Locked On Celtics Episode Summary
Episode Title: How did Boston Celtics Defense & Rebounding Get SO GOOD?
Date: February 24, 2026
Host: John Corrales (with guest Tom Wester)
Episode Overview
This episode examines how the Boston Celtics have transformed their two main preseason weaknesses—defense and rebounding—into major strengths. Host John Corrales and guest Tom Wester break down the key contributors, coaching decisions, and cultural changes behind the Celtics' remarkable improvement. The discussion covers standout defensive performances, surprising rebounding statistics, the growth of less-heralded players, and the strong case for Joe Mazzulla as Coach of the Year.
Key Topics & Takeaways
1. Turning Weaknesses into Strengths: Defense & Rebounding
[01:12 – 05:24]
- Preseason concerns were focused on the Celtics’ defense and rebounding, particularly with frontcourt depth.
- Instead, Boston has flipped the narrative, now ranking among the best in both areas.
John Corrales:
“The Celtics’ biggest weaknesses are now their biggest strengths... The defense isn’t a weakness right now. The rebounding isn’t a weakness right now.” [01:12]
2. The Central Role of Derrick White & Defensive Depth
[05:44 – 08:18]
- Derrick White: Despite a poor shooting season, he’s been a defensive anchor.
- White is in the 98th percentile for defensive on/off impact and deserves All-Defensive First Team.
- Team-wide: Players like Sam Hauser, Baylor Shireman, Jordan Walsh, and Hugo Gonzalez are major contributors, with everyone accepting tough defensive assignments.
Tom Wester:
“When you’ve got a guy like [Derrick White] of that kind of defensive quality… just being able to build from that makes such a big difference.” [07:23]
Notable Statistic:
- Baylor Shireman held Luka Dončić to 3-of-8 shooting and one assist in 7 minutes of matchup time. [08:00]
3. The Namiash Keita Effect & Depth Contributions
[08:18 – 13:37]
- Keita has been a “monster” defending the rim—elevating the team’s interior presence.
- Even players dismissed or doubted preseason have stepped up defensively.
- Virtually everyone who gets minutes is making a defensive impact; depth underpins the team’s resurgence.
John Corrales:
“The reason... the Celtics defense is as good as it is is that everybody that we kind of dismissed has stepped up and played great defense at some point.” [08:33]
4. Rebounding: From Liability to League Leader
[14:08 – 16:45]
- Previous hope was "just don’t be 30th" in rebounding—now, the Celtics are #1 in defensive rebounding in February (74.7%).
- Jalen Brown has notably stepped up as a rebounder.
- The team rebounds, defends, scores efficiently, and protects the ball: “no weaknesses” at the moment.
Tom Wester:
“We said, please don’t be 30th. If you could be, like, 23rd, that would be, like, helpful, right?” [15:09]
John Corrales:
"74.7% in seven February games. That is number one. Number one in the league. Defensive rebounding. That is just incredible." [15:43]
5. Joe Mazzulla and Celtics Culture
[16:45 – 24:02]
- Mazzulla’s development as a coach is compared favorably with Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat.
- Celtics' culture is now cited as a real, on-court force—players are mature, selfless, and drama-free.
- Mazzulla is credited for consistent results, player development, and team resilience regardless of injuries.
John Corrales:
“Very consistently, the Celtics have been at the top regardless of who’s been in or out… The Celtics almost always find a way to make it go their way.” [19:35]
Tom Wester:
“It now kind of just applies to the Celtics... They’ve built a culture.” [17:55]
- Both hosts strongly support Mazzulla as a Coach of the Year front-runner.
- The team’s “adult” competitive culture is driving their systematic dominance.
6. Center Rotation: Keita vs. Vuč (Nikola Vucevic)
[26:02 – 33:33]
- Discussion about the center situation—Keda vs. Vucevic—as both have claims to starting or bench roles.
- There’s flexibility: both bigs will likely be played situationally.
- Vucevic is praised for his offensive dynamism, movement, and ability to elevate the Celtics’ pick-and-roll attack.
- Brad Stevens’ savvy roster moves are noted (“should have been obvious that this was going to work”).
- Hosts admit that recent history—especially from Stevens and Mazzulla—means their decisions are almost always vindicated in hindsight.
Tom Wester:
“He [Vucevic] knows my job is to set a screen and then move… Busevic is a threat… all this energy on the offensive end that I just think is very impressive and is going to really, really make a big difference.” [29:26]
John Corrales:
“If I said something and Brad does something different, I'm like, well, that's my— I was wrong. Everything I've ever believed about this guy.” [32:01]
7. Humility and Trust in Leadership
[33:33 – end]
- Corrales recounts preseason conversations with Mazzulla about the team’s ceiling, admitting skepticism about a 50-win season.
- Both hosts conclude that Celtics coaches and management consistently prove doubters wrong, reinforcing trust in their process and decisions.
John Corrales:
“It’s been proven time and time again that when my opinion differs from theirs, I’m the one that’s wrong.” [35:49]
Tom Wester:
“You know what? So are Vucevic and Keda also very good at their jobs? So it’s gonna work out.” [36:11]
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “The Celtics’ biggest weaknesses are now their biggest strengths.” — John Corrales [01:12]
- “Derrick White... is an all defensive first team player and deserves that completely.” — Tom Wester [07:04]
- “You said it before... this is a team with all of a sudden, no weaknesses.” — John Corrales [15:54]
- “Joe Missoula is the coach of the year. This is incredible stuff… They’ve built a culture.” — Tom Wester [17:49]
- “There is no right answer, but Joe Missoula is the answer.” — Tom Wester [23:49]
- “If I said something and Brad does something different, I’m like, well, that’s my— I was wrong. Everything I’ve ever believed about this guy.” — John Corrales [32:01]
- “It’s been proven time and time again that when my opinion differs from theirs, I’m the one that’s wrong.” — John Corrales [35:49]
Important Timestamps and Segments
- [01:12] — Framing the Celtics’ transformation: Weaknesses to strengths
- [05:44] — Derrick White’s defensive anchor role
- [08:33] — The rise of depth defenders and Keita’s impact
- [14:08] — Shocking rebounding improvement and league rankings
- [16:45] — Making the Coach of the Year case for Mazzulla; cultural shift
- [26:02] — Center rotation debate: Keita vs. Vucevic
- [33:33] — Humility, trust in leadership, and post-mortem on preseason doubts
Conclusion
This episode paints a compelling portrait of a Celtics team redefined by unselfishness, defensive grit, rebounding, and a powerful, drama-free culture. Derrick White leads a deep supporting cast anchoring the league’s top defense, while Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens draw frequent praise for sustained excellence. Humility, trust, and mature leadership emerge as central Celtic hallmarks, leaving even seasoned beat writers in awe—and, occasionally, at a humorous loss for words.
For Celtics fans and NBA observers, this episode serves as both a celebration and an education in how great basketball organizations evolve, adapt, and consistently win.