bonus, you know, like, you got like, guys like that would be great.

[A]

But basically you need somebody who can set a pick at whatever size and somebody who can defend and someone who can switch and all that stuff. Yeah, that's.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think that's going to be kind of the prototype of like, NBA basketball too. So.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, moving on. We got a lot. Oh, God. Describe the player the Celtics need most. Seven footer.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Al Horford. A seven footer who can shoot Al Horford. But they need a center. The type of player the Celtics need most is a center.

[B]

A tall guy.

[A]

Tall guy who can give you 30 good minutes. Is he already on the roster?

[B]

Starting quality center is what they need really, really badly.

[A]

A starting quality center. Can Namish Keda rise to that occasion? Or, you know, like, I'm skeptical.

[B]

I am skeptical.

[A]

I'm gonna give them a chance, but that's what they need. They need a big. Okay, moving on. Where were the simpler questions? We ran through all of them. Favorite late 90s, early 2000s Celtics players. Late 90s, early 2000s.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Ryan Gomes comes to mind because I was, I was when. When they were making the Kevin Garnett trade. And one of my early, My early claim to fame was being against the Garnett trade when it happened. I'm glad I didn't have the notoriety that I have now because I didn't get aggregated back then. I was the aggregator back then. Right, Right.

[B]

You would never hear the end of it if that was.

[A]

Oh, my God. It would go right up with that Celtics blog post about how Derek White trade is the worst trade of all time. But to my credit, I immediately, as soon as it, like, it didn't even need to hit the court. As soon as I saw Pierce Garnett and Ray Allen at the, at the introductory press conference, I was like, oh, yeah, never mind. This is gonna be awesome. Part of the reason was I loved. I loved Ryan Gomes. I just thought he was like the perfect role player. I just loved him. And it hadn't. Maybe had a little something to do that he went to Providence College, but.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, I mean, so I, I've. I I. I was pretty young at the time. I. But I would say Antoine Walker. I mean, I was. I was a big answer guy. And like, you know, I think that I've always really enjoyed his. Like, why do you shoot threes? Because there are no fear. Like, I mean, you know, that's how I modeled my game. So, yeah, you know, it's a pretty stock answer. But, you know, Antoine was. Was a favorite of mine.

[A]

Absolutely. I mean, you every. Paul. Paul Pierce, right. Walter McCarthy. Walter. I love Walter. Is there anybody else? I mean, Tony Bati for saving Paul Pierce's life?

[B]

Sure. Yeah. Right, sure. You know, I mean, I like the guys who, like, I. I like, knew how to say their name when I was a kid. Like, you know, Dino Raja. I was very proud of myself for.

[A]

Knowing how, you know, Raja. I love Dino. Man, what a he. He was the wrong. Wrong time.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And I'll just leave it at that. All right. Okay, moving on. Who makes the most three pointers this season for the Celtics?

[B]

Peyton Pritchard.

[A]

Yeah, I think that's the choice.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I think. I think Derek White's gonna have to drive more, and I think they're gonna. Defense is going to run them off the line a little bit.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't think Jalen, like, they're gonna have to drive more. They are gonna have to drive more. And who. Who's gonna drive the most?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think, yeah, if Pritchard starts especially. Yeah, he's the answer because it's gonna be a lot of driving kick.

[B]

That's what I was gonna say. Dark horse is Anthony Simons.

[A]

I was. Yeah, he was gonna be my next choice.

[B]

That dude can. That dude can.

[A]

He can.

[B]

He can really shoot the thing.

[A]

But, you know, three more cards on the serious ones. I'm going to get through some of the silly ones, I guess. Okay. All right. This season's wish list.

[B]

In terms of, like, results.

[A]

Yeah, well, whatever. Yeah, put it. Results, internal results, win results. I'm gonna say my wish list is that Jason Tatum does indeed come back.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And these guys actually get meaningful time. I don't care. I honestly, I don't care about the playoffs. I just. My wish is that these guys all get meaningful time with Tatum. Like, if they split the season half and half to be perfect.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, Jalen gets his run. He gets to prove what he needs to prove, and, you know, he gets. He starts piling up his numbers, he can make his all star case. I think it's important for him to. To make that All NBA case early and then kind of cruise into the end and then. And then you get like the Tatum stuff you can figure out. And then, because then you get to the trade deadline, you go, okay, Luca Garza, for example, that's not gonna work, you know, and you. Or it works perfectly and you make a different move. Like, I just want them to figure that stuff out. So that's my wish list.

[B]

Yeah. I think for me, the wish list that I would. The big lit one on mine would just be like, I want to be able to see by the end of the season what the plan is for the next couple of years. I understand that in the new modern NBA, like, you know, your plan isn't like, you're not doing these, like, 10 year. Okay. Like, you know, Danger Cart figured out in, you know, 1998 that they were going to get Kevin Durant in 2016. Like, I know that you're not going to be able to do that anymore, but I would, like, it would be nice to kind of be able to see a little bit better. What, like, okay, how are you going to try to maximize the prime of Jason T. Tatum over the next three years? I think, like, more than, I mean, yeah, like, the playoffs are going to be what the playoffs are. Who knows? But like, to be able to see kind of going forward, like, okay, this is, this is what they're aiming for, I think would be.

[A]

All right, two more. This should be good. Bill Walton, not one of the top 36 men ever. Was that. Was there a ranking that was recently? Because I think, okay, here's the reason why he wouldn't be on this list is because no one thinks of him as a six man other than people in Boston. People in Boston see him as that six man for that one year, and that was a great year for him. But Bill Walton, I think if you recognize him as one of the best six men ever, you're. You're kind of underselling what his career, who he was. Correct.

[B]

I agree. Yes.

[A]

Much like people don't talk about Kevin McHale as a six man either, you know, and. But he was for a while, so I think that would be why he's not on the list and tuning out. Joe Missoula is our last card, and it should be last because I don't think that's been happening. I think this came in early. If you heard Jason Tatum talking about Joe Missoula, that he was gushing about Joe Missoula, and I don't think that was just, oh, I'm on tv. I got to say nice things. Like we said yesterday, there's a way to say things, and then there's a definitive way to say things, and he was pretty definitive. I love Joe to death. He's a great coach. All that's like. That's not just lip service. No, they. These guys, I'd say, by and large, I'm gonna leave a little wiggle room because nothing's ever unanimous. These guys, they love Joe Missoula. He. He's. He's really good at this job, especially, like, connecting with guys.

[B]

Yep. No, I. I don't have any. I don't have anything to add to that. I agree completely.

[A]

Okay, we've got four cars. We're at the end. Tom, we have four cards left. These are a little bit more fun. All right. Okay, let's go. Not your non. All star, all star team. Celtics who are. Aren't all stars. Who would be on your all star team? Like, like all timers, Like Derek, anybody? Derrick White. Geez, I gotta think of who hasn't been an all star. That's a tough one to do. Like, there are a bunch of guys who've made one.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Our team. God, this is tough. I'm not gonna get this question.

[B]

We might have to postpone that one to closer to the all star break or something.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

A topic because. Yeah, that's a. That's a tough question. There's a lot of guys who have been really good players who haven't necessarily made an all star team.

[A]

Yeah. I don't know. Like. But I think Derek White's the captain of that team.

[B]

Yes. I think, unquestionably. Yeah.

[A]

Okay, we're gonna. We are gonna table that one because it's too long. There's a lot. A lot of ums and Oz there. Yeah, the greatest. Oh, that guy since the Paul Pierce era. The guy that you're like, oh, yeah, that guy played on this team.

[B]

The greatest one.

[A]

The greatest one since the Paul Pierce era. So we're going 19. When did Pierce get traded? They.

[B]

That was 2012, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No, no, 13. 13.

[A]

Was it? Okay. Yeah. So he was on the 12. 13. So it was the summer of 13.

[B]

2013, which is when they drafted Kelly Olenek, a. A guy, you know.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Oh, that guy.

[A]

Like. Oh, yeah, he played for the Celtics. Like Leandro Barboza.

[B]

That guy played for the Celtics.

[A]

That guy played for the Celtics.

[B]

He did.

[A]

Chris Humphries.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I. I.

[B]

Very famous person who played for the Celtics.

[A]

Yeah. Trying to think. Did you know Evan Turner? Played for the Celtics.

[B]

He's. No, he's made that. He's made that abundantly clear. Oh, here's. Okay, here. Okay, here's a couple. Jameer Nelson played for the Celtics.

[A]

Yeah, briefly, that one season.

[B]

Yep. I mean, Gerald Wallace is a funny one. Obviously.

[A]

I'm drawing a blank. I'm drawing a complete blank. He was here for, like, two weeks, and he became, like, Brad Stevens best friend, man. Totally drawing a blank.

[B]

While you're doing that, I'll. I'll toss out one more from the 2014-15 team of Gigi Datomi.

[A]

Love Gigi.

[B]

If you remember a guy that was a guy. Yeah. Oh.

[A]

Who.

[B]

Who was the guy who. No, was it. Was it Evan Turner who became, like, really good friends with, like, Brad's. Like. Like, kids, even?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, God. He used to play for the Pistons. I always forget his name. He played for the Pistons. Big skinny guy. And then Tayshawn. Tayshawn Prince. That's right. Tayshawn Prince played for the Celtics for, like, a week or two.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then I saw him at summer league, just hanging out with Brad Stevens the next day. You know, like. Like, sitting there, he's like, yeah, whatever. Just becoming like, they became best friends. But yeah, Tayshawn Prince. That's the guy. That's my answer.

[B]

You go. Good one.

[A]

Okay. What number on a Celtics jersey would make you sick?

[B]

Would make me sick.

[A]

What number on a Celtics jersey would make you sick? I can't think of a number that would make me sick.

[B]

I mean, listen, a lot of numbers in, like, the 50s and 60s kind of look kind of like, I don't have one. I don't have a number that would make me, like. Like, I don't have, like, a reason beyond just, like, aesthetics, But I don't. Like 50s and 60s.

[A]

Yeah, something in the 80s, I guess.

[B]

See? But, like, I don't know, like. But you could do, like, in, you know, like. Like an 87 or something like that. That doesn't. 87 wouldn't look terrible, I guess.

[A]

Have they.

[B]

Triple digits would make me kind of.

[A]

No, there's. There's never been a 78. 79. 80 through 85. Never been in 87. Never been in 89, 92, 95, and that's it. So Evan Fournier wore 94 at one point. Okay, I'll tell you what. If they ever. Unretired six.

[B]

Oh, there you go.

[A]

If they cleared out the numbers and someone wore number six like some. They should still never put that up. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, good answer. Yep.

[A]

That's the one. You have no way to do this, I don't think. But finally, Celtics player, Simpsons comps go crazy, man. I. This is another one where I feel like I need time to. Okay. But. All right, so let's. Jalen Brown is. You know what?

[B]

He.

[A]

I can't. I can't. God.

[B]

A big part of the problem here is that the Simpsons like Homer notoriously a doofus. Right. And there's nobody on the Celtics who's a doofus.

[A]

Right? There's nobody. Okay, so, like, who. Who would be Homer? There'd be. There's no kind of like, like, even well meaning doofus on this team. Maybe Grant Williams at one point, you know, I would have put.

[B]

But that also implied. But Homer's also, like, stupid, like Grant.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Pretty smart. Like.

[A]

Right, right. And so, like, there would be no Marge. I don't think there's no. Like, who's Bartley's. There's no. The Simpsons are not a good place to. To make comps. I have to really think about this hard. There's no part.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because there's no way Walsh. He doesn't scream Bart Simpson to me.

[B]

No.

[A]

None of these guys. This team does not, like, scream the Simpsons to me. It. I can't even think of a sitcom where there would be player comps like this is. And mostly because this has been the most boring, buttoned up team. There's no, like, none of these guys have, like this big, flowery type of personality where I'm like, okay, this guy is like more reclusive and dry humor. This guy is more like, out there like that, that doesn't like. Derek White has a little bit of a personality that he shows behind the scenes. But most. Mostly these guys are, like, buttoned up, dry, and that's it. Give me, like a PBS documentary like the McNeil Lehrer News Hour. I'll do comps on that. You know, NBC's Meet the Press. I'll do comps on that. Because this team is just very straightforward. Nothing. You know what I mean? Like, give me. Give me some personalities. So I'm looking forward to this year. I want to know what Luca Gars is about. I want to know Anthony Simon's about. Give me. Give me somebody that's going to talk. Where. Where are my guys? Where's my MOOC Morris? Where's. Where is the. Evan Turner?

[B]

Where's our MOOC Morris? I.

[A]

You know what I mean?

[B]

Yeah, I do. I do. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah. I don't know. Is. Yeah. Luca Garza is, you know, Minot. Like, do they have, like, they have personalities at all? Are these guys. I don't know. Maybe.

[A]

Yeah, I'll revisit that later. And that's it. Tom, we did it. We tend. We went to the blank card. Okay, thank you everybody for getting us.

[B]

Sorry to anybody whose card we left for today because you definitely did not get a satisfactory answer today.

[A]

I feel like, I feel like we probably should have rapid fired more of them.

[B]

We should have. We really set ourselves, really set ourselves up for this. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. All right, well, I think I, I've enjoyed Flashcard Friday. Yeah, I have too, I think. And then we did it on Thursday. Today began again because of the ownership press conference on Thursday afternoon. But this was fun. And look, it's very helpful this off season from everybody. Shout out to people who gave us topics because my brain wasn't working as well as these cards on some nights. So thank you all. Thank you, Tom.

[B]

Appreciate you, man.

[A]

I always appreciate Tom Westerholm. I do appreciate, like, seriously, all of these questions. Some of these that were like, you know, I couldn't, couldn't quite maybe off the top of my head, like something. Not all freestyles are bangers. So that's, you know, it is what it is. But thank you all so much again. Tomorrow is Bill Chisholm. I will play you clips. I will be asking questions. You'll hear them, you'll hear the answers. So that's tomorrow. So make sure you're subscribed. Wherever you get your podcasts, get into the comments section, share your thoughts and then share the podcast with your friends, family, everybody. Tell them they should be listening to and watching the lockdown. Sell this podcast here on the Lockdown Podcast Network. It's your team every day. When it comes to reducing carbon emissions, the heaviest industries face the toughest challenges. That's where we come in. ExxonMobil is investing in technology to help American industry lower its emissions, including in our own operations, all while empowering businesses and creating job opportunities. It turns out that fewer emissions can mean a stronger economy. ExxonMobil, let's deliver my dog. Max loves chewing on my favorite pair of shoes almost as much as he loves his Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula Dry dog food. Seriously, he never leaves a crumb.

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