Celtics Life Nba Basketball Podcast

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 BenJaminBang

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 Bull

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://ti

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 th

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

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.e

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 t

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 toge

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

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 tun

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 b

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 Ca

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

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

What should we expect from the Boston Celtics veterans this season? Much attention has rightfully been focused on the incoming and existing members of the roster who will be developmental projects for the season ahead, and rightfully so, given the importance of making the most out of this so-called "gap" year for the Celtics. But while finding a diamond in the rough or two is important, keeping the winning culture of the team strong while continuing to expand the roles and capabilities of the vets should also be a significant part of the season ahead. What will that look like on a more granular level when talking about surefire starters like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White? What about players who may see their roles from past seasons and contexts change, like Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Chris Boucher, and Xavier Tillman Sr.? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Forbes and Hardwood Houdini Celtics beat writer Bobby Krivitsky to talk through what we expect to see from Boston's v

While there may yet be games to be played in this summer's FIBA EuroBasket tournament, for Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta and his Portuguese National Team, the ride has come to an end. But Queta and Portugal literally made history together, with the latter having one of the best EuroBasket debuts in the history of the event vs. the Czech National Team on the way to Portugal's first tourney win in EuroBasket play as well. The Lisbon native of course kept up the impressive play while picking up another W vs. Estonia, and held his own against several NBA big men in the tourney. What can his play in EuroBasket tell us about his future with the Celtics next season? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with YouTuber and league analyst NikNBA to talk over what he's seen from Queta in EuroBasket play in terms of expanding his game -- and more importantly for Celtics fans, what might translate to the league he plays in with Boston. Check it out below! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.a

There might yet be weeks to go before the Boston Celtics and the rest of the NBA start their training camps, but that doesn't mean the news cycle is slow. In fact, we still have Boston big man Neemias Queta and his Portuguese National Team staying in the mix in FIBA EuroBasket play, some hints that the free agency gridlock keeping vet Celtics alum Al Horford from signing with the Golden State Warriors may soon relax, and a HUGE scandal brewing in the wider NBA. That scandal, which alleges that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his team colluded to create a no-show endorsement gig for Kawhi Leonard to pay him more than the cap allows, could have wide-ranging impacts on the entire Association. To get an idea how this significant cap kerfuffle might impact the Celtics and the rest of the league, cohosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over, along with the rest of the news still reaching us at this late date in the offseason. Check it out! Hosted

How is the NBA's Western Conference looking in a likely down season for the Boston Celtics? Did the Celtics miss a chance to capitalize on the parity era and a weaker West by downshifting their roster after Jayson Tatum got hurt? Or is the Western Conference looking tougher than ever, making it a good moment to retool Boston's roster for the future? To try to get a handle on how the league's West standings may look by the end of the 2025-26 regular season, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with Thunder Wire editor Clemente Almanza. We give our over-under projections for the West based on preseason projections and the moves each team have (and in some cases, have not) made, as well as touching on the trickle of news still making the rounds late in the month of August. Tune in to join us as we get our collective bearings on how the Western Conference may look come April 2026 in what might turn out to be a very turbulent season on that side of the standings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company

Who are the greatest Boston Celtics villains of all time? With the Celtics being the NBA's winningest franchise in terms of both titles and regular season games won, there is no shortage of players, coaches, and execs who have wanted to see Boston fail over the years, preferably at their expense. But there have also been some high profile examples of Celtics betrayal from people inside the storied ball club sticking a proverbial knife into the back of the team. And there are plenty of examples of players who aspired to be Celtics villains, but couldn't quite pull off the status for any number of reasons. There are even some who are entirely miscast in such a role, yet keep getting mentioned as such. To get to the bottom of this important historical debate/peak offseason content, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with Boston-based actor and longtime friend of the pod Evan Turrisini, who has developed the most scientific approach to determining Celtics villainy we have yet come across. Check it

The ownership of the Boston Celtics has officially changed hands from Wyc Grousbeck and his Boston Basketball Partners, LTD. group to Bill Chisholm's semi-eponymous Chisholm Group, the Celtics have made a pair of signings, and the NBA's 2025-26 regular season schedule is out in a busy August week of news. What changes now that Chisholm is in charge of the Celtics? Why did Boston wait so long to sign two way big man Amari Williams? Will Ron Harper Jr. parlay his Exhibit 10 deal into another tour with the Maine Celtics, or does he have a shot at making the team? And how is Boston's start to their retooling campaign looking? Between this late spurt of activity in the midst of what is usually the NBA's summer doldrums and a surprisingly long list of Celtics villains, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" have a feast of late offseason podcasts for you to sink your teeth into. Part one of this week's fare focuses on the news with hosts Daniel Donabedian, Justin Quinn, and Alex Goldberg, so check it out in this epi