Locked On Celtics – November 25, 2025

Episode Theme Overview

This episode, hosted by John Karalis with regular guest Tom Westerholm, discusses two primary topics: the implications for the Boston Celtics if backup center Neemias Queta misses time due to injury, and dissecting Jaylen Brown's recent comments about team focus and his relationship with Tracy McGrady, which influenced his decision to stay in Boston. The tone is a mix of candid basketball analysis and lighthearted banter, with in-depth context for Celtics fans.

1. Neemias Queta’s Injury: Who Steps Up?

[04:28–13:00]

Current Situation and Concerns

• Neemias Queta left the last game in the first quarter with a sprained ankle and did not return. His status for upcoming games, including against the Detroit Pistons, is uncertain ([04:28]).
• The Celtics’ lack of size could be a major issue during an upcoming stretch against physical teams like Detroit, Minnesota, Cleveland, and New York.

"If they do not have him for the Pistons, that would be a big problem."
—John Karalis ([04:45])

Possible Strategic Responses

• Punting on the Pistons Game:
  Tom suggests it might be wiser to rest Queta even if it costs the Pistons game—taking a “giveaway” loss in a tough schedule ([05:21]).

• No Good Center Replacement:
  Options like Xavier Tillman for size and strength are mentioned, but Chris Boucher is ruled out as ineffective, especially against Detroit ([08:05]).

  • “You put [Boucher] out there against Detroit... that would be a punishment if he violated a team rule.” —John Karalis ([08:14])

• Going Small and Fast:
  The duo floats radical small-ball: starting shooters like Hauser, leaning into high-variance offense, and maximizing speed. The idea is to “zag” while opponents “zig” with size. Heavy doses of Minott and Walsh for defense, prioritize transition play, and hope exceptional three-point shooting swings a game ([09:02–11:44]).

“We can’t match up against you, but maybe you can’t match up against us... We’re just gonna go super fast, super small... and hope.”
—John Karalis ([09:43])

• Basketball “Rope-a-Dope” Analogy:
  John likens the approach to Muhammad Ali’s strategy against George Foreman—outmaneuver power with agility ([10:53]).

• With or Without Queta:
  Even if Queta plays, both agree the Celtics might still benefit from staying unconventional, though at least he provides some rim protection and rebounding ([11:44–12:21]).

“A completely zigless team.”
—Tom Westerholm ([12:27])

2. Jaylen Brown’s Comments: Puzzling Accountability and ‘Loss-ish’ Wins

[13:00–30:54]

The “Loss-ish” Magic Game

• Celtics beat Orlando but nearly blew a 21-point lead, leading some fans and media to call it a “loss-ish” win ([13:01], [18:38]).
• Tom pushes back, emphasizing that winning ugly games against tough competition still counts, especially during a brutal schedule stretch ([16:09]).

“You take a win if you can get it, and it doesn’t matter how you get it... Fluky stuff happens in the NBA.”
—Tom Westerholm ([16:09])

Jaylen’s Postgame Quotes Under the Microscope

• Calling Out Team Focus:
  Jaylen called on the Celtics to “maintain humility,” noting: “when we get up, sometimes we veer and try to get into our own thought process... that’s how you open the door for a team to come back” ([18:38]).
• Does the Film Support His Critique?
  John says he rewatched the decisive third quarter and couldn’t find evidence of stars playing selfishly or freelancing, suspects Jalen’s comments may be based on patterns from other games, not this one specifically ([19:23–20:09]).
• Media Challenge:
  Tom suggests players sometimes resort to stock answers under pressure, reaching for generalizations rather than specifics—sometimes to avoid disrespecting opponents ([20:09–21:21]).

“The truth of what happened was kind of random. It was just kind of random NBA-ness.”
—Tom Westerholm ([21:01])

Notable Exchange About NBA-Level Talent

“You have to be one of the best basketball players in the world to be the worst player in the NBA.”
—John Karalis ([21:21])

“Excuses” vs. “Explanations”

• John defends players’ efforts to explain losses or bad stretches, pushing back on the media/fan tendency to label explanations as excuses ([22:23–24:37]).

3. Jaylen vs. the Officials: The Fallout

[23:23–24:37]

• Jalen believes he gets an unfair whistle this year, having openly criticized refs, including on his Twitch stream ([23:23]).
• John speculates the league’s lack of a fine may have provoked referees to police Jalen more harshly, impacting recent game officiating ([24:37]).

4. The Impact of Tracy McGrady on Jaylen Brown’s Career

[30:54–36:30]

• Jaylen’s Twitch Revelation:
  Jaylen admitted he was ready to leave Boston over years of trade rumors, but TMac advised him to stay and build his legacy ([31:36]).

“I thought [TMac] was going to say go... and instead he told me to stay. That’s basically why I’ve stayed for as long as I’ve stayed.”
—John Karalis ([31:36])

• The hosts reflect on NBA stars’ legacies: staying in one city leads to deeper local respect and significance than being a “mercenary” (as with Kevin Durant or James Harden) ([33:22–36:30]).

"If you can stay in one place for a long time... you come out with this legacy that really means something."
—Tom Westerholm ([35:13])

5. Trade Rumor Frustration and Booing Myths

[36:30–45:21]

• Jalen’s Trade Rumor Fatigue:
  The hosts clarify that frequent rumors weren’t usually due to Boston actively shopping Jalen, but from other teams naming him in major star trade scenarios ([37:49]).
• Rumor Mechanics:
  “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire” doesn’t apply to most NBA trade rumors—much of it is agent or rival GM-generated noise, not team intent ([39:33]).

Booing on Draft Night – Myth Dispelled

• John addresses a key moment in Jalen’s Celtics tenure: fans booed after not picking Chris Dunn (perceived as a precursor to a Jimmy Butler trade), not out of dislike for Jalen ([43:00–44:52]).

“The fans did not boo, specifically, Jalen Brown. We don't like that pick. Boo. They were booing, ‘we wanted Jimmy Butler.’"
—John Karalis ([44:27])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• John on Boston’s Lack of Center Options:
  “You put [Boucher] out there against Detroit... that would be a punishment...” ([08:14])
• Game Plan Extremes:
  “We are just gonna go super fast, super small... maybe you can’t match up against us.” ([09:43])
• Jaylen Brown’s Perception of Officiating:
  “Jalen is pretty convinced... nothing is going his way, according to the officials.” —Tom Westerholm ([23:23])
• On NBA Player Talent:
  “You have to be one of the best basketball players in the world to be the worst player in the NBA.” —John ([21:21])
• Legacy vs. Mercenary Path:
  “Where is KD gonna be able to match Jalen Brown's sense of purpose and fulfillment?” —Tom ([35:30])
• Draft Night Booing Clarification:
  “I wholeheartedly believe... the fans did not boo specifically Jalen Brown... They were booing we wanted Jimmy Butler…” —John ([44:27])

Key Timestamps

• 04:28: Queta injury recap and Boston’s center outlook
• 08:05: Who can fill the center role? Tillman, Boucher, Garza?
• 09:02–11:44: Small-ball, shooting-focused game plans discussed
• 13:00–18:38: Orlando’s “loss-ish” win and fan/media perceptions
• 18:38–22:17: Jaylen Brown’s comments and the validity behind them
• 23:23–24:37: Jaylen’s relationship with referees and fallout from previous criticism
• 30:54: Jaylen’s relationship with Tracy McGrady and decision to stay in Boston
• 36:30–41:43: Legacy, trade rumors, and the messiness of NBA media reporting
• 44:27: Draft night booing myth explained

Conclusion

This episode gives deep insight into how the Celtics handle injuries in the frontcourt, thoughtful breakdowns of player psychology and locker room dynamics, and meaningful reflection on the power of legacy for NBA stars. The hosts engage in thorough, fan-centered analysis, debunking myths and offering behind-the-scenes perspectives that help fans interpret both on-court and off-court developments.

"Celtics legend Jalen Brown... your number goes up, and it's probably already going up, but—there are no questions."
—John Karalis ([37:11])

Perfect for Celtics diehards seeking smart basketball talk, inside stories, and the context behind the news of the day.