Podcast Summary: Locked On Celtics

Episode: How Boston Celtics OFFENSE Outsmarts NBA Defenses – Jaylen Brown, Derrick White Impact Revealed
Date: December 11, 2025
Host: John Karalis
Guest: Nick Land (Celtics Blog, Twitter: @NickNDayt)

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Karalis welcomes analyst Nick Land to dive deep into the Boston Celtics’ offensive system. With the team surprising many at 15-9 and boasting the NBA’s second-best offense, the discussion centers around what’s working, how the coaching staff outsmarts defenses, and the crucial development of key players like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. The pair also explore how the Celtics maximize an imperfect roster and what could elevate the offense further.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Injury Update: Amari Williams

• Amari Williams is out with a hairline fracture in his right hand.
• Despite the injury, he was active in practice, suggesting it may not be severe.
• Nick Land expresses concern, as Williams' passing skills have been notable.

  “Of course, he had the triple, triple, double last game…hopefully he's okay.” (Nick Land, 04:42)

Offensive Structure: Deception & Actions

Disguised Sets and Layered Actions (06:59-08:33)

• The Celtics use a variety of actions layered atop one another to confuse defenses.
• Not a huge reliance on rigid set plays due to transition focus and modern defensive schemes.
• Examples include “horn chess,” “zoom,” “Spain,” and stagger screens.

  “The Celtics have a lot of set—a lot of, like, actions, right? …They do a great job of putting actions on top of actions…all to like, not telegraph it.” (Nick Land, 06:59)

Adjusting to Roster Limitations (09:35-10:42)

• Karalis points out that the offense’s creativity compensates for fewer high-level creators.
• Layered actions create the extra split-second advantage needed for role players.

  “Joe’s coaching prowess…is understanding we don’t have a ton of individual creators anymore. We have to give them the extra step, the extra little opening.” (John Karalis, 09:35)

• Derrick White with an extra step: “Now it becomes infinitely more dangerous.” (John Karalis, 10:42)

Execution & Recent Trends

Improved Shooting and Ball Movement (10:42-13:31)

• Early season: Shots weren’t falling for Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard, but process was good.
• Last 12 games:
  • Jaylen Brown’s passing shines (7.5 assists/game).
  • 3P% jumps from 33% → 41.2%.
  • Offensive rebounding rank rises from 11th to 3rd.
• Jordan Walsh’s inclusion boosts energy and glass presence.

  “It doesn’t mean that [Brown] was not making those plays…if you get a guy half a step or a half a second, that’s all NBA players need to make an advantage.” (Nick Land, 10:42)

Small Ball Lineups and Offensive Rebouding

Speed & Versatility (18:36-21:28)

• Despite being last in pace, Celtics are top-10 in field goal attempts due to offensive rebounding and fast halfcourt actions.
• Small ball with Josh Minott & Jordan Walsh:
  • Enables defensive switching, more cutting, and aggressive glass crashing.
  • Allows for rapid Ball movement and multiple options per possession.
• Example:

  “If Josh and Jordan are your fives and your four…they’re screening and they’re rolling or they’re cutting, that is fast…that works because they have so many options.” (Nick Land, 19:39)

Cutting & Crashing the Rim (21:28-23:11)

• Karalis emphasizes how timely cuts and corner crashes create easy scoring chances.
• The offense’s value lies beyond set plays—movement and effort are key pillars.

  “It’s the cuts, it’s the crashing, it’s the everything. Everything that puts the ball up on the rim gives it a chance to go through.” (John Karalis, 22:41)

Individual Talent & Utilization

The Importance of Role Fit (23:11-24:05)

• Mix of screen-setters (Namiish Keda), creative cutters & crashers, and isolation scorers (Jalen Brown, Peyton Pritchard).
• Missoula is praised for maximizing each player’s skill set, particularly with less elite individual creators.

  “Joe Missoula uses it really, really well.” (John Karalis, 23:57)

Limitations and Areas for Improvement

Where Can the Offense Go from Here? (27:02-29:18)

• Occasionally, the Celtics are slow to attack mismatches, especially in-game lulls.
• Could exploit “killer whale” PnR more regularly against weak defenders.
• Free throw rate remains last in the league:

  “They could get to the free throw line more—they’re 30th in free throw rate. That’ll obviously help if they can get some, some easy ones.” (Nick Land, 28:41)

• Nick Land believes otherwise it’s tough to find many faults.
• Brown is only true foul-drawer; team lacks natural line-drivers beyond him.

Jaylen Brown’s Passing Leap (29:51-35:37)

• Brown: 7.1 FTA/game (career-high), 25% assist rate – also a career-high.

  “He’s a willing passer in a way that I didn’t even expect.” (John Karalis, 32:15) “If he sees help early, I feel like this year he’s giving it up earlier…he’s gonna get the ball back regardless.” (Nick Land, 34:12)

• Brown’s assists often create high-value three-point looks.

The Missoula Ball Philosophy

Generating Advantages

• Missoula’s approach prioritizes creating and quickly exploiting advantages, not just launching threes.

  “People think it’s threes…It’s all about creating that advantage. What’s the next right play?” (John Karalis, 32:55)

• Jalen’s unselfishness fuels this framework; shooters now capitalize at high rates.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On how deception works in their offense:

  "They do a great job of putting actions on top of actions…it's all to not telegraph it."
  (Nick Land, 06:59)

• On the improvement without elite creators:

  "When you don’t have a ton of individual creators anymore…give them the extra opening."
  (John Karalis, 09:35)

• On Brown's evolution:

  "He's a willing passer in a way that I didn't even expect."
  (John Karalis, 32:15)

• Nick on young players' impact:

  “Josh Minott and Jordan Walsh…are two of the most versatile defenders in this league.”
  (Nick Land, 19:39)

• On free throw limitations:

  "It’s just like I had to pick something of this great."
  (Nick Land, 31:06)

Important Timestamps

• Start of basketball content/deep dive: 01:43
• Amari Williams injury & passing: 04:18–05:26
• Discussion of set plays & deception: 06:59–08:33
• Why creativity is needed this year: 09:35–10:42
• Stats turnaround: last 12 games: 10:42–13:31
• Small ball/energy lineups: 18:36–21:28
• Karalis on cutting & crashing: 21:28–23:11
• Improving offense: what’s next?: 27:02–29:18
• Free throws & player limitations: 29:51–31:53
• Jaylen Brown’s passing leap: 31:53–35:37

Conclusion

This episode delivers a rich X’s & O’s look at the Celtics’ offense, blending tactical discussion—such as layered actions, small-ball energy, and adjustments to the roster—with the personal development of stars like Jaylen Brown. The hosts agree Joe Mazzulla expertly customizes his schemes to maximize each player’s unique skill set, leading to significant early-season success. There’s cautious optimism for further improvement as shooting normalizes, but more free throws are an elusive goal. Jalen’s all-around growth, especially as a passer, stands out as a season-defining theme.

Follow Nick Land (@NickNDayt) for in-game breakdowns and Celtics blog content.