Locked On Celtics: Celtics DOMINATE Grizzlies in Preseason Opener | Gonzalez, Minott IMPRESSIVE

Host: John Karalis, Locked On Podcast Network
Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Boston Celtics’ dominant preseason opener against a depleted Memphis Grizzlies team. Host John Karalis analyzes how the Celtics delivered on promises of faster pace and aggressive defense, breaks down stand-out performances by Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, camp hopefuls (Luka Garza, Josh Minott, Hugo Gonzalez), and evaluates team weaknesses—especially on the defensive glass. While Karalis remains cautious not to overreact given the opponent, he highlights positive takeaways and key concerns heading into the season.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Examine how the Celtics implemented promised adjustments, specifically playing with more pace and aggression.
• Highlight impressive individual performances, especially from young and fringe roster players.
• Analyze persistent challenges, notably defensive rebounding.
• Set measured expectations, given the incomplete rosters and preseason context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celtics Deliver on Promises of Pace and Aggression

• Faster Pace:
  • “Their pace was at 106, 106 possessions per 48 minutes...about eight more than they had per game last year.” (03:39)
  • 17 fast break points (would rank 7th last year; up from 12).
• Aggressive Defense:
  • “They had 13 steals. They averaged less than eight last year...guys were a little bit more aggressive going for those steals.” (04:04)
• Quote:
  • “When the team says we want to do something and they come out and they do it...great, then that's how it's supposed to go.” (05:36)

2. Competition Context: Depleted Grizzlies

• Memphis was missing key stars (Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., KCP, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, others).
• “I'm not going to make too big of a thing of like, oh wow, they came out and they ran...all the best Grizzlies sat for the most part.” (03:27)

3. Starting Lineup & Rotations

• Odd lineup: Jalen Brown, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman.
  • Not all regulars played—Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Neemias Queta rested.
• Karalis cautions not to read too much into preseason rotations:
  • “Not gonna read anything into this starting lineup because this won’t be the starting lineup.” (06:57)

4. Notable Individual Performances

Jaylen Brown

• 21 points at halftime, 6/13 FG, 3/6 3PT, 6/8 FT.
• “The most impressive thing from Jaylen for me was the eight free throws that he took...the aggressiveness is part of it.” (13:02)
• Quote:
  • “Jalen was in mid-season form...mid-range, getting to the rim, three-point shooting, three levels.” (14:23)
• Got into a double technical after being grabbed—shows fire/competitiveness.

Derrick White

• Double-double: 16 points, 10 assists, also had a steal and two blocks.
• “Derrick did exactly what he was supposed to do...Celtics blocked 10 shots...defensively, really good.” (15:25)

Luka Garza

• 10 points, 10 rebounds (4 offensive), 6/9 FT, strong screens, dirty work.
• “Scal [Brian Scalabrine] was just gushing about the screen setting...he rolled to the basket, he got fouled...he just did a lot of that dirty work.” (17:18)
• “Exactly the type of game they need from him.” (17:57)

Josh Minott

• 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block—little offense, big impact.
• “He did not shoot well, the three-point shot did not look good for Josh, but everything else looked great...getting in there being disruptive.” (18:33)
• Notable play: alley-oop assist to Xavier Tillman.
• Nicknamed a “stocks god” for defensive rates (stocks = steals + blocks).

Hugo Gonzalez

• 3 blocks, 1 steal, dynamic energy, impressive instincts.
• “He was really good...there are some guys, you can just see it in the way they move, you can see it in the decisions they make, you can see it in their instincts. I think Gonzalez is a hit. I think he's a hit.” (24:39)
• Emphasized patience with his role due to age (19), cultural and language adaptation needs.
• “I want to see him play 38 to 40 minutes [...] develop at the right pace.” (25:38)
• Notable moment: huge dunk after a steal, hands “as big as Tacko Fall’s” (26:22)

Others

• Sam Hauser: hit a tough corner 3, but otherwise quiet.
• Chris Boucher: energy, 11 points, 1/6 3PT but 4/5 FT.
• Jordan Walsh: groin tightness, limited minutes but showed flashes.

5. Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the overall vibe:
  • “When I say impressed with this team, I'm not, like, overreacting...that little frowny face kind of nod—like, okay, alright, I got you. Nice. Impressive.” (09:38)
• On Gonzalez’s potential:
  • “I'm very willing to declare him a hit already just because I think...he's going to develop into a really good player.” (26:25)

6. Team Weakness: Defensive Rebounding

• Defensive rebounding percentage: 66.1% (would rank last in NBA by a full percentage point).
• “That is not good. It's especially not good because they were playing half the Grizzlies.” (29:50)
• Issue is compounded by lack of natural rebounders—wings must contribute.
• “Jalen needs to get three or four a game. Sam needs to get, you know, two, three, four a game...because the bigs aren't going to be able to do it themselves.” (31:30)
• Joe Mazzulla (coach) called a timeout after terrible rebounding sequence; tried to deflect postgame.

7. Offensive Rebounding & Second Chance Points

• Celtics had 17 offensive rebounds (“a big focus for these guys”) and won second-chance points 22-19.
• “Even if it’s affected by playing a decimated Grizzlies team…offensive rebounding was really good.” (32:01)
• Need to translate offensive board focus to defensive glass for regular-season success.

8. Shot Selection & Three-Point Shooting

• Took 53 three-pointers, hit 15.
• Context: many fired by camp hopefuls in the second half—not a concern for regular games.
• “More than anything, I wasn't concerned about any of the three pointers that they took, especially in the first half...” (34:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Main takeaways on pace/aggression: 03:10 – 04:35
• Celtics implementing game plan (steals, fast breaks): 04:00 – 05:00
• Lineups and rotation cautions: 06:30 – 08:00
• Jaylen Brown and Derrick White performances: 12:30 – 16:00
• Luka Garza analysis: 17:10 – 18:18
• Josh Minott spotlight: 18:30 – 19:30
• Hugo Gonzalez breakdown: 24:39 – 27:26
• Defensive rebounding woes: 29:45 – 32:20
• Offensive rebounding & overall recap: 32:01 – 34:50

Summary & Final Thoughts

• The Celtics executed on preseason promises of playing faster and with more aggression, leading to a dominant, if contextually modest, preseason win.
• Jaylen Brown and Derrick White looked in mid-season form; camp hopefuls like Garza, Minott, and especially Hugo Gonzalez flashed intriguing upside.
• Big concern is glaring: defensive rebounding must improve before facing full-strength teams.
• Karalis encourages patience with Gonzalez’s development and moderates overreaction due to Memphis' weakened lineup.
• Outlook: Encouraging early signs, but real tests and adjustments are still to come.