Havlicek Stole the Pod NBA Basketball Podcast

Las Vegas Summer League is firmly behind the Sin City Celtics, their identity now starting to morph toward being the Boston Celtics ball club we will see on the court for the NBA's 2026-27 regular season. Training camp and preseason are still there for the deeper rotation players to earn themselves a role, and the Celtics incoming class of rookies and undrafted players will also be fighting to assure their place with the team as well. Rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell stand out in particular as potential deep rotation options who could conceivably see the floor with Boston this coming campaign. But they have some serious competition ahead of them and some limitations to their play to go with some surprising developments that were on display in summer league. What can we expect from the Celtics incoming rookies next season, and beyond? To that end, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" caught up with Bryce Simon of Motor City Hoops and the "Game Theory" podcast to project what we expect from Mitchell and Cenac in the season to come as well as their ceilings and floors. They also touch on some of the other hidden gems of the Sin City Celtics, and get caught up on what little news there is to dig into. Check it out! Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What have we learned from the Sin City Celtics at Las Vegas Summer League? The Boston Celtics are nearly done with their slate of exhibition tilts in the great state of Nevada, having gone 3-1 in Las Vegas so far this summer with one more game left to play. Over the course of those four contests, we have learned some things about Boston's younger players, the incoming rookie class, as well as what other players might be worth trying to keep in the Celtics' developmental system. What do we think of Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams heading into their second season? Will we see any play from Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell with Boston next season? Will any of John Tonje, Tucker DeVries, or Milos Uzan end up on a two way deal with Boston? And are their any other undrafted, unsigned diamonds in the rough on the Summer Celtics roster? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with Forbes and Hardwood Houdini's Bobby Krivitsky direct from Sin City to talk all things Celtics and Las Vegas Summer League, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What are the long-term implications of the Boston Celtics trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers? By now, most fans of the team have an answer for why they elected to move on from the 2024 NBA FInals MVP. But what it will mean for the team in future seasons when it comes to contending for NBA titles? For that matter, what can we expect to see from Brown with the Sixers in the long term -- and the Eastern Conference while we are at it? Are fans of other NBA teams in for a rude awaking when it comes to hanging onto their favorite players? Are we going to see major changes in how people are fans in this league moving forward? While the dust on the tectonic shift of a trade has mostly settled, it's implications are only just starting to come into focus. To get a better idea of how this all might play out, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Bleacher Report's Bryan Toporek to talk about all of the above. We also get caught up on what little news is still making the rounds this deep into the 2026 NBA offseason. Check it out below!           Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How might the Jaylen Brown trade impact not just the Boston Celtics but the `Sixers Philadelphia 76ers and the NBA's Eastern Conference next season? One of the bigger rocks in our collective sandals about this trade has been dealing Brown to not just a rival but the team that sent the Celtics fishing in the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs. But the Georgia native's impact could change how both teams play, as well as the potential pecking order of the East. The question is who was right when it comes to Brown's impact on winning with a supermax deal, as well as which teams benefit the most from the impact of the CBA on team building. And we know that was the driving force given Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and team owner Bill Chisholm told us as much in the presser held to make this move official on Monday (July 6). To wrap our heads around how this trade changes the Celtics, Sixers, and the East, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with Sixers Wire editor Ky Carlin, and we get into all the news since our last episode as well, including said press conference. Be sure to tune in! Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Like most fans of the Boston Celtics, we started our most recent episode of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" knowing there was a very good chance that star Celtics forward Jaylen Brown might be traded soon. We brought on Third Apron NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan to help talk us through how the league's current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) helped put Boston in such a position to begin with, as well as what that and the changing valuation of draft picks might be an impediment. And then the trade actually happened, right as we hung up the call. So we jumped back on (sans Yossi, who this trade made plenty of work for as well) to vent about what we knew, and to try to wrap our heads around the return for the – at worst – seventh-best player in the league last season. We hope you find the latter half informative, and the first cathartic. We will assuredly be back with you soon to talk us through this mess as well, but in the meantime, tune in if you can. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What is the future of Jaylen Brown with the Boston Celtics, and how have the media played a role in the mess the Celtics find themselves in now? In the failed pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks star big man Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics moved fast, and the media broke stuff. Some of the current situation Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has to sort out came from his and his staff's decisions to pursue the Greek Freak and risk a critical relationship with Jaylen Brown. But a fair amount of this debacle also came from the media, who complicated the situation via a rush to publish, facts and reliability often collateral damage. Can the situation be salvaged to run it back, or is the Brown relationship broken beyond repair? And how have the media unwittingly (and at times, wittingly) allowed themselves to be complicit? To get a better idea about all of the above, "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with "Locked on Celtics" host John Karalis, taking a deep dive into the role of the modern NBA media with regard to trade rumors, team building, and ethical coverage of the sport. We also touch on the news making the rounds, from what Boston did in the 2026 NBA draft to what their moves can tell us about their future plans and more, so be sure to check it out. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Where do the Boston Celtics go from here? After a failed pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks star big man Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics now find themselves in damage control mode as Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens pivots to repairing his relationship with dangled star Jaylen Brown while also reportedly fielding calls from rival ball clubs in case a trade is needed. The Celtics also drafted a high-upside project big in Chris Cenac Jr. in the 2026 NBA Draft, which may hint at an expected need for talent down the road given the risk taken in passing on more ready-to-contribute options still on the board. What do we think of where the team finds itself, what might happen next, and how could it go down? To get a bead on all the above, "Havlicek Stole the Pod" put their heads together on their most recent episode. We even got into the trickle of other news still making its way into print this late into the offseason, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What we know (and what we do not know) about the Boston Celtics trade interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo is not at all clear at first glance, with contradictory reports (sometimes from the same sources) muddying the waters for Celtics fans and analysts at the height of silly season. For those of us unfamiliar with that latter term, after the end of the playoffs and before the start of the next season (but especially before the NBA draft), all so-called intel about what teams might do should be taken with very large grains of salt. Teams, players, and agents negotiate through the media, and the media engages in especially creative couching of the facts to drive fan engagement. Which tells us little about whether Boston really wants to trade for the Greek Freak, if Jaylen Brown might be involved, or what they might have planned if all this Giannis talk is just hot air. To that end, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took some time to take stock of what we DO know, what we still do not, and what it all may mean for Celtics president Brad Stevens' plans for the team this summer. We also get caught up on what little news there is, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Under the current NBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA), what a contender looks like has started to change – and how contenders play in the postseason as well. As the Boston Celtics begin the process of shifting their team from a contender under the former regime to the present one, fans of the team might be expecting moves that may never come to pass. To be clearer, the days of spending deep into the tax for multiple seasons as franchises pile on talent to a talented core are likely gone for the foreseeable future. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks have instead leaned into depth and flexibility in ways it looks like the Celtics could already be emulating. What does this look like in practice? How will the way the players play and the coaches coach change? And how are we seeing current contenders like the Spurs and Knicks play out this new model of contention in the 2026 NBA Finals? To get a better idea of what this might look like in practice, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with cohost of the "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone, to break down what we're seeing unfold, and what we think might be coming. We also get caught up on the news still emerging this deep int a longer-than-usual offseason, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New England is the home of basketball excellence, whether we are talking at the NBA level with the Boston Celtics, or at the college level with the University of Connecticut. And Huskies beat writer Dave Borges just wrote a book tracing the history of the latter, including several key junctures where UConn and the Celtics share history. Focused on the rise and continued success of the Huskies in "UConn Men's Basketball: An Illustrated Timeline," Borges joined the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" to talk all things New England sports, but mostly his new book and the two ball clubs' entangled history. We also talk about potential future entanglements with an assessment of how 2026 NBA Draft prospects Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed might fit with Boston, how Stephon Castle is exceeding expectations with the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, and more. We also get caught up on all the trade rumbles, finals action, coaching searches and the rest of the Celtics and NBA news, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the Boston Celtics out of the 2026 NBA postseason, attention turns to building the roster of the future for fans and executives of the team alike. So with that in mind, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Motor City Hoops and Game Theory analyst Bryce Simon to talk through what prospects the Celtics ought to be working out. With the Nos. 27 and 40 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and company have a lot of directions they could go in for this draft, from taking the picks where they are slated to trading up, down, or out of this year's draft. We also touch on how Boston and the Detroit Pistons have had similar ends to great regular seasons, how they might approach their offseasons differently, and whether there might be a deal to be made between these East ball clubs. We also get caught up on what little news is still trickling out, so be sure to tune in! Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the Boston Celtics now in their offseason after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, retooling the roster is a given. But in the meantime, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are locked in a battle for the ages that is giving 28 other front offices pause when it comes to building a competitive contender. And we can and should include Boston and Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens in that camp, meaning teams that want to compete for titles will need a roster able to counter the buzzsaw that is the Thunder AND the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs behemoth arising out of the West. To get a better idea of how OKC and San Antonio might be looking at the future (and the series mentioned above, yikes), the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Thunder Wire editor and OKC beat writer Clemente Almanza. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about what the Celtics and the rest of the NBA need to consider when building contenders, just how worried we ought to be about Wemby, and more. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What might the Boston Celtics offseason moves look like? The Celtics are all but assured to make some significant changes to the roster they used in the 2025-26 NBA regular season. After Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens effectively said as much in his end-of-season press conference in the wake of an unceremonious first-round exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, and there is good reason to believe him. Whether we think that means trading a core player like Jaylen Brown or Derrick White likely has as much to do with whether you think the return they could get is better than the core they have now. But splashier moves are always tougher to pull off in a way to a team's advantage, and Stevens has shown he tends to make consistent smaller- and medium-sized moves in place of home-run attempts. So what does all this tell us about what to expect this summer? To try to get an answer, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with HoopsHype's Cyro Asseo as we take a deep dive into a range of possibilities for Boston this offseason. Check it out below! Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What tools do the Boston Celtics have to reshape their roster this offseason? After an unceremonious exist in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, it soon became apparent that the feel-good season of Boston overachieving ahead of the playoffs was not as solid as it perhaps looked. But that also does not mean that the team is a disaster far from true contention either, both points of view addressed by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens in his end-of-season press conference. And while some of that early exit can be blamed on the moves Boston made to get out of the tax, they also gave the Celtics a robust toolkit to improve the team over the next season or two. To get a better idea of what Boston has available to work with in terms of teambuilding tools and constraints, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Third Apron head honcho and NBA cap guru Yossi Gozlan. We also get caught up on the news of the week, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics run in the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs came to a grinding halt with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the first round series they led 3-1 four tilts into the round. With the loss, their pursuit of Banner 19 comes to an end until the start of next season, but also provides a window into what that version of the team will need. How do we feel about what was supposed to be a 'gap year,' as well as the rollercoaster it became in terms of expectations? What did we learn about the stars, role players, and deep rotation? Where do the coaches need to get better? And who played their way onto (or off of) the next iteration of the ball club? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Boston-based theater actor and friend of the pod Evan Turrisini to talk it all over as well as catch up on the news, so be sure to tune in, drop out -- and reload. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics have somehow found a way to squander a 3-1 series lead to the Philadelphia 76ers in their 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs first round series after dropping Game 6 in all-too-familiar fashion. Now the Celtics find themselves in their last chance to close out the series before watching an otherwise magical campaign come to a screeching halt as old bad habits resurface at the worst moment possible/ What went wrong for Boston? Will Jayson Tatum be able to play after appearing to hurt his leg? How important is playing their depth and executing to this team? Where did the accountability culture disppear to? What do the Celtics need to do to win Game 7? And while it's something we'd rather not think too much about, what could be coming down the pike this offseason if the unthinkable happens and the Celtics are a first-round exit? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Celtics Blog's Gio Rivera to talk through all of the above and what little news has happened since the last pod, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics won Game 4 of their 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs first round series with the Philadelphia 76ers 128-96 behind a monster game off the bench from Payton Pritchard (32 points, 5 assists), with string play from Jayson Tatum (30 points, 7 boards, 11 assists), and Jaylen Brown (20 points, 7 rebounds). The Celtics bench added 57 points overall, nearly more than Joel Embiid (26 points, 10 boards) scored in tandem with Tyrese Maxey (22 points, 6 assists) for Philadelphia in Embiid's return, the Sixers big man ending the night a -25 despite his impressive line. What went right for Boston? What did Philly do wrong? And most importantly, what do we expect in Game 5 of the series as the play shifts back to TD Garden? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" convened after the win to hear what was said in the locker room as well as what we think might be coming down the (Mass) pike, so be sure to tune in for this playoffs edition of the show. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics won Game 1 of their first-round series of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs vs. the Philadelphia 76ers in decisive fashion, blowing out the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91 at TD Garden on Sunday (April 19) night. Plenty went right for the Celtics, and little Philadelphia, so we can expect Game 2 to have a different contour than we saw in these two ball clubs' first meeting of the postseason. But what, specifically, can the Sixers do to counter the scoring onslaught we saw from star Boston forwards Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum? Is there a way for Philly to boost their 3-point shooting to a level they will need to get to in order to beat Boston? And what else do we need to know about the postseason so far? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down to talk through Game 1, and how it may inform what we see on the court in Game 2. We also get caught up on the news, so be sure to tune in to this episode. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Now that the Boston Celtics are set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, what do we need to know about the series? It has become something of a ritual to face the Sixers early in the postseason for Boston in recent years, and up until now, it has typically gone the Celtics way even in series where the games were close. Now, Philly is in the midst of the start of a new era with rising stars Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe set to take the reigns from aging vets Paul George and Joel Embiid. And with latter dealing with a serious injury and the former still untested in the postseason, just what sort of an opponent are the Celtics facing? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down to flesh out the outline of the seven-game series set to kick off Sunday, as well as what we expect in terms of matchups, play style, and outcome. We also get caught up on all the news of Boston's off week and more, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are just a few games left in the 2025-26 NBA regular season. What do the Boston Celtics need to do before they start the 2026 NBA Playoffs? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Forbes beat writer Bobby Krivitsky to talk through what Boston has in terms of unfinished business before the start of the postseason, how the playoff picture has changed since our last pod, and where Derrick White and Jaylen Brown are in the All-Defense and All-NBA races, respectively. We also touch on the rumbles connecting Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Celtics, Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens to college coaching vacancies, players gearing up for postseason pushes after extended absences due to injuries, recent games, and more. We even get into Neemias Queta's odds at being named Most Improved Player, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2025-26 NBA regular season is more than 90% over, with the Boston Celtics having just six games left to play. But after that of course comes the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the Celtics are poised to make some serious noise in the Eastern Conference postseason scrum thanks to an MVP-caliber campaign from star Boston forward Jaylen Brown, big steps forward from several rotation players, and a surprisingly capable incoming cohort of rookies, new Celtics, and a healed Jayson Tatum. This then begs the question of which East ball club Boston will likely face in the first round of the 'offs -- and more to the point which teams we most (and least) want the Celtics to face in the first round. With three likely opponents and another trio of less likely ones pending who comes out of the play-in tournament (and where Boston finishes in the standings), the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took some time on this episode to talk through the field of potential opponents for the Celtics, along with which we feel would be the biggest (and least) challenge for Boston. We also get caught up on all your late-season Celtics news, so be sure to tune in! Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As we approach the end of the 2025-26 regular season, the NCAA tournament is heating up. There, we will get our best glimpse yet of most of the incoming cohort of 2026 NBA Draft, and who the next members of the Celtics organization might be. The league is also elevating their assault on the tendency of teams to make their play worse to get said players after a recent Board of Governors meeting laid out a number of routes the NBA could take to lessen tanking. To get a read on who Boston ought to consider drafting and what the league should (not?) do to fix tanking, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with USA TODAY draft guru Bryan Kalbrosky to talk through a very future-focused episode. We also cover some important health news in the context of the Celtics stretch run and more, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics are currently well past the three-fourths mark of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. And with that point in time having been arrived at, we are seeing an uptick in talk about the full-season awards that various Execs, coaches, and players from around the league are in the running for. There are a handful of awards that a member of the Celtics organization have a shot at, from Jaylen Brown being in the hunt for this year's Most Valuable Player award to Joe Mazzulla being a frontrunner for Coach of the Year and Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens Executive of the Year. And there are a host of awards that ought to exist, yet for some reason do not. To thread the needs of all the above, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with CelticsBlog's Ian Inangelo, diving deep into the award races, both real and made up. We also get caught up on a busy week of news, so be sure to tune in to this week's episode. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Derrick White has carved out a critical role with the Boston Celtics on the court since being dealt to the team in 2022. And he has also become an integral part of the greater Celtics community off the court, from his Curbside Care charity events to his beloved Sam Adams commercials for their Derrick White Ale. And the Colorado native has also had a privileged view on the rehab and return of his star teammate Jayson Tatum. The University of Colorado - Boulder alum sat down this week to talk to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" about all of the above, as well as his own "White Noise" podcast, his preternatural defense this season, and a new Sam Adams ad campaign among several other topics in this wide-ranging interview. We also get caught up on how Tatum has been doing in his return from injury, what the Nikola Vucevic injury means for Boston, and more – so be sure to tune in to this special episode. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With a certain St. Louis native having his injury report status changed from "out" to "questionable," the world of Boston Celtics (and NBA) fandom just kicked into overdrive. How will he change the Celtics season to date, where will he fit into this version of the team, and how should our expectations change are just a few of the relevant questions in need of some answers. But we can also turn back the clock to talk about Hall of Fame Celtics legend Larry Bird's origin story in 'Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle of Larry Bird,' a new account of the years that basketball truly grabbed a hold of the Hick from French Lick and didn't let go – to all our benefit. On this week's episode of "Havlicek Stole the Pod", your hosts address the likely imminent return of Tatum and what that means for Boston before we take a closer look at the new Bird tome with author Keith O'Brien. Make sure you tune in for one of the most packed episodes we have put out so far this season! Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jayson Tatum is playing 5-on-5 basketball again with the Boston Celtics, and fans of the team can almost feel his return to the court this season. But such a return is still, even now, not certain – nor is what will happen to the Celtics when he does. The surprise success of Boston in his absence (and that of Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis, while we're at it) might be the story of the season in the NBA. But how the Celtics respond to Tatum's return could very well be the story of the decade depending on how it pans out, good or bad. What can we expect from the St. Louis native when he does start playing again? How will Boston reintegrate the Duke alum into what has been a play style very different from what he has grown used to? How will Tatum and his costar on the wing Jaylen Brown share the load? And most importantly, could this team win it all with Taco Jay playing for them again? To assess the likely imminent return of Tatum to the Celtics, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with Ringer reporter and Real Ones cohost Howard Beck. We cover all the angles of JT's return from injury, get caught up on all the Celtics news of the week, and even check in on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers - Celtics rivalry. Check it out! Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

All-Star Week is now behind us, and the Boston Celtics and the wider NBA turn their attention to the stretch run and the postseason beyond. Which Eastern Conference ball clubs are contenders, pretenders, or somewhere further down the hierarchy of the East? Taking into account the moves made by these teams and their general health (and predilection for accumulating lottery odds while we're at it), the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took some time to assess the order of the Eastern Conference now that the dust has settled and we have some returns on the moves made around the conference. We also touch on one of the more interesting antitanking proposals we've come across, reflect on All-Star week itself, and make sense of the two signings made by Boston this week so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics and the NBA have taken the week off for the league's 2026 All-Star Week proceedings, opening the door for all manner of debates about how the league conducts business as is often the case in the absence of games that count to talk about. But with a few of those issues rising to greater prominence than usual for better or worse this season, some of these debates have become especially polarized.We are of course talking about the discourse surrounding gambling in the NBA, teams tanking more egregiously than ever. And the prospect of the Association expanding to 32 (or more!) teams! Did we mention the All-Star game is kind of a mess? With so much to talk about, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Gio Rivera of Celtics Blog. We take the pulse of these hot-button issues from a Celtics-leading point of view while we wait for Jaylen Brown to suit up for...(checks notes) one of the US teams as an All-Star starter for the first time in his career.Join us for a wide-ranging episode that might even have some novel ideas on how to solve at least one of these concerns.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2026 NBA trade deadline has passed and the dust has started to settle on the many moves made by the Boston Celtics and the rest of the league ahead of the annual cutoff on moving players between teams. This week, the Celtics dealt Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic, and then moved Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Josh Minott with only two way player John Tonje coming back. Did we mention that Boston got below the luxury tax without using a first round pick to get there from what would have been the costliest roster in the history of the league?While easing the pinch on Bill Chisholm's pockets may not get the attention of most Boston fans, the fact that these moves put the Celtics in position to go all-in on spending once they are out of the luxury tax repeater status the season after next ought to register some interest. And now the questions of why the Celtics made the moves they did at the deadline starts to come into focus. To get a better idea of which players might also be added to Boston's roster in the coming days and weeks, and what else Celtics fans should watch for in the medium term, "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with Third Apron founder and cap guru Yossi Gozlan.We also get caught up on the news, from the presser for Vooch and his debut, to what the White Noise head honcho has been up to in his offcourt adventures, so be sure to tune in.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics have traded former Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons for Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic, and the move has landed with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. On one hand, Boston was able to minimize the risk of losing Simons in free agency for nothing as an unrestricted free agent this summer while also creating a traded player exception (TPE) they can use down the road to add a long-term solution at the 5.Did we mention they also got a center who can play a style more amenable to a certain injured star forward than anything the Celtics had to work on their roster right now? We are of course referring to Jayson Tatum, who could benefit from a pick-and-pop center like Vucevic. But with the trade, Boston also loses an electric, capable young scorer some hoped might stick with the team for the long haul.The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took a moment to react to the trade soon after news broke. Check it out below to hear what they had to say about this unexpected move from the Celtics.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2026 NBA trade deadline is less than a week away, and the Boston Celtics will have some tough decisions to make ahead of it. Add in the news that star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum may actually NOT return this season after all, and what Boston's playoff picture (and what they should do to improve it) got a little murkier as a result.But some things remain constant, such as the Celtics needing an upgrade in their frontcourt, and some more ballhandling on the bench might also be a concern. At the same time, as teams increasingly negotiate through the media, we are hearing more reports tied to Boston than ever. What rumbles are worth paying attention to, and which should Celtics fans take with a grain (or a pile) of salt? This week, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Forbes and Hardwood Houdini's Bobby Krivitsky to talk ourselves through the glut of Celtics trade rumors, the Tatum news, and more.So be sure to tune in to get your bearings ahead of what might be a massive trade deadline for Boston – but could also be a relatively quiet one.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics have a tough decision to make ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline when it comes to whether they will retain the services of Anfernee Simons. The Celtics dealt for the former Portland Trail Blazers guard this offseason when they moved on from vet guard Jrue Holiday due to cap and perhaps age concerns.The assumption at that time was that Simons was likely to be a short-timer with the Celtics given his large, expiring contract and seemingly ill fit with Boston to start the 2025-26 NBA regular season. But since then, the Longwood, Florida native has found his niche off the bench with the Celtics, even helping the team to win a few games. How to decide whether Boston should keep him or trade him? To that end, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with "Third Apron" founder and cap guru Yossi Gozlan to host a mock trial on which way the Celtics could go with Simons at the deadline.This was a fun and informative exercise for us, so be sure to tune in to hear how the trial played out (no one is in jail now, mind you, though there's always a chance this could end with Boston in cap space prison).Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are there any realistic big man trade targets out there for the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline? The Celtics find themselves a ball club of note tied to a number of trade candidates just weeks before the last day in the league calendar teams can swap players. Some of them are sexy names with dubious availability and other concerns, like Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ivica Zubac of the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.Others are perhaps more likely to be dealt but not quite the impact players Zubac and Jackson are, like Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford, or former Celtics (and current Portland Trail Blazers) center Robert Williams III. Still more might be bargain options with upside like Brooklyn Nets big DayRon Sharpe, and there's plenty of names we aren't hearing that might be reasonably dealt for.The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took some time to look at the Boston big man rumor mill as well as look at some other options, and got caught up on news as well, so be sure to tune in.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NBA is roughly midway through the 2025-26 NBA season, and with that passage comes some clarity on what teams really are compared to what we thought they were heading into their current campaigns, particularly the Boston Celtics. Plenty of preseason and early-season narratives have become clearly incorrect, Others have emerged to take their place, but have yet to be proven -- and some will need the rest of the regular season and then some to test.We know the Celtics aren't tanking, ethically or otherwise, that Joe Mazzulla can coach developing players, and expect to see Jayson Tatum return from injury at some point in the regular season. And the question is no longer whether Jaylen Brown can lead a team, but how far, and with what individual accolades. But do the Celtics (and more specifically Brown) really get such a bad whistle? Does Joey Mazz have a shot at Coach of the Year (and does he care)? Most importantly, do we really think this is a contending team?To get a better view than just the media perspective, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with Richard White, Boston sports fan, and father to Celtics guard Derrick White. Don't miss this special pod where we, uh, contend with Boston Celtics narratives.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics have a top-five Most Valuable Player candidate in Jaylen Brown and have cracked home court advantage in the Eastern Conference standings. The San Antonio Spurs have made the Oklahoma City Thunder look mortal again, but also lost to the Brooklyn Nets. The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be frauds, and the hot start of the Detroit Pistons is slowing down while the Denver Nuggets are somehow staying afloat despite a number of injuries.At the midway point of the 2025-26 NBA regular season schedule, which teams are contenders, which are pretenders, and what do we think the Celtics are? To get some answers to these questions, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Oklahoma City Thunder Wire editor Clemente Almanza.We also touch on the big trade sending Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, the rumbles about Boston interest in Los Angeles Clippers big man Ivica Zubac, and more, so be sure to tune in.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics and the rest of the NBA are closing in on the midway point of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, and the players who signed new deals this offseason are becoming available to be dealt or will be soon. And with that, the rough outline of how the season might play out (and what teams can do to change those outcomes via trades) is coming into focus.Teams that don't have the horses to compete for titles will need to make hard choices under the current, punitive collective bargaining agreement (CBA), while others that are overachieving may need to decide whether their current successes are worth investing assets in. For the Celtics, what are the team's needs in the trade market? Bigs? Wings? Cutting salary regardless of the return? A mix of goals? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with HoopsHype's Cyro Asseo to talk about what Boston ought to do at the trade deadline, but also about wider trends in the league impacting the trade landscape and what other moves might be coming.We also get caught up on the news as Boston nears the end of the longest road trip of the season, so be sure to tune in.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers play each other twice this week, but the parallels between the two Eastern Conference ball clubs go beyond the home-and-away series. Both teams were seen as so-called 'gap year' teams heading into the 2025-26 NBA regular season after their stars Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton went down in the 2025 NBA Playoffs with Achilles tears.They are having very different seasons so far, but they both might be looking to trade for the same or similar players at the 2026 trade deadline -- and might even be able to find trades between themselves worth looking into. To get a read on the game between these teams on Friday, what we saw from them Monday, and what both teams might look to do to get better, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Kory Waldron of the "Full Access Hoops" podcast.We also cover the news around the Celtics and the NBA as per usual, so be sure to tune in to this week's episode!Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man Robert Parish has a reputation as one of the most guarded NBA stars of his era, and it is a not a reputation without merit, the intense criticism the Louisiana native went through early in his career set the tone for his stoic persona on and off the court. But in recent years, Parish has opened up to help tell the story of the team he won three of his four titles with -- and now, to tell his own story.Working alongside co-author Jacob Uitti, Chief (as the Celtics champion center was called for a nickname) Parish has given us an unprecedented window into his life and times as a key cornerstone of Celtics greatness in the 1980s in 'The Chief - the story of the Boston Celtics most enigmatic icon'. Parish doesn't stop there, though, diving deep into what came before he was dealt to Boston, and his historic longevity beyond the Celtics. From his earliest years picking up the sport, collegiate years, time on Team USA, and his later acts with the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls, this tome tells the full story of Parish and his Hall of Fame career.The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Uitti to talk about how the book came together, why Parish is opening up, and what we can expect to find in the bio of one of Boston's greatest stars, so be sure to tune in this week for a surprisingly rocking episode.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How did the Boston Celtics lose to the Milwaukee Bucks (and what is going on with Giannis Antetokounmpo)? The Celtics dropped a game to the Bucks this past Thursday (Dec. 11) night at Fiserv Forum to the tune of 116-101, and to make matters worse, Milwaukee was without their star forward, Antetokounmpo on the sidelines for the next several games at least while he rests a calf strain.How did it happen? Does it change our opinion about Boston's hot start? And what do we know about Giannis wanting out of Milwaukee? Will he end up in the East? What teams are realistic trade partners for the Bucks, and can Boston get in on the deal to bring back a good player? Most importantly, how would such trades impact the Celtics?The folks behind "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with "Gyro Step" podcast host Ti Windisch to talk all things Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics, so be sure to tune in (and don't miss the surprise announcement in this bonus pod)!Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics elected to take a season star forward Jayson Tatum would be out much or all of the campaign to rehab a torn Achilles tendon to retool the roster, get younger, cheaper, out of the second apron and towards dodging the repeater tax, knowing the team would part ways with much of the core they won a title with in 2024. But then something weird happened -- the Celtics kept winning games even with players like Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet playing for other teams.New additions like Josh Minott and Hugo Gonzalez exceeded expectations, and players like Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh have taken significant leaps with what they can do on the court, while vets like Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard are flourishing in larger roles. Did we mention Tatum may return sooner than may be expected? How does this growth change the future of the Celtics? Should they make a push for a title run now in light of all the above? How important is it to make sure the roster gets under the tax, and how should they approach the trade deadline? Boston's surprise success is to be praised, but with it come some hard decisions.To that end, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with CBS Sports analyst Sam Quinn to talk about the season so far for Boston, and how it may impact a series of interlinked decisions that were already complicated before the Celtics started looking so good. Tune in to hear our takes on what might come next -- and what we think the front office ought to do.Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics know as well as any ball club in the NBA the importance of keeping your star players healthy after losing star forward Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury that transformed their title window. But as we have seen around the NBA, it is not just Tatum dealing with serious injury this season. Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, and others are currently working their way back from the same injury, and many other star players are riding the pine while waiting for calf injuries to heal. But what if there was a way to change the way we prevent such injuries? What if it weren't just NBA athletes who could benefit from the techniques some of the greatest minds in sports medicine are currently honing, but all of us? That's where the guest for this week's episode of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" comes in -- TrueHoop's Henry Abbott. On this week's show, we dive into his new book, "Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance," and how sports science is showing us new ways to prevent injury to not only athletes, but everyone. We touch on everything from what exactly can be done to keep stars healthier to who is already making use of this tech -- and how it could impact Tatum's return to the court. We also cover the news around the Celtics and the league, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The holidays are upon us as the Boston Celtics gear up for one of the toughest stretches of their 2025-26 NBA regular season schedule, with games against some of the best Eastern Conference teams set to go down over the next week. And Thanksgiving falls right smack in the middle of that gauntlet for Boston. Will fans of the team be celebrating their success with a mighty feast, or drowning their sorrows in comfort food and family time? Either way, there's a lot to be thankful for if you are a fan of the Celtics, the NBA, or in general despite some general bleakness in the world these days. To that end, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" put together a special Thanksgiving-oriented episode to help us get through the festive gatherings and tough opponents ahead of Boston this week. We also get caught up on on the news, so grab some sides, settle in, and keep your fingers crossed while the Celtics remind us of at least some of what we should be thankful for. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The last time the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons crossed paths, the Celtics were seen as a team leaning into development for the season and the Pistons an interesting ball club projected to end up somewhere in the middle of a weaker Eastern Conference milieu. Then the two teams played, and Detroit center Jalen Duren had what then seemed like an outlier game with 24 points and 18 rebounds in a 119-113 Pistons victory Boston might have won had it been able to keep up on the boards. But as we near the end of the month of November and the two Eastern Conference clubs get ready to square off again, it's become clear both teams are better than many expected, and the Pistons especially so. Duren appears to have taken a major leap forward that compliments Cade Cunningham expertly, and while not on Detroit's level, Boston has shown they aren't trying to lose and might even make the actual playoffs come April. The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" got Motor City Hoops and Game Theory's Bryce Simon back on the pod to get us up to date on how Detroit has transformed their season and expectations with it, as well as getting an external set of eyes on how the Celtics have been playing of late. We of course preview their matchup and get caught up on news, so be sure to tune in this week. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics are the winningest team in the history of the NBA, and with that success comes a lot of historic moments that left indelible marks on our collective consciousness over the years. But with that success has also come a fair share of heartbreak that can only come from coming right up to the edge of winning it all and falling short. These are the sort of moments that famed NBA writer and cultural historian Shea Serrano evokes in his new tome "Expensive Basketball," out as of late October at anywhere books are sold (Serrano prefers you grab it at an independent store if you can), and as alluded to above, it is not without a significant Celtics presence. The Hick From French Lick (Larry Bird, to you youngsters) has a prominent presence, and plenty of moments Boston fans would also like to forget pepper the book, which you should already be making plans to buy even before listening to the latest episode of "Havlicek Stole the Pod". In it, the hosts sit down to talk about the book, how it came together, and why the sort of moments you just know are the expensive sort of basketball matter so much to us. We also get caught up on the news around the Celtics this week, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beset with shooting slumps early in the season, trying to play faster and struggling with the results, and running into issues integrating new players are early-season road bumps that the Boston Celtics are trying to contend with (pun unintended) to start their 2025-26 campaign, but we could also easily be talking about the surprisingly underwhelming start of the Orlando Magic this season as well. And these two Eastern Conference ball clubs will take the court at Kia Center this Friday, Nov. 7, to play a game included in the 2025 NBA Cup schedule. They will then follow it up with a rematch on Sunday, Nov. 9 as part of a home-and-home series hosted by the Magic. What's behind Orlando's rough start? Can the Celtics capitalize on their disjointed play to steal a win or two on the road? And what does the longer-term future hold for these teams based on what we've seen so far this season? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Rookie Wire editor Cody Taylor to talk about the team he covers and what's afflicting it to start 2025-26, and get caught up on all the important Celtics news to date. Be sure to tune in! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Injuries and the collective bargaining agreement are impacting the early seasons of the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets both, if in different ways. And these two teams will collide for the first time in the NBA's 2025-26 regular season this weekend as Boston hosts the Rockets at TD Garden this Saturday (Nov. 1). What can we expect from a Houston - Boston tilt without Fred VanVleet and Jayson Tatum? How are their respective seasons going so far -- and why? And what does a successful season look like for both ball clubs given what we know about each so far? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Rockets Wire editor Ben DuBose to talk over all things Celtics and Rockets, as well as getting caught up on all the important news making the rounds early in the season for Boston. We even discuss the odd coaching connections between the two cities even beyond Ime Udoka, the pros and cons of a buzz cut on NBA performance and why a Derrick White trade to Houston is not likely to happen, so be sure to tune in to this week's pod. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What have we learned about the Boston Celtics in their season opener vs. the Philadelphia 76ers? What things do they still need to work on? And what do we think about the Celtics season now that we have had our first look at how this version of the team on the court in games that count? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" wanted to take the pulse of the season now that we have the smallest of sample size to work with. To that end, they linked up with NBC Sports Boston's Max Lederman to talk all things Celtics, Sixers, and the season ahead, from better play from the big men than expected to the poor perimeter defense, rim protection, and frequent mistakes one might expect from a team in the midst of a retooling campaign. They also get into the news -- and boy is there some explosive news with regard to Scary Terry and co. -- as well as the historic debut we witnessed of Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe, so be sure to tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Preseason for the Boston Celtics has come and gone, and Opening Night for the NBA's 2025-26 regular season is coming soon. With it comes a tilt with the Celtics' Atlantic Division rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers, at a moment where neither team is on especially solid footing regarding their respective futures. We have a basic idea of what this version of the Celtics will play like after letting Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet go, but little clarity about how that will play out on the court. Much could be said for the Sixers as well, and Boston has about as tough of a two-week start beyond that with games vs. the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, and Cleveland Cavaliers before facing the 76ers again. To get a bead on what Boston should expect from Philly, whether Joel Embiid and Paul George will be healthy, and how the East might look to start the coming campaign, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Sixers Wire editor and friend of the pod Ky Carlin. We even touch on how Joe Mazzulla might have transformed media games around the NBA, so be sure to tune in while we wait for the season to start. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Boston Celtics have played their first preseason game of their 2025-26 campaign, and with it, we can begin to talk about how the roster looks on the court together for the first time. Playing as fast as they were billed to be, Boston showed they can play another style of basketball when the rawness of their talent base demands it. But they also showed some of the sloppiness and inexperience one might expect to see on a team with so few vets and so many new faces, hinting that there are still things to be ironed out even in the reduced expectations a retooling season brings. With that in mind, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with CelticsBlog contributor Mike Dynon to take stock of what we saw from the youth movement and the vets, as well as the remaining concerns we have about the roster. We also get caught up on the news while navigating some minor technical difficulties, so please be patient with any glitches while you tune in. Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Media day for the Boston Celtics has come and gone with the team upbeat about the season ahead, and training camp has started. What have we learned about this version of the team as we inch closer to preseason basketball, if anything? It is the norm for players to be optimistic about the season ahead at what serves as the first official team act of any NBA campaign (often, irrationally so), but one can often pick up subtle clues about the direction and plans of a ball club as well with a trained ear. Did the Celtics give us such clues about the season ahead? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took some time to sit down with Boston Dot Com's Khari A. Thompson to dive into everything we're hearing and seeing from media day and the first day of training camp, as well as what we've been hearing about how Boston alumni who have left the team are doing in their new homes. We even take the pulse of the New England Patriots along the way for good measure, so be sure to tune in while we wait for the Celtics to take on the Memphis Grizzlies in preseason action next week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.