Locked On Celtics: Who STARTS? Who FINISHES? Figuring out Boston Celtics ROTATIONS

Host: John Karalis
Date: September 18, 2025
Episode Focus: In this episode, John Karalis undertakes a comprehensive breakdown of the Boston Celtics’ projected starting lineup, bench rotation, and closing lineups heading into the 2025-26 season. He explores position battles, game situations, and evaluates the team’s depth, offering expert analysis and inviting listener engagement.

Main Theme / Purpose

John Karalis analyzes the Celtics’ rotations for the upcoming season, debating who should start, how deep the bench can go, and what lineups make sense to close games—emphasizing flexibility, matchups, and the impact of newcomers and younger players.
Karalis discusses his preferred lineups, alternatives based on team needs or matchups, and considers both offensive and defensive priorities. He also draws attention to the emphasis the Celtics may place on experimentation, evaluation, and development over raw win totals this season.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Starting Lineup Debate (01:46-13:38)

• Karalis’s Preferred Starting Five:

  • Derrick White
  • Anfernee Simons
  • Jalen Brown
  • Chris Boucher
  • Neemias Queta

  “My starting lineup has been Derrick White, Anthony Simons, Jalen Brown, Chris Boucher, Nimius Keita. That’s my starting five for now.” [02:10]

• Rationale Behind Choices:

  • Strong perimeter trio with Brown as the lead option; Simons and White provide versatility.
  • Boucher can space the floor at the four, at least enough to be “a guy that you have to at least pay attention to.” Keita provides shot-blocking presence with size.
  • Defensive double-bigs concept: “I still think a double big defensive lineup is going to be Boston’s best option…” [09:42]
  • Simons’s presence prevents defenses from doubling Brown, opening up offense:

    “What I like about Simons so much as a starter is that it prevents you from, prevents the defense from doubling Jalen Brown. And I think that’s a big deal.” [06:41]

• Alternative Starting Options:

  • Karalis is open to Peyton Pritchard or Sam Hauser starting for more shooting.
  • Recognizes Pritchard “deserves to start,” but prefers him off the bench for rotation balance.
  • Simons off the bench could win Sixth Man of the Year.
  • Flexibility is a theme—lineup could change based on matchups or performance.

    “Whatever the starting lineup is on opening night, it might change based on matchups. It may change based on just performance and lineup.” [10:56]

• Lineup Staggering:

  • Likes Pritchard coming in early for White or Brown to keep scorers on the floor.
  • Stresses the importance of not leaving Brown as the sole offensive threat.

• Emphasis on Adaptability:

  • “Certain things that you think are going to happen don’t actually materialize.” [11:16]
  • Willingness to adjust the lineup and not be ‘married’ to one set-up.

2. Bench and Rotation Depth (14:08-25:07)

• Expected Core Rotation Players:

  • Certainties: White, Brown, Queta as “cemented starters”
  • Main rotation: Pritchard, Houser, Boucher, Simons

  “Those are those guys I’ve named now, seven players…” [14:24]

• Emerging Young Talent:

  • Baylor Scheierman: “Strong candidate to make a leap,” great passer with NBA size [15:04]
  • Josh Minott: High-energy wing, “really trying to play hard and...execute their roles” [16:45]
  • Luka Garza: Offensive big, needs defensive improvement, potential for needed bench scoring

• Veterans/Fringe Rotation:

  • Xavier Tillman: Described as “an X factor,” proven NBA player if healthy; may get minutes [17:37]
  • Jordan Walsh: Wild card, could see minutes, may be on the edge of the rotation

• Depth Assessment:

  • Celtics could go “10 deep,” with Simons and Hauser providing offense off the bench
  • Flexibility to run a full bench lineup of Simons, Hauser, Scheierman, Garza, Minott

  “You can do a full bench lineup actually – Simons, Hauser, Shireman, Garza, Minot… I’ve seen worse.” [20:26]

• Developmental Focus:

  • Early minutes likely for Minott and Garza to assess their fit
  • Importance of evaluating young, fringy players:

    “The Celtics need to figure out Minot and Garza especially and maybe Minot more than anybody…” [18:46]

• Themes of “Pacersy vibes”:

  • Acknowledges that, with several decent, hungry players, collective effort could make depth a “strength”—even if individuals seem average

  “If they can figure something out collectively, this actually, this actually might not be so bad.” [21:29]

3. Closing/Finishing Lineups (25:35-34:15)

• End-of-Game Lineup Philosophy:

  • Situational approach based on whether the Celtics are ahead or behind
  • Jalen Brown and Derrick White are “fixtures” in all closing lineups
  • Neemias Queta likely to finish for size and defense, but this could shift based on foul trouble, matchups, or Boucher’s shooting

• Down 10, Need Offense:

  • Likely to play small and prioritize shooting:
    • Anthony Simons
    • Derrick White
    • Jalen Brown
    • Peyton Pritchard
    • Chris Boucher (at the five)

  “That’s going to be a high powered offense. You’re going to get a lot of points that way…” [26:25]

• Up 10, Need Defense/Rebounding:

  • May switch Boucher out for Queta for rim protection
  • If Simons struggles defensively, could see Josh Minott or Jordan Walsh close:

    “Is this where you go Minot or do you go Jordan Walsh – big rangy wings – or do you do both?” [27:52]

• Best Defensive Lineup:

  • White, Brown, Minott, Walsh, Queta
  • May “get weird” with double bigs or unique wing-heavy groups late in games [28:15]
  • “Jordan Walsh is such a wild card…” Could be out of the rotation or closing for defense [28:50]

• Development Over Wins:

  • Karalis downplays focus on win totals, stresses experimentation and getting a “look” at various combinations:

    “I don’t think we should be worried necessarily about the final wins and losses tally… I’m not really looking at this season as how many games…” [30:24]

• Celtics Playoff Outlook:

  • Still expects playoffs, but not concerned with play-in positioning; experimentation and evaluation matter more early in the season.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Simons Preventing Double Teams:

  “What I like about Simons so much as a starter is that it prevents the defense from doubling Jalen Brown. And I think that’s a big deal.” (John Karalis, 06:41)

• On Lineup Flexibility:

  “Whatever the starting lineup is on opening night, it might change based on matchups. It may change based on just performance and lineup.” (John Karalis, 10:56)

• On the Team’s Depth:

  “The depth is actually kind of there. Maybe I’ve been looking at this a little too… I’m open to revising [my expectations] because this depth could actually be a strength for the Celtics this year.” (21:29)

• On Closing Situations:

  “Fourth quarter is about getting buckets and the best way to prevent the team from coming back is just scoring baskets.” (John Karalis, 25:54)

• On Experimentation and Wins:

  “I don’t care. I’m not really looking at this season as how many games are they going to win… If The Celtics win 41 games, so be it… 51, great… 31, so be it.” (John Karalis, 30:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Starting Lineup Discussion: 01:46–13:38
• Rotation Depth & Bench Analysis: 14:08–25:07
• Who Finishes Games/Closing Lineups: 25:35–34:15

Listener Engagement

Karalis encourages fans to join the conversation via the YouTube comment section:

“Let me know what you think. What’s your starting five? What’s your bench rotation? Am I missing somebody? Am I overlooking somebody? Am I overrating somebody? Let me know in the comment section.” (32:22)

Summary

John Karalis’s detailed, candid exploration of the Celtics’ possible rotations for the 2025-26 season highlights positional battles, the value of flexibility, and the importance of evaluating young and fringe players. While acknowledging uncertainties and the likelihood of early-season experimentation, he remains optimistic that the team's collective depth and versatility may surprise skeptics. The episode reflects a balanced, open-minded tone and welcomes active listener participation as the roster battle unfolds.