Locked On Celtics – Mailbag Monday (September 8, 2025)

Host: John Karalis
Main Topics: Should the Celtics buy TD Garden? Why is Jayson Tatum underrated? Payton Pritchard’s scoring upside, Celtics minutes distribution for 2025-26, Robert Williams reunion, Yam Madar update, and in-arena sounds.

Episode Overview

In this engaging Mailbag Monday episode of Locked On Celtics, host John Karalis fields Celtics fan questions ranging from team ownership and arena speculation to player assessment and offseason narratives. Karalis delves into whether buying TD Garden is viable, addresses why Jayson Tatum is often overlooked in superstar discussions, explores Payton Pritchard’s scoring ceiling with a breakdown of potential minutes, and touches on Robert Williams, Yam Madar, and the evolution of TD Garden's in-arena experience.

Should the Celtics Buy TD Garden?

[02:14 – 08:27]

• Question: Is it more feasible for the Celtics to buy TD Garden instead of building a new arena?
• Karalis’ Take:
  • “I’m going to say no… It’s not very likely that they’re able to do that.” (02:25)
  • The main barrier? The building isn’t for sale. Delaware North (Jacobs family) owns the Garden, the Boston Bruins, and operates it profitably.
  • Analogy: "Why would you sell your house… just to turn around and rent it?" (03:00)
  • Even if TD Garden hypothetically went up for sale, it would be “massively expensive and [in need of] updating.” (04:30)
• Pros of a New Arena:
  • Build to the team’s specifications—basketball-first design, maximize seating capacity, better fan experience.
  • Karalis likens it to building your dream house vs. buying a fixer-upper.
• Reality Check:
  • The Celtics’ ownership lacks the resources compared to NBA mega-owners, and the local market presents logistical challenges.
  • “I just don’t see that being available... I just don’t see why the family would do that… Even if they sold the Bruins, you’d sell the Bruins and the building, right?” (06:47)
  • “Hey, who knows? If he hit the Powerball, he would have gotten halfway there.” (07:40)
• Summary:
  • Buying TD Garden is extremely unlikely; a new arena is still a challenge, but possibly more desirable if feasible.

Jayson Tatum’s Underrated Narrative

[08:30 – 14:00]

• Question: Why does Jayson Tatum get so overlooked compared to other NBA superstars, and is his playoff reputation fair?
• Karalis’ Response:
  • “I don’t understand where this ‘not very good in the playoffs’ thing comes from... He’s been good in the playoffs.” (08:40)
  • Tatum is “a first team All-NBA player," but isn't seen as an MVP-level guy—always voted fourth or fifth, "still one of the five best players… but he’s not in the argument for best.” (09:10)
  • Why is he overlooked?
    • Lacks MVP-level “heliocentric” dominance like Jokic or Luka.
    • He’s “very willing to accept double teams, to give the ball up, to make that extra pass.” (10:20)
    • Style is “efficient, professional, does everything at a very, very high level,” but not flashy: “His game lacks that extra sauce that gets people excited." (12:10)
    • Because he doesn’t produce ‘how-did-he-do-that’ moments, his bad games are under a harsh microscope.
  • Outcome: “The narrative — don’t worry about it. Tatum is obviously an elite basketball player… already a Hall of Famer in his mid-20s… puts his name in the mix with Bird.” (13:30)
• Notable Quote:
  • “It’s okay to be an incredible basketball player and not like Nikola Jokic. But when it comes to narratives… that’s why.” (13:45)

Payton Pritchard: Can He Average 20 Points?

[15:15 – 21:10]

• Question: Will Payton Pritchard average more than 20 points per game this season? Starter or bench?
• Karalis’ Breakdown:
  • “He could start and he’d be justified in starting. He’s earned it—no doubt about it.” (15:35)
  • Prefers Pritchard off the bench for rotational balance: “You want to have one of Derrick White and Jaylen Brown on the floor at all times. Having Pritchard come off the bench is how you do that.” (16:38)
  • Statistical Path to 20 PPG:
    • Per 36 minutes last year: 18.1 points. (18:20)
    • Actual minutes: 28.4 MPG, 14.3 PPG.
    • Prediction: More minutes (estimate: +6) and a larger role should yield more opportunities (extra threes, free throws).
    • “Can he get… to 20 points? … I can see it happening.” (19:40)
  • Not a lock, but plausible if opportunity and efficiency intersect favorably.
• Memorable Line:
  • “If he hits one more three per game… mixes in a couple extra free throws... you can find six points.” (19:15)

Celtics Minutes Distribution for 2025-26

[21:11 – 24:25]

• Question: How will minutes be distributed this season? Who are the key returning contributors?
• Karalis’ Minutes Math:
  • NBA game: 240 total minutes.
  • Projected top contributors (in minutes per game):
    • Jaylen Brown: 35-36
    • Derrick White: 35-36
    • Payton Pritchard: 32-33
    • Sam Hauser: 28 Running total: ~133 minutes
  • New addition Anthony Simons: “will get 32” (22:40)
  • That leaves about 80-107 minutes for the rest (big man trio: Queta, Boucher, Garza; others: Tillman, Shireman, Minott, Walsh, etc.).
  • “Minutes go by quick… there's only about three more guys you can play.” (23:40)
  • Emphasis: Core trio (White, Brown, Pritchard) will log major minutes.
• Key Insight: The math fills up fast—rotation spots will be competitive, some guys will have to accept limited roles.

Robert Williams Reunion?

[25:29 – 27:10]

• Question: Could the Celtics bring back Robert Williams when he hits free agency?
• Karalis:
  • “I just don’t see it happening. I’m not big on these reunions anymore.” (25:56)
  • Loves Williams as a person and locker room presence, but: “You can’t afford to be paying a guy that’s not that healthy… in today’s CBA you can’t have a roster spot… and salary taken up.” (26:41)
  • “It’s just not meant to be.”
• Fans’ Emotional Ties:
  • Recognizes the strong fan nostalgia for former players.
  • Lighthearted: “Is this Chris Forsberg’s burner?” (25:45)

Yam Madar Update

[27:11 – 28:29]

• Question: What’s the latest on Yam Madar and his overseas career?
• Karalis:
  • “He is doing okay, but he’s not doing great… Now 25, averaged 10 points a game in EuroBasket.” (27:25)
  • Not NBA-bound: “He’s so out of my mind… We just need to let it go. He’s not coming over. He's done, baby.” (28:10)

In-Arena Sounds and TD Garden Atmosphere

[28:30 – 31:58]

• Question: Thoughts on the Celtics updating in-arena sounds and music?
• Karalis:
  • TD Garden leans old-school with organ music; not as overbearing as some other arenas.
  • “I’ve seen some of these games… it’s so quiet that it becomes weird.” (29:59)
  • Tolerant of updates “as long as it’s not overly obnoxious.”
  • Wants to replace “Crazy Train” for intros: “I personally, I like the Triple H intro… that’s awesome. Like, let’s do it, it’s perfect for the beginning of a basketball game.” (31:05)
  • “Start a new tradition. Let’s do it!” (31:35)

Notable Quotes

• On TD Garden:
  • “It's just not very likely that they're able to do that… it's not for sale.” – Karalis (02:25)
• On Tatum’s Perception:
  • “He’s an incredible basketball player, but his game lacks that extra sauce that gets people excited.” (12:10)
• On Pritchard’s Potential:
  • “If he hits one more three per game… finds an extra basket and a free throw… you can get to 20.” (19:15)
• On Robert Williams Reunions:
  • “It just becomes so much less likely... you can’t have a roster spot, you can’t have the salary taken up.” (26:41)
• On Arena Music:
  • “I like the Triple H intro… it's entrance music... it’s designed to pump up an audience. I think it’s perfect. They should go to that.” (31:05)

Key Timestamps

• 02:14 – Celtics buying TD Garden feasibility
• 08:30 – Why Tatum is overlooked
• 15:15 – Pritchard’s scoring role and starting debate
• 21:11 – Detailed minutes distribution for 2025-26
• 25:29 – Robert Williams free agency/reunion prospects
• 27:11 – Yam Madar update
• 28:30 – TD Garden sound updates and new intro suggestions

Final Thoughts

John Karalis delivers a thoughtful and candid mailbag, balancing analytics, roster construction, and fan passion. He’s realistic about ownership and roster moves, defends Tatum’s superstar impact despite national perceptions, and brings both humor and expertise to the fan questions that define Celtics culture. Whether you’re invested in team logistics, player narratives, or the simple pleasures of game night sounds, this episode is a must-listen for Celtics fans.