Locked On Celtics – "Candy" Win Over Memphis & Need for More Neemias Queta?

Host: John Karalis
Guest: Tom Westerholm
Date: November 14, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Karalis welcomes Tom Westerholm to break down the Boston Celtics’ blowout win over the depleted Memphis Grizzlies. The hosts debate what, if anything, can truly be learned from such an easy matchup, coining it a “candy” win for its lack of nutritional value. They discuss the continued development of younger players, with deep dives on Neemias Queta’s evolving role at center and Jordan Walsh’s potential “emergence.” The conversation blends analysis, humor, and Celtics fandom while tackling the big question: What do these feel-good moments mean for the team’s growth and playoff aspirations?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Down the Blowout: The “Candy” Win

Segment: 03:13-11:38

• The Celtics dominated a Grizzlies squad so undermanned that Karalis joked the press could have subbed in. Both hosts agree wins like this are mostly about feeling good rather than learning much about the team’s true potential.
• Tom Westerholm:

  “It was candy... you know, it doesn’t really do anything for you. Doesn’t have any real nutritional value. But you know what? I don’t know, man, sometimes it’s Halloween. Sometimes you just need to have some candy.” (05:07)

• Karalis and Westerholm note that it is valuable for struggling players like Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard to see shots fall and regain confidence, even if the quality of the opponent is low.
• Karalis stresses that sometimes, for any competitor, feeling “like yourself” for even one night can break out of a mental funk—something both White and Pritchard seemed to experience.

  “You need that reminder, that reward… it’s good to see them execute, maybe against the better teams... they won’t be executing as well, but just to see it, recognize it, complete it—just like, good, you did it. Nice.” (06:08)

• Restating the idea:

  “That win was as important as any other win this season just for that reason.” (11:19)

Notable Quote

• “Sometimes you need to dangle a little piece of chocolate... Like the Celtics, I thought... those were shots the Celtics were missing. So maybe the process of getting those shots was a little bit easier. But I’m just happy that those shots ended up falling.”
  — John Karalis (06:03)

2. Neemias Queta: Ready for More?

Segment: 15:57-23:40

• Karalis, a self-described Queta skeptic, thinks both he and the Celtics need to find more ways to utilize Queta’s growing passing and improved basketball awareness—especially in short roll situations (i.e., catching the ball off screens before reaching the rim).
• Queta still struggles to stop and make decisions in the short roll—he is often “too out of control.” Improving this could let the Celtics run more versatile offense and create easier shots.
• John Karalis:

  “If he can do that and the Celtics can trust him in the short roll, you can run an offense that gets it to him, that he passes to, then he now relocates—dunker spot, goes and sets another pick. I think that can really free up a lot in their offense.” (16:46)

• Tom Westerholm:

  “He has such a better sense of what to do, how to move, where to be— it’s significantly better... If you can find Neemi, like, he shoots like seven of eight frequently. The shots that he scores are so easy... His shots are super easy and, you know, easy offense is good.” (17:38)

• There’s optimism that with improvement controlling his body and making quick reads, Queta could either become a dependable backup or even, as Karalis puts it, “an incredible number two for the Celtics if he does all of these things.” (23:22)

Notable Quote

• “Against the good teams, it’s going to be too much to ask Jalen to always get by his man... Get into that short roll and make a quick pass.”
  — John Karalis (19:54)

3. Emerging Talent: Is Jordan Walsh’s Breakthrough Real?

Segment: 27:05-34:38

• Discussion shifts to the pattern of “emerging” young Celtics, with Karalis wondering if Jordan Walsh’s strong play is the “real” deal or another tease.
• Tom Westerholm:

  “I think this one sticks... With Jordan Walsh, there is a defensive presence that is really specific... You put [him] on Tyrese Maxey, and [Walsh] makes his life hell for an important part of the game.” (28:14)

• Walsh’s defensive impact—particularly his ability to slow down elite scorers—sets him apart compared to other prospects.

  “Cleaning the Glass: Jordan Walsh, 116 possessions, real small sample size, but plus 20.6 in the on/off. That’s 94th percentile, second best on the team behind Keda. The answer: only play Keda and Walsh.” (29:09, Westerholm)

• Karalis is cautiously optimistic and would like to see more consistency and strong showings against top competition before fully believing in Walsh’s breakthrough.

  “Right now, he’s making the most of it. I want to see it again... I want to see it five, six, seven more times. And if he’s still this good, then great. I want to see it against better teams.” (32:54)

4. Celtics’ Big Picture: Depth, Confidence, and the Grind

• Both hosts share the view that games like this are critical for maintaining team morale and giving fringe players a true opportunity. With the NBA’s “second apron” salary restrictions and injuries, unexpected contributors like Queta and Walsh can be season-shaping.
• There’s a clear sense that while nothing from this “candy” win is decisive, the Celtics are building something that could matter later—especially if young role players seize their moments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was candy... it doesn’t really do anything for you. Doesn’t have any real nutritional value. But you know what? Sometimes it’s Halloween. Sometimes you just need to have some candy.”
  — Tom Westerholm, on the Grizzlies win (05:07)

• “His defense is like, outlier enough that I’m like, I think that what we’re seeing here is kind of an emergence.”
  — Tom Westerholm, about Jordan Walsh (30:13)

• “I want to see it five, six, seven more times. And if he’s still this good, then great. I want to see it against better teams...”
  — John Karalis, on whether Walsh is for real (33:08)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:13 | Start of “candy” win analysis & confidence talk | | 09:16 | On Pritchard’s haircut as a change-of-routine metaphor | | 15:57 | Deep dive: Neemias Queta’s development and fit | | 17:38 | Westerholm’s thoughts on Queta’s growth and role | | 19:44 | Why the Celtics’ offense often looks so hard | | 23:40 | “Queta can be an incredible number two for the Celtics” | | 27:05 | Is Jordan Walsh’s “emergence” real or a mirage? | | 29:09 | Walsh’s impact by advanced stats | | 30:13 | Westerholm “all-in” on Jordan Walsh’s development | | 32:54 | Karalis wants more proof from Walsh against stronger foes |

Tone & Style Notes

• Playful, self-deprecating humor: The hosts make vintage wrestling and basketball references, often poking fun at themselves—“I'm a man of the people, Tom. I don’t have that kind of, you know, money to throw around... I’m just a common man” (11:57).
• Candid Celtics passion with analytical grounding: The conversation blends insider observation with advanced stats (plus/minus, on/off data), always in an accessible, conversational style.
• Encouragement for listeners to “ride the roller coaster” with young players, even as seasoned analysts remain (justifiably) skeptical.

Final Takeaways

• The Celtics’ blowout of an undermanned Grizzlies team is a “candy” win—a morale booster with little evaluative weight.
• Neemias Queta’s improved awareness hints at a bigger role, provided he sharpens his passing and body control.
• Jordan Walsh’s unique defense could make his emergence “real,” but the hosts want more evidence before declaring him a mainstay.
• These games are key for building depth and giving young players meaningful growth opportunities in a long NBA season.

For complete Celtics coverage, catch John Karalis on Locked On Celtics every weekday!