Locked On Celtics – "Naughty or Nice: Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens, and Jaylen Brown Dominate Early Season Surprises"
Date: December 25, 2025
Host: John Karalis (Boston Sports Journal)
Guest: Tom Westerholm
Episode Overview
On this special Christmas Day episode of "Locked On Celtics," John Karalis and returning guest Tom Westerholm celebrate the season with a playful Celtics-focused "Naughty and Nice" list. The episode explores the standout pleasant surprises and disappointments of the early NBA season for the Boston Celtics, dives into the broader Eastern Conference narratives, and debates what has made this year’s Celtics team and key players so impactful or underwhelming. Personalities, on-court trends, and lasting frustrations are dissected with a spirited blend of expertise and banter—a perfect companion to Boston fans' holiday routines.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Celtics "Nice List": Boston’s Biggest Standouts
(starting at 04:31)
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Brad Stevens’ Masterclass in Roster Building ([04:31])
- John Karalis opens by praising Stevens for his off-season moves and fringe roster decisions:
“Brad Stevens is, I think, first on a nice list. I think he’s going to get the best gift this year because not only did he draft Hugo Gonzalez ... one of the big storylines from the Celtics this season is how many hits they've had on the fringes.”
—John Karalis, [04:38] - Notes the success of new and developing players: Neemias Queta, Josh Minott, Ugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Luka Garza.
- “Everything has come up Milhouse for Brad Stevens.”
—John Karalis, [05:34]
- John Karalis opens by praising Stevens for his off-season moves and fringe roster decisions:
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Jaylen Brown’s Dominant, Joyful Season
- Tom gives top billing to Jaylen, praising his consistency, MVP chants from the Garden, and joy:
“…the way he’s, like, the game is slowing down and he’s slowing down within the game … he is playing at his own pace, so much better this season ... endlessly impressed.”
—Tom Westerholm, [07:06]-[08:02] - Karalis quantifies the hot streak:
"Seven in a row, and then ... 10 of 11. And the 11th game was a 19 point, 12 rebound, 11 assist triple double. … That’s a heater.”
—John Karalis, [08:15] - Durability and maturity underlined: improved leadership, fun attitude, healthy play.
- “Definitely an All-NBA player this year ... could get a first team All-NBA.”
—John Karalis, [08:38] - Fun note on Jaylen’s durability and his busted shoe, with Tom quipping about Brown’s new shoe brand.
- Tom gives top billing to Jaylen, praising his consistency, MVP chants from the Garden, and joy:
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Joe Mazzulla’s Adaptability and Player Buy-In
- John credits Mazzulla as a strong Coach of the Year candidate, praising his willingness to bench starters mid-game if needed:
“…What a brilliant move … Everybody that he puts in finds a way to contribute. And if they don't, they sit and someone else comes in … and they're all cool with it.”
—John Karalis, [10:31] - Tom highlights the trust the players have in Mazzulla, noting his “genuineness” and unique personality.
- John credits Mazzulla as a strong Coach of the Year candidate, praising his willingness to bench starters mid-game if needed:
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Additional Lightning-Round Shoutouts ([12:42])
- Neemias Queta: Both hosts marvel at his unexpected development and reliable play.
“He’s been so helpful for this team … I expected him to foul out every game by setting moving screens and that has not happened.”
—Tom Westerholm, [12:42] - Bench Youngsters: Minott, Walsh, and others outperforming expectations, giving valuable minutes.
- Hugo Gonzalez: John can’t help but repeat his excitement for the rookie.
- Neemias Queta: Both hosts marvel at his unexpected development and reliable play.
Celtics "Naughty List": Disappointments and Concerns
(starting at 16:45)
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Sam Hauser’s Inconsistency
- Tom laments Hauser’s up-and-down shooting, noting that despite improvement as a defender, his core value is streaky:
“He is either ... shooting 60 or 70 from three or he's shooting 20 from three and then he ends the season shooting 40 ... it's just the swings ... that’s just who he is.”
—John Karalis, [17:58] - Tom empathizes with his former-shooter woes: “I’ve been there ... I feel for him.”
—Tom Westerholm, [19:06]
- Tom laments Hauser’s up-and-down shooting, noting that despite improvement as a defender, his core value is streaky:
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Chris Boucher’s Near-Invisibility
- Both expected more from the late addition. John bluntly assesses:
“[We] kind of thought he might do something. And he isn’t doing anything ... this may just be the end of the road for him.”
—John Karalis, [20:14]
- Both expected more from the late addition. John bluntly assesses:
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Baylor Scheierman: Still Unpolished
- Mixed performances, flashy plays, but questionable consistency and shooting form:
“He does stuff, and you’re just like, oh, this dude’s just not an NBA player ... and then... it goes in and it's like, oh, okay, I, yeah, never mind.”
—Tom Westerholm, [22:09] - John gives coaching-level notes on Scheierman’s shooting mechanics ([24:46]).
- Mixed performances, flashy plays, but questionable consistency and shooting form:
Eastern Conference Naughty & Nice List (Rapid Fire)
(starting at 29:11)
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Nice: Detroit Pistons’ Turnaround
- Tom: “I like so much of their team ... the turnaround story is fun ... I'm a big Detroit fan.”
—Tom Westerholm, [29:11]
- Tom: “I like so much of their team ... the turnaround story is fun ... I'm a big Detroit fan.”
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Naughty: Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls
- John is direct (“Cleveland Cavaliers are frauds” [29:56]), blasting their construction and overreliance on Garland.
- Tom: “The Bulls were always frauds … it’s not going to last. Don’t give me that.” ([31:24])
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Nice: Knicks and Sixers
- Tom commends the Knicks’ strength (“genuinely a good team” [31:55]) and is forced to put the Sixers on the nice list due to the backcourt of Maxey and Edgecombe:
“…Maxey's awesome. Edgecomb is awesome ... really impressive stuff.”
—Tom Westerholm, [32:18]
- Tom commends the Knicks’ strength (“genuinely a good team” [31:55]) and is forced to put the Sixers on the nice list due to the backcourt of Maxey and Edgecombe:
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Naughty: Joel Embiid’s Impact
- John stirs the pot: “I think the Sixers are better without Embiid now because he just changes their entire play style … they are really good ... when they are the show.”
—John Karalis, [33:25]
- John stirs the pot: “I think the Sixers are better without Embiid now because he just changes their entire play style … they are really good ... when they are the show.”
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Spicy Take: OKC Thunder Overhype
- Tom argues that while OKC is legitimately good, the media’s “untouchable” narrative is overstated, challenging recency bias ([34:42]).
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Naughty: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Indecision
- John, as a Greek, vents frustration at Giannis’s inability to be clear about wanting a trade:
“…Either say you want a trade or stay ... It’s OK. We get it. ... It’s hurting the team. Yes, it’s hurting the team.”
—John Karalis, [37:14]
- John, as a Greek, vents frustration at Giannis’s inability to be clear about wanting a trade:
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Special Mention Naughty List: Trae Young
- Extended roast of Young’s attitude and team impact:
“Trey Young is not a number one guy. He’s a number two guy at best. At best … He acts like he won a championship. … You’re never going to win with Trey Young as your best player.”
—John Karalis, [41:18]
- Extended roast of Young’s attitude and team impact:
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Sad Entry: Kristaps Porziņģis’s Likely Career-Ending Illness
- While acknowledging it's not a "naughty" in the moral sense, Tom and John express sympathy:
“I just kind of just want to see him like, feel better and be healthy ... I always want to see guys go out on their own terms … you’ve done a lot in this league, so just ... chill.”
—John Karalis, [42:29-44:00]
- While acknowledging it's not a "naughty" in the moral sense, Tom and John express sympathy:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Jaylen Brown’s Leap:
- “[Jaylen Brown] is playing at his own pace so much better this season. ... there were times in that Indiana game ... where he's playing at a Luka Doncic speed ... I am doing precisely what I want, when I want to do it, how I want to do it, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
—Tom Westerholm, [07:06]
- “[Jaylen Brown] is playing at his own pace so much better this season. ... there were times in that Indiana game ... where he's playing at a Luka Doncic speed ... I am doing precisely what I want, when I want to do it, how I want to do it, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
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On Joe Mazzulla’s Unique Style:
- “He does not have an agenda other than just winning basketball games ... there's a genuineness about [him]."
—Tom Westerholm, [11:47]
- “He does not have an agenda other than just winning basketball games ... there's a genuineness about [him]."
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On Overhype and Perspective:
- “No team is invincible ... I'm sorry, this is not how this works.”
—Tom Westerholm, [36:58]
- “No team is invincible ... I'm sorry, this is not how this works.”
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On Holiday Spirit and Podcasting:
- “We’re perfect for a family get together because you could put it on ... and if you want to ignore us, you can spend time with your families. But if you’ve got that drunk uncle ... just come to us and be like, this is all nice and nice List.”
—John Karalis, [44:55]
- “We’re perfect for a family get together because you could put it on ... and if you want to ignore us, you can spend time with your families. But if you’ve got that drunk uncle ... just come to us and be like, this is all nice and nice List.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 04:31 – Kicking off the Celtics Nice List (Brad Stevens)
- 06:00 – Jaylen Brown’s all-time hot streak and leadership
- 09:55 – Joe Mazzulla’s coaching decisions and buy-in
- 12:42 – Lightning round: Neemias Queta, Minott, Walsh, etc.
- 16:45 – Celtics Naughty List: Sam Hauser, Chris Boucher, Baylor Scheierman
- 29:11 – Eastern Conference rapid-fire Naughty & Nice
- 34:42 – Overhyping the OKC Thunder
- 37:14 – Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future and franchise leadership
- 41:05 – Trey Young rant
- 42:29 – Porziņģis sympathy and player health
Final Tone & Takeaway
The episode captures a playful, irreverent, and honest Boston Celtics dialogue—offering both sharp analysis and genuine personal reflections. Karalis and Westerholm’s friendly rapport ensures the episode brings both laughs and nuanced insights, making it a worthy listen (or read) for Celtics die-hards and NBA fans curious about the pulse of Boston’s locker room and the broader race for Eastern Conference supremacy.
Share the podcast, restart it at your family gathering, and, above all, enjoy the basketball.