Episode Summary: Are the Celtics Done? | Slam N Jam

Release Date: May 10, 2025
Podcast: The Athletic NBA Daily
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni
Regular Guests: Andrew Schlecht, Alex Spears
Special Guests: Jared Weiss, Anthony Slater

Introduction

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily's Saturday special, "Slam N Jam," hosts Jared Weiss and Anthony Slater delve deep into the current NBA playoff landscape, with a particular focus on the Boston Celtics' performance and their future prospects. The episode also features engaging segments, including a lively trivia game, and insights from The Athletic’s award-winning NBA reporters.

Boston Celtics’ Playoff Performance

Struggling Offense:
The Boston Celtics, despite their impressive 61-win regular season, find themselves struggling offensively in the playoffs against the New York Knicks. They have missed a staggering 75 out of 100 three-pointers across two games, marking the “most misses in consecutive playoff games in NBA history” ([34:05] Jared Weiss).

Key Issues:
Jayson Tatum’s inconsistent three-point shooting has been a significant factor. Tatum has maintained a three-point percentage of around 32% in the playoffs over three consecutive years, which raises concerns about his reliability as a primary shooter ([37:21] Jared Weiss).

Defensive Insights:
While the Celtics’ defense remains solid overall, their offensive woes often dictate the defensive outcomes. “Boston's defense usually starts with their offense,” explains Jared Weiss ([40:48] Guest 2). The inability to generate high-quality shots, especially in crunch time, hampers their defensive effectiveness.

Injuries and Health Concerns:
The Celtics are grappling with several injuries, including Jalen Brown’s knee and Jayson Tatum’s wrist issues, which further exacerbate their offensive and defensive struggles. The mysterious illness plaguing Kristaps Porziņģis (referred to as "Porzingis") is also limiting his impact on the court ([19:55] Jared Weiss).

Future Adjustments:
Looking ahead to games three and four, adjustments are necessary. Emphasis may shift to alternative strategies, such as utilizing players like Mikhail Bridges and enhancing post-play through Porziņģis, who has been underperforming due to his health issues ([42:41] Guest 2).

Notable Quote:

“Jason Tatum has played 119 playoff games. In what percentage of those games did he score 15 points or fewer?” – Jared Weiss ([46:05] Guest 3)

Los Angeles Clippers’ Future

Playoff Exit Analysis:
The Clippers were eliminated in a seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets, marking their third consecutive first-round exit. The discussion centers on whether the team should pivot its strategy or continue with key players like James Harden.

Ownership and Rebuilding:
Owner Steve Ballmer’s commitment to winning now, rather than initiating a rebuild, was highlighted. “He doesn't seem like he's gonna hit a rebuild button. He wants... to have fun playoff games,” Jared Weiss notes ([05:16] Guest 1).

Player Performance:
Despite the series loss, there were positives, such as Kawhi Leonard's occasional high-level performances. However, continuous underperformance by key players suggests the Clippers might need to reconsider their current trajectory ([05:16] Guest 1).

Notable Quote:

“The Clippers are like a brighter, more positive version of that...” – Guest 1 ([06:43] Guest 1)

Houston Rockets and Alperen Şengün

Playoff Performance:
Alperen Şengün’s inefficiency on offense was a crucial factor in the Rockets' playoff exit. While his defensive contributions were noteworthy, the Houston Rockets struggled offensively against the Golden State Warriors’ robust defense ([07:12] Guest 1).

Future Prospects:
Building around Şengün remains a priority for the Rockets. “Unless Şengün is the swing piece to get a Giannis or Devin Book,” Guest 1 suggests, “I'd keep him. I'd build smartly around him” ([07:12] Guest 1).

Defensive Strategy:
Under Coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets have implemented a strong defensive infrastructure, utilizing versatile defensive schemes like double bigs and zone defenses to counter opponent strategies ([07:12] Guest 1).

Notable Quote:

“They kept shooting through everything. And you can see in game two, they passed up a lot of looks.” – Jared Weiss ([34:05] Guest 2)

Golden State Warriors’ Progress and Steph Curry’s Injury

Series Advancement:
After defeating the Rockets, the Warriors progressed to face the Minnesota Wolves. In a surprising turn, they showcased dominance but suffered a setback with Steph Curry’s hamstring injury, sidelining him until at least Game 5 ([09:20] Guest 1).

Injury Impact:
Curry’s absence raises questions about the Warriors' ability to sustain their performance. “Seeing how good Game 2 went without Steph,” Jared Weiss inquires about the Warriors' prospects without their star player ([09:41] Guest 1).

Team Adjustments:
The Warriors have been experimenting with their lineup, attempting to compensate for Curry’s absence by utilizing multiple players and focusing on defensive prowess. “They have been the top defense in the league for large stretches lately,” Guest 1 comments on their strategy ([11:19] Guest 1).

Notable Quote:

“Jimmy Butler probably... he's running off fumes a little bit too...” – Guest 1 ([10:02] Guest 1)

Player Spotlight: Draymond Green’s Behavior and Technical Fouls

Technical Fouls and Suspension Risks:
Draymond Green has accumulated five technical fouls in the playoffs, with seven leading to a one-game suspension. Concerns revolve around his emotional outbursts and potential impact on the Warriors’ playoff run ([11:49] Guest 1).

Defensive Role vs. Emotional Control:
While Green remains a defensive stalwart, his “flailing” and “yelling at the referees” detract from his contributions. “He is absurdly undersized for what he does,” Guest 1 critiques, highlighting the challenges Green faces in his role ([13:53] Guest 1).

Team Dynamics:
Steve Kerr’s coaching style, which doesn’t tolerate dropping defensive intensity, leaves Green in a precarious position where he must balance his defensive contributions with emotional control to avoid suspensions ([14:33] Guest 1).

Notable Quote:

“He is just doing his flailing thing that he's trying to sell calls. He's in this stage of his career...” – Guest 1 ([13:53] Jared Weiss)

Playoff Implications and Team Strategies

Eastern Conference Dynamics:
The Celtics’ potential early exit could precipitate significant changes in team dynamics and management. Discussions touch on payroll considerations and possible ownership shifts, which could fundamentally alter the team’s future direction ([19:41] Jared Weiss).

Western Conference Updates:
The Minnesota Wolves and Oklahoma City Thunder remain key contenders, with their defensive strategies and young talent positioning them as strong candidates for advancing to the finals, contingent on player health and performance ([22:19] Guest 1).

Notable Quote:

“It is a hot topic around the league... conversations about what the Celtics, from a payroll standpoint, are going to have to do...” – Guest 1 ([20:31] Guest 1)

Trivia Segment: NBA Championship Draft

Engaging Trivia Game:
The episode features a spirited trivia contest between Jared Weiss and Andrew Schlecht, focusing on Boston Celtics’ statistics and historical performances. Questions ranged from individual player stats to historical playoff moments.

Key Moments:

• Question on Celtics' Offensive Contributors:
  The correct answer was Peyton Pritchard, highlighting his unexpected impact despite a challenging series ([45:59] Jared Weiss).

• 2021 Clippers' Playoff Minutes Leader:
  Marcus Morris was identified as the third-highest minutes played for the Clippers during their 2021 playoff series ([52:08] Jared Weiss).

• Active Players with High Rebounds:
  The discussion revealed top rebounders like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Davis, with Al Horford being notable for his consistent performance ([55:05] Guest 3).

Notable Quote:

“Jason Tatum has played 119 playoff games. In what percentage of those games did he score 15 points or fewer?” – Jared Weiss ([46:05] Guest 3)

Audience Engagement and Reviews

The hosts emphasize the importance of listener feedback, reading and acknowledging positive reviews from platforms like Apple Podcasts and YouTube. They encourage listeners to leave five-star reviews and engage with the show’s content to support its growth and continued success.

Notable Quote:

“We really appreciate it. We're really proud of what we've done so far this season and through the playoffs.” – Jared Weiss ([63:11] Guest 3)

Conclusion and Future Episodes

The episode wraps up with a preview of the upcoming NBA draft lottery, promising a live stream event with hosts Alex Spears and Jared Weiss. They also hint at potential guest appearances from notable personalities like Josh Robbins, aiming to enhance future discussions and insights.

Upcoming Events:

• Live Stream of the NBA Draft Lottery
• Potential guest appearances to enrich future episodes

Final Thoughts: The hosts express gratitude towards their listeners and encourage continued engagement through reviews and participation in upcoming events, ensuring the podcast remains a valuable source of NBA insights.

Key Takeaways

• Celtics' Offensive Struggles: The Boston Celtics face significant challenges in their playoff run due to poor three-point shooting and key injuries.

• Clippers' Future Uncertainty: With consistent first-round exits, the Clippers may need to reconsider their current strategy and player lineup.

• Rockets' Defensive Strength vs. Offensive Weakness: The Houston Rockets showcase strong defense but falter offensively, particularly with Alperen Şengün’s efficiency.

• Warriors' Resilience Tested: Steph Curry’s injury tests the Warriors’ depth and defensive strategies, with Draymond Green’s behavior adding further complexity.

• Engaging Listener Interaction: The trivia segment and encouragement for listener reviews highlight the podcast's commitment to interactive and community-driven content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “Jason Tatum has played 119 playoff games. In what percentage of those games did he score 15 points or fewer?” – Jared Weiss ([46:05] Guest 3)

• “The Clippers are like a brighter, more positive version of that...” – Guest 1 ([06:43] Guest 1)

• “They kept shooting through everything. And you can see in game two, they passed up a lot of looks.” – Jared Weiss ([34:05] Guest 2)

• “He is just doing his flailing thing that he's trying to sell calls. He's in this stage of his career...” – Guest 1 ([13:53] Jared Weiss)

• “We really appreciate it. We're really proud of what we've done so far this season and through the playoffs.” – Jared Weiss ([63:11] Guest 3)

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Are the Celtics Done? | Slam N Jam" episode, providing listeners with insightful analysis, engaging discussions, and a clear understanding of the current NBA playoff dynamics.