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CelticsLife: your favorite team, your favorite blog, and now - your favorite podcast.

Celtics Life Podcast


    • Jan 16, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 270 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Celtics Life NBA Basketball Podcast

    C LAB 26: COVID, coup attempts and the NBA's last week

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 41:45


    In what can only be described as a historic week full of infamy, risk and the solace we find in sport, even that realm was rocked by turbulence of the typical and extraordinary. In this episode, we welcome back friend of the pod and NBA collective bargaining expert professor N. Jeremi Duru to talk everything from the seemingly growing COVID-19 crisis the league is facing to the attempted assault on the peaceful transfer of power that occurred in Washington D.C. on January 6th, 2021 - as well as what the role of athletes, the media and the academics who cover both are in a moment of unparalleled national tumult. We even get around to talking about the more quotidian side of the league and team we cover, addressing the Celtics' return to play in the shadow of the pandemic -- and of course the impact of a certain trade taking place with a certain team in the New York market. Join Alex Goldberg of Off the Glass and Justin Quinn of Celtics Wire as we dive in deep as we ever have -- we think this podcast an important one, and we hope it keeps some important conversations circulating in these uncertain times.

    CLAB 25: What to think of this roster six games in?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2021 73:49


    With a little less than ten percent of the 2020-21 NBA season having been played is it enough to say we have an idea of what this iteration of the Boston Celtics is or could become? With three wins and as many losses to both good and bad teams and a significant part of the rotation yet to suit up there are a lot of unanswered questions about this team. But we've also had a solid look at some new faces including some pleasant surprises. We've also seen some unexpected ugliness on both ends of the ball, and issues like bench scoring and capable depth don't look much better off than they did in the Disney bubble. Join Alex Goldberg (Off the Glass) Justin Quinn (Celtics Wire) and guests Sam Sheehan (ATO podcast) and Cory Waldron (Full Access Pacers podcast) as they break down the start of the season and what we ought to expect moving forward.

    CLAB 24: Assessing the top of the East from a Nets-Celtics perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2020 55:32


    The Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets are two franchises with unusually intertwined fates over the course of the last decade, and that entanglement hasn't lessened since the infamous deal that set the Celtics up for a post-Banner 17 future back in 2013. With former Celtic Kyrie Irving playing alongside superstar Kevin Durant, the balance of power between the clubs has shifted back in the other direction -- but will the basketball gods continue to favor Williamsburg's finest? With health a nagging issue for both teams in recent years and a potential James Harden trade perhaps tempting the Nets as much as the Celtics, the two teams just can't seem to snap that funky connection. To that end, we got together with Jac Manuel of Brooklyn Buzz and Nick Friar of our sister site Nets Wire to talk everything Nets-Celtics BUT the Christmas Day game -- and we had plenty of things to say. Join Cam Tabatabaie (Celtics Hub), Alex Goldberg (Off the Glass) and Justin Quinn (Celtics Wire) as we get our bearings on both teams for the 2020-21 season.

    CLAB 23: Predictions and projections for the Celtics' 2020-21 campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 84:12


    The Boston Celtics are set to embark on their 2020-21 NBA season with a preseason tilt against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, Dec. 15 with a number of questions swirling around the team regarding the readiness of several new members and the growth of multiple returning players. To that end, the team at Celtics Lab decided to try our hand at all things divinatory, with over an hour of predictions for the coming season, Boston's rookies, vets, and new signings. We dive into the team's potential to earn some hardware by the end of the season, and wrap things up with a review of the team's superlatives. Join us as Justin Quinn of Celtics Wire, Cam Tabatabaie of Celtics Hub and Alex Goldberg of Off the Glass take our best stab at what this team could become by the time the dust has settled on the 2021 NBA Playoffs in the latest episode of the Celtics Lab.

    CLAB 22: Talking Kemba's knee, media week and All-Time All-Stars with John Karalis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2020 60:31


    The Boston Celtics just wrapped up their media week, the annual event (usually just one day, under normal conditions) where the press gets a look at the team as it will look for the most part going into the coming season. This year, things are considerably different than they've been in years past, and for good reason. This is the first season where contention is not only on the plate but expected since the rebuild began more than a half-decade ago, and it's happening in the midst of a global pandemic -- both inflecting the event in their own important ways. But it's also the week we learned that starting point guard Kemba Walker will miss the first few weeks of the season or more as he builds up strength in and lets a stem cell injection help his often-balky knee. Just how worried should we be? We try to answer this very question with special guest John Karalis of Masslive and the "Locked on Celtics" podcast, who sticks around to tell us about his new book, "The Boston Celtics All-Time All-Stars - the best players at each position for the Cs". Join Alex Goldberg of Off the Glass and Justin Quinn of the Celtics Wire as they join John to talk all things media week, the newly-released 2020-21 schedule, and much more in this episode of Celtics Lab.

    CLAB 21: Taking stock of the new roster, and Boston's TPE options

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 47:18


    The Gordon Hayward era of the Boston Celtics has officially come to a close, with the biggest traded-player exception in NBA history going to the Celtics, and the Butler product to the Charlotte Hornets. With that move comes several others to spruce up the roster, such as the signings of big man Tristan Thompson and point guard Jeff Teague, two new rookies in Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard, and some familiar faces coming back on new deals. Join Cameron Tabatabaie of Celtics Hub, Alex Goldberg of Off the Glass and Justin Quinn of Celtics Wire as we get our bearings on the roster for the coming season. And stay for the discussion of how Boston might choose to make use of its TPE, what limitations it has, and how we feel about former Celtics stepping into the ring or onto the team's coaching staff with Nate Robinson and Evan Turner making their way back into Boston's offseason news cycle.

    CLAB 20: Predicting Hayward's decision and free agency preview with Jared Weiss

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2020 39:54


    With free agency kicking off at 6pm Friday, November 20th and Gordon Hayward a free agent, we recruited The Athletic's (and former Celtics Wire editor) Jared Weiss to help us sort through the unfolding chaos that is the Boston Celtics' offseason. With Celtics stalwarts Brad Wanamaker, Semi Ojeleye and Enes Kanter likely on the move, Vincent Poirier on his way to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tacko Fall and Tremont Waters likely to stay with the team, incoming draft picks and incomplete trades to consider on top of Hayward's critical situation, there's a lot of things on the plate to digest. Join Celtics Hub and Off the Glass' Cam Tabatabaie and Justin Quinn as we talk with Weiss about all the most important free agency rumbles finding their way to our ears this week.

    CLAB 19: Remembering Tommy Heinsohn & highly subjective draft thoughts

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 74:22


    We originally planned to talk out irrational gut feelings or overconfidence in 2020 NBA draft prospects ahead of Wednesday's big event, but a legend passed in the interim. With franchise icon Tommy Heinsohn's death arriving after a long absence from the team he never could stay far from, we instead chose to share our favorite memories of the Celtic giant. We're joined by Red's Army writer and resident historian Mike Dynon, who regaled us with a window into his early fandom watching the Hall-of-Fame player and coach move to the other side of the clipboard. We did manage to squeeze in at least some of the draft talk we'd initially planned to focus on afterwards as well. Join Off the Glass' Alex Goldberg, Celtics Hub's Cam Tabatabaie, Celtics Wire editor Justin Quinn and Celtics Lab's Mark Allison as we work out our nagging suspicions about the NBA draft.

    CLAB 18 - How does a $132m projected tax impact the NBA, Celtics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2020 46:05


    The NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) are reportedly on the cusp of a new agreement that will see a December 22nd start date to the 2020-21 season and a $132 million salary cap among several other pressing issues. What will the potential impact of such a cap situation on the league and with the Celtics as they try to assemble a contender ahead of the Christmas week start? Will they be able to afford keeping Gordon Hayward? Could the team one day have to say goodbye to Marcus Smart? How long could revenue shortfalls last, and what are ways they might be addressed? Join Cam Tabatabaie, Alex Goldberg and Justin Quinn as they sit down with HoopsHype and USA TODAY Sports Wire's in-house cap expert Yossi Gozlan as we try and divine the answers to these and several pressing questions for Boston and the NBA in this pod.

    CLAB 17: The longest season over, we look at the strangest draft

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2020 47:49


    With the longest season in league history behind us, the Boston Celtics and rest of the NBA turn their attention to the 2020 draft, sure to be among the most unusual ever held as well. With the pandemic hiatus changing how the combine works and our usual channels of gathering intelligence impinged upon in order to safeguard the health of a new cohort of prospects and league personnelle alike, getting a read on what players may end up where has never been a greater challenge. Luckily for us at the Celtics Wire, we've got access to the team at Rookie Wire, and to that end we borrowed one of the main minds behind their 2020 draft coverage, Bryan Kalbrosky. We break down the various draft strategies the Celtics might take, whether picking where they stand or trading up in a variety of scenarios, diving into a host of popular Boston pick projections -- and some sleepers who might surprise. This is one of the more informative pods out there on what the Celtics might be after, so be sure to check it out if the draft is a mystery -- or a beacon.

    CLAB 16: After the longest season, where does Boston go from here?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2020 35:42


    After the 2019-20 NBA season has finally come to a close, it's time to get our bearings on what's ahead for the Boston Celtics. We take a quick look back at the Eastern Conference Finals and the Los Angeles Lakers winning the title, as well as a quick survey of the draft and trade options that will await the Celtics once they can begin making moves. We also take a look back to some of the Celtics who have left the team over the last few seasons to check in on how they're doing as well.

    CLAB 15: Previewing the Miami-Boston Eastern Conference Finals

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2020 33:23


    The Boston Celtics survived the Toronto Raptors only to collide with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Their third trip to this stage in four seasons, we break down what we ought to be expecting from our Floridian foes in the team's quest to hang Banner 18. Join Topher Lane, Alex Goldberg, Cam Tabatabaie and Justin Quinn as they dive into the coming series while getting us up to speed on all the other playoff action.

    CLAB 14: Taking stock of the NBA restart post-strike with N. Jeremi Duru

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 37:44


    With the Boston Celtics and the NBA working their way through the impact of a historic wildcat strike sparked by the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a range of interconnected issues has surged to the fore in talk about the league, its Disney bubble restart, and the role of sport in race relations among many others.Ahead of that Disney restart, Celtics Lab reached out to Professor N. Jeremi Duru, author of "Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL" and an expert on sports law and its intersection with race to talk the league's negotiated commitment to racial justice.In that conversation, we discussed the types of interventions the NBA could make as part of that agreement, and strategies players could use to hold the league to that commitment up to and including sch a strike.Now that one has come to pass and the season appears to have weathered the accompanying storm -- at least for the moment -- we decided to reconvene to take stock of the momentous occasion, and what it could mean for the league going forward.

    CLAB 13: Talking the 76ers - Celtics first-round matchup with Anna Horford

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2020 27:20


    With the Boston Celtics set to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2020 NBA Playoffs for the third time in three seasons, a Sixers - Celtics postseason series is becoming something of a tradition again. This time however, there's an awkward new twist -- Al Horford is a 76er, facing his old team for the first time in the playoffs. To that end, we put together a crossover pod with Ky Carlin, the editor of Sixers Wire, and a very special guest able to speak to that awkwardness better than anyone save Al himself, Anna Horford. Join Justin Quinn and Josh Coyne of Celtics Lab as we talk everything from Al's role against his former team to the vagaries of British English and the unusually gruff style of Philly fandom.

    CLAB 12: Examining the NBA's racial justice plans with N. Jeremi Duru

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2020 35:33


    In this podcast, hosts Cam Tabatabaie and Justin Quinn speak with special guest Professor of Law N. Jeremi Duru of American University's Washington College of Law and author of "Sports Law and Regulation: Cases and Materials", "The Business of Sports Agents" and "Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL," to talk about the NBA's commitment to racial justice in the Disney restart. We talk everything from jersey slogans, anthem protests, and Len Bias to general strikes -- be sure to bring a snorkel, because this episode goes DEEP.

    CLAB 11: The NBA is back and headed to the bubble soon -- but should it be?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 37:09


    The NBA is back with actual games of the 2019-20 NBA season scheduled once again. Teams are gearing up to head to the Disney-hosted bubble taking place in Florida next week, and conversation is already starting to shift towards sports again.But should it?Join Cam Tabatabaie of Celtics Hub, Justin Quinn of Celtics Wire and Alex Goldberg of Off the Glass as we take as deep a dive as we feel comfortable on the ethics of reopening the NBA, and for those of you less prone to wax philosophical about such a serious issue, we DO talk about the restart, schedule and playoffs as well.

    CLAB 10: When things fall apart: sports in times in crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020 48:05


    In this episode of Celtics Lab, we talk about how we're adapting to one of the more chaotic moments in US politics in decades -- if not ever -- with nationwide protests and a pandemic that have transformed our quotidian engagement with sports. To that end, we spoke with anthropologists Frances Sutton and Dr. Jeff Cohen, Authors of "Why Are Sports Fans So Bereft Without Live Games?" to discuss these vital topics from an anthropological angle.

    CLAB 009: The future of the cap, restarting the season and more

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 82:19


    In this episode of Celtics Lab, we have a special roundtable on the future of the cap in an uncertain moment of NBA history. We spoke with Early Bird Rights' Jeff Siegel, SB Nation's Ricky O'Donnell, Vik Chokshi, formerly of The Big Lead and Derek Spallone of Spallone Sports on how the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and several other teams around the league will be looking to manage cap and contention concerns among other issues.We also get into the growing drumbeat of restarting the 2019-20 NBA season at Disney, Paul Pierce inserting himself into a variety of debates, put The Last Dance to bed and more.

    CLAB 008: How the pandemic is changing our consumption, production of sports

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2020 42:45


    This pod, we dive into how the coronavirus pandemic has changed our engagement with sports. Whether from the perspective of fans, with history, interviews and well-intentioned if snooze-worthy events like H-O-R-S-E, or from the perspective of content producers, we discuss what NBA basketball and Boston Celtics coverage looks like in the era of COVID-19, and what we can expect in the future. Join Justin Quinn and Cam Tabatabaie along with guest Nick Friar of the Nets Wire as we talk about the state of the sport, the news and more.

    CLAB 007: How COVID-19 could change the NBA & unsung heroes of the rebuild

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2020 38:52


    This episode, we break down the various ways the Boston Celtics and NBA could see changes in the short term due to the coronavirus pandemic. We also look back at some of the unsung heroes of Boston's last rebuild, holding a draft for an imaginary 3-on-3 tournament in the style of the Big3.

    CLAB 006: Back from hiatus to fill the COVID-19 basketball void

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2020 52:34


    We're back from a long hiatus to help fill the space in our lives left by the suspension of basketball at all levels caused by the coronavirus pandemic causing turmoil in all of our lives. Join Cam Tabatabaie, Matt Esposito and Justin Quinn as we talk how our lives have changed due to COVID-19, our thoughts on the season before it was interrupted, and what we think the future will hold for basketball and the wider world.

    CLAB 005: The Kyrie Conundrum -- deconstructing popular narratives about the divisive player

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2019 56:37


    Ahead of the aborted reunion with his former team, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving finds himself at the nexus of several popular narratives circulating in the NBA and especially Boston Celtics media sphere. The Nets have struggled early while Boston has exceeded expectations in Kyrie's absence; to what extent is his presence (or lack thereof) responsible? Is he hard to get along with? Does he need a certain roster makeup to succeed? And speaking of absences, does the Duke product take games off when facing former teams at home? Join Justin Quinn and Cam Tabatabaie as they link up with the Brooklyn Buzz' Jac Manuel as we try to get to the hard data behind (or not) these talking points.

    CLAB 004: From Kimball to Kemba -- Boston's UConn connections over the decades

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2019 38:42


    Despite being the twin towers of New England basketball, the two northeastern powerhouses share a surprisingly small degree of overlapping players over the last half-century. But, those former UConn Huskies who HAVE played for the Celtics have usually left an impression -- and in recent years, some very big ones. Join Justin Quinn as he catches up with friend of the pod and UConn Today editor Tom Breen to talk all things Celtics-Connecticut -- and apologies for the occasional glitch.

    CLAB 003: Predicting the coming season from the opener to the Finals w/ 76ers pod Garbage Into Gold

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2019 72:05


    Preseason is over, and the 2019-20 NBA regular season is nearly upon us! Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they talk about the finalization of the roster, a look back to who shined in camp, and early returns from preseason before jumping into the lab for a special crossover. There, we're joined by Garbage Into Gold's 76ers specialists Brandon Apter and Jesse Larch as we team up to provide some outside views on each team's strengths, weaknesses, and potential. It's exactly the kind of deep dive you expect from the Lab, so get ready to hear about everything you need to know about each team's coming season...and more importantly, basketball that actually counts.

    CLAB 002: Talking Team USA, Team Shamrock, & trades with TradeNBA.com's Zach Rodriguez

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2019 34:26


    In the lab for this pod, we have TradeNBA.com's Zach Rodriguez on to talk with Justin Quinn about his soon-to-drop changes to his trade checker. Already one of the sport's most popular, Zach breaks down all the new features he's added since he last came n the pod, as well as the changes on their way for the coming season. We also talk on Team USA's lackluster performance, and where blame, if any, should be laid.

    CLAB 001: What are the pros and cons of Team USA play for the Boston Celtics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2019 28:20


    Is the Team USA Breakout a real thing? And if so, is it worth it? This pod, Justin Quinn is on a solo mission to convince you that there actually ARE tangible benefits from NBA players participating in FIBA World Cup play, and that its enough to justify the risk of injury...to a point. Buckle up for a deep dive into the data behind bumps and breakouts in performance after exposure to Team USA play.

    CLAB 000 - Rebooting the Celtics, the league and the podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2019 68:41


    Welcome inside the Lab! After three years with our friends at CelticsLife, we decided to go completely independent to go in a new direction. That direction, of course, is to follow our favorite team into deeper dives and compelling interviews weekly podcasts simply don't have the space for. We're striving to provide something you won't find elsewhere, so expect a slightly more erratic schedule of pod releases while we search for the stories and guests worth more than a five-minute segment.For our soft launch, we decided to discuss TWO such deep dives (we'll usually have some brief current news before wherever we decide to go for the focus of each pod), feeling we needed to take stock of all of this summer's moves and how they could pan out next season, as well as a bigger-picture look at player movement and other pressing issues related to the league as a whole. We hope you dig the new name and format, and welcome any feedback on what you like -- or don't.

    CL Pod 103: Free agency's start for Boston and the rest of the league

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2019 49:24


    We knew the week would be a wild one with almost half the league up for free agency, but even in the thick of things, surprises kept coming, with the worst-kept of them -- Kemba Walker's interest in the Boston Celtics -- making Sunday night more pleasant than many were expecting even a week ago. A few days into the summer free agency period, the shape of the league in 2019-20 is starting to come into focus, but in ways few people would have guessed. Sign-and-trades, usually a rarity, abounded, while at least one big fish -- Kawhi Leonard -- still hasn't made up his mind. Tampering galore and surprise moves highlighted the early action, and the bulk of double-digit million contracts are already inked. Join Cam Tabatabaie and Mark Allison as they break down all the moves Boston made so far, and how the league they'll be facing could look come training camp.

    CL Pod 102: In Danny We Trust? Trying to divine which way Ainge will pivot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2019 49:34


    After Anthony Davis became the latest superstar to slip by the Boston Celtics, triggering an exodus of Boston's premier talent and leaving fans wondering what exactly Danny Ainge's plan might be, we thought it wise to take stock of the team's free agency options in light of the team's selections in the 2019 NBA Draft. Are Kemba Walker, Nikola Vucevic or Steven Adams realistic options in free agency? If not, who might be? Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they break down the possibilities from likely to "pinch me", as well as sharing their thoughts on Boston's new crop of rookies and other news around the league.

    CL Pod 101: Shining a light on the rumors and bad info of silly season

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2019 60:08


    The Boston Celtics are in a most unenviable position, with years of hard work potentially threatened by their star players potentially leaving in free agency, with their best bet of retaining them tied to trading for a player who may himself leave in free agency next summer.Will Kyrie Irving and Al Horford stay? Will the Cs be able to trade for the New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis? Will Danny Ainge go ahead and trade for Davis even if Boston can't return Irving and Horford? Could Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson's injuries impact the future plans of Boston's free agents? What might their options be to improve the team in any of these scenarios?With so much at stake for Boston in the coming days and weeks, and SO much misinformation out there regarding trade and signing rules and the limits they place on teambuilding, we thought it wise to invite Ryan Bernardoni on the show, better known to most Celtics fans as @Dangercart on Twitter, where he is regularly doing Red's work by helping casual fans and media alike out with his legendary cap knowledge.We also cover the big news since our last pod, from the Toronto Raptors' first NBA championship to the injuries of the Golden State Warriors and how it could re-shape the league, all the way to where it looks like Kyrie might be headed and who will likely win the AD trade sweepstakes. So buckle up, hit play, and let Mark Allison and Justin Quinn help you sort through all the madness that's been unleashed in this already-crazy offseason. Apologies in advance for the occasional drop in sound quality, but we think you'll love this episode just the same.

    CLP 100: The future of the Eastern Conference, supermax impacts & more

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2019 47:07


    The landscape of the East might look radically different come fall, and there's so many moving parts it can get dizzying at times. With the Toronto Raptors in the Finals, will Kawhi stay? Will Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris stay with the Philadelphia 76ers? Could another East team steal away Kyrie Irving or trade for Anthony Davis? Will ANYONE be able to trade for Anthony Davis? And could supermax contracts (or the threat of some players qualifying for them) shake a few surprises loose just to complicate things further? Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they try to sort through the chaos.

    CLPod 99: What comes next? A deep dive into the draft lottery, team-building, and more

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2019 57:31


    The offseason is finally, mercifully upon us, and taking stock of the Boston Celtics' future is in order. Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they make sense of the results of the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery in relation to summer trade and signing opportunities, as well as team-building options more generally. They also give individual grades to the entire organization based on last season's performance, and even take a glance at some potential draft prospects and how the Conference Final struggles are shaping up.

    CLP 98: One foot out the door, the Cs face elimination by the Bucks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2019 40:41


    For those few optimists among us, you may want to skip this pod. The Boston Celtics are on the brink of elimination by the Milwaukee Bucks, down three games to one, and there's plenty of blame to go around. Kyrie Irving has justifiably earned the ire of many a Cs fan in this series and season, and coach Brad Stevens certainly not without at least some blame. But who else has led us to this dark and dire place? Or, rather, NOT led us? Is there any hope left to salvage in this postseason run? What might be coming down the pike after it ends? Join Topher Lane and Mark Allison as they break down their thoughts on all this and more in this week's CL Pod.

    CLP 97: Celtics-Bucks preview & a look at the rest of the second round

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2019 50:32


    The first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs are nearly in the books, and the Boston Celtics are slated to face the league-best Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Semifinals after a sweep of the Indiana Pacers.How will Boston contain (or at least slow) Giannis Antetokounmpo? What kinds of matchups and rotations will we see? Will Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon be able to return in time to impact the series? If Boston can get past the Bucks, who might they face in the Conference Finals and beyond? Join Cam Tabatabaie and Justin Quinn as they try to answer these questions and more in this week's CL Pod.

    CL Pod 96: First returns from the 2019 Playoffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2019 40:25


    With every series in the 2019 NBA Playoffs underway, we take a look at the landscape along the Boston Celtics path to the Finals. We also talk about injuries, from Marcus Smart's recovery timeline to Aron Baynes evident lack of one, and even touch on the coaching search (and dumpster fire) going on with the Los Angeles Lakers organization, and how it could affect Boston's summer plans. So, join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn for all this and more on this week's CL Pod.

    CL Pod 95: As the regular season ends, a look at the playoffs, draft & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2019 38:29


    We're entering the final stretch of the 2018-19 NBA season, and for Boston Celtics fans, the playoffs cannot get here soon enough. With hopes for a blockbuster regular season long ago left behind in the hopes that the team has been keeping the powder dry for the postseason, Mark Allison and Justin Quinn try to divine what the team will look like on the court in a few weeks, as well as a quick look into some of the NBA Draft's more interesting prospects. Who might the Cs face, and how will they manage rotations? Who will fill the final roster slot heading into the playoffs, and who might they draft this summer? Scroll down, hit play, and listen to hear our thoughts on these and many other topics.

    CLP 94: IT returns, BOS stumbles & the playoff seeding becomes clearer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2019 26:45


    For the slow month of March, the Boston Celtics are finding ways to stay busy, and not all of the results are so great. But the fundamentals of play missing at the start of the season are becoming more consistent despite the unfavorable results over the last few games, which should give fans a shred of hope as the regular season winds down. And with that winding down comes some clarity regarding what Boston's postseason will look like in terms of seeding and opponents. Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they break down all of the above, IT's return, dropping a game to the Philadelphia 76ers, and a lot more.

    CL Pod 93: Boston's rounding into form as the playoffs loom

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2019 31:19


    The Boston Celtics are finally flirting with playing like the team most of us expected at the start of the season, with something resembling chemistry producing a much better version of the team on the court. They have struggled significantly as they have sought to cement a consistent identity as much as they have a consistent approach to games, but recent off-court activity on the now-complete west coast road trip have gone a long way with calming those concerns.At the same time, longtime rivals Los Angeles Lakers are facing potential disaster, as LeBron James' arrival has failed to produce measurable improvement, and has had a negative impact on team chemistry in the wake of failed Anthony Davis trade machinations, while one of their brightest prospects faces a life-threatening malady. Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they discuss these issues and the remaining schedule of the season, getting us up to speed on all the above and more in this week's CL Pod.

    CLP 92: A little catharsis in the midst of big disappointment

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2019 41:35


    This Boston Celtics squad continues to find ways to disappoint, and we fans are starting to check out. As we begin to move on from the underwhelming regular season performances we're regularly being given, Topher Lane and Justin Quinn have it out, voicing their frustrations in the hopes that it either brings catharsis, or makes us look like the cretins we probably are in a few months. We somehow find a way to talk about how the team can still improve, and take a quick look at the schedule ahead, doing our best to stay positive in a very negative stretch.

    CL Pod 91: Post-Deadline team assessment: taking stock of the rest of the season

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2019 35:16


    The dust has settled on the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline, and Anthony Davis is NOT a Los Angeles Laker. That's far from the only thing that (didn't) happen, however, as multiple East teams improved their rosters for the playoffs, and teams in the Western Conference made moves that may impact the Boston Celtics incoming draft picks this summer. The Cs even made a minor but potentially impactful move by opening up a roster slot able to be filled with any of several interesting options on the buyout market. Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they sort through all the week's past action, and try to divine the team's short and longer-term plans as well.

    CL Pod 90: Is AD coming? Kyrie gone? Making sense of this madness

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2019 35:19


    We'll excuse you if you feel like you're not sure if you're coming or going after the onslaught of Silly SZN, the as the week before the NBA Trade Deadline is sometimes called. We hear from cold-blooded killers to stay calm and things will be OK, but have the devil in our ear telling us not only the megastar we've been after for years is slipping from our grasp, but that he might take our current star player with him. Which is it? We'd be lying to you if we said we had answers, but Topher Lane and Justin Quinn sit down to talk all this nonsense, and try to make their best guesses. We also talk the All-Star Game, the Boston Celtics' improved play, and a whole lot more.

    CL Pod 89: Post-Kyrie leadership epiphany, Cs continue their winning ways

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2019 62:34


    After very-public fissures appeared in the Boston Celtics after yet ANOTHER regression to sub-standard play, and an even more public leadership epiphany from star point guard Kyrie Irving, the Celtics continue to win. Is it a change in mindset that's making the difference? Communication? Style of play? Join Cam Tabatabaie and Justin Quinn as they gingerly tip-toe around whether the change is for real, what they think is behind it, and the schedule ahead, as well as All-Star voting returns, the pros and cons of Marcus Smart's intensity, and more. We even get a chance to talk with UK correspondent Josh Coyne about this year's London Game, how the NBA continues to grow overseas, and of course, the (sad) state of the rivalry that maybe never was with the Washington Wizards through the eyes of Markieff Morris, Marcus' twin brother.

    CL Pod 88: A tale of two Celtics, or, consistent inconsistency

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2019 35:13


    It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, all in a little over a week. The Boston Celtics have played world-beater and whimperer as their best selves gave us a look at what they can do to teams like the Indiana Pacers, while also showing how little they can give each other against teams like the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets. What's the deal? Who will be seeing come April, and will the seeding have gotten so bad it won't matter? Who is to blame for the bad, and who deserves credit for the good? What are Boston's immediate and longer-term priorities given all of this? Join Topher Lane and Justin Quinn as they try to make sense of this complicated and often-frustrating team as we cross the season's halfway point.

    CL Pod 87: New Year, New Celtics? Boston might just be figuring it out

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2019 35:49


    A new year has arrived, and with it, a chance for the Boston Celtics to put early struggles behind them. Join Topher Lane and Justin Quinn as they talk about the improved team play overall in recent weeks, as well as breakout performances from Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and more. We even debut our locally-sourced, recently-updated Celtics drinking game for those of you in need of some Bostonian-themed inspiration for the next big game.

    CL Pod 86: The Hospital Celtics are back, & this time, it sucks

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2018 28:13


    Banged up and undermanned, the Boston Celtics are dealing with another unpleasant losing streak. After dropping a game to the Milwaukee Bucks, the team had an extended meeting to address the recent spate of losses. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? How long IS this tunnel going to be? What needs to happen to turn things around, and how soon can we expect to see results? Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they discuss all these issues, some perpetually recurrent trade rumors, and a whole lot more.

    CL Pod 85: Back in the saddle again, the Cs make history

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2018 26:01


    After opening the season something of a mess on the offensive end of the court, the Boston Celtics have turned the ship around, with gusto.Not only have they gone from one of the league's worst teams in terms of putting points up, but have morphed into one of the league's most elite offensive units over the last five games. Even when missing multiple key players due to minor injuries and illness, they have still found ways to keep winning, owning the league's longest win streak. They even made history against the Chicago Bulls, breaking several league and franchise records in that 56-point victory. Join Mark Allison and Justin Quinn as they cover the offensive renaissance, and try to forgive Justin's microphone, which somehow sounds like he's talking through an old vinyl record.

    CL Pod 84: Is it premature to be positive about these Celtics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2018 34:09


    The Boston Celtics had themselves a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the offense clicking after some much-overdue starting lineup tinkering. Does that single game show us enough positive things that we can relax about the team's 10-10 start? Should we even worry about the start at all? Plenty of teams have done as bad or worse and made the postseason, some even as far as the finals. Join Luis Gonzalez and Topher Lane as they debate the current state of the green and white, as well as catch up on Boston-relevant news around the league.

    CL Pod 83: It ain't easy being green

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2018 40:17


    First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the CelticsLife crew.There's not a whole lot to be thankful for lately as a Celtics fan, but Topher Lane and Justin Quinn try their best to take the long view yet again, looking at Boston's rough start and the options out there that might be a solution. We had some technical issues, so apologies about the subpar audio, and we recorded this before the New York Knicks debacle. so take what we have to say with a grain of salt. We're inching back towards the precipice ourselves, so let us know why we shouldn't take the next ticket onto the Panic Bus in the comments below, or maybe help us calm down a bit, because the Cs sure as hell aren't.

    CLPod 82: The Jimmy Butler trade, a break in the schedule & NBA conspiracies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2018 51:36


    This week, things are changing in the Atlantic Division, with Jimmy Butler heading to the Philadelphia 76ers. How will it affect the Boston Celtics? Will it work out? Who's the "winner" of this deal, if anyone? The slate of games for the Cs finally relaxes a bit after a murder's row to start the season, and there's other movement of note around the league to take into consideration. Join Topher Lane and Justin Quinn as they break down all of the news of the week, and even dabble in a little NBA conspiracy talk as some unusual coincidences spark some reflection on the league's tin foil hat topics.

    CL Pod 81: Reports of Terry Rozier's departure are premature, & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2018 38:26


    This week, Topher Lane and Mark Allison try to make sense of the rumors swirling around a one Terry Rozier, as well as the lingering rust the Boston Celtics are slowly shaking off early in the season. They break down the team's recent games, including whether Jayson tatum might need to re-evaluate his shot selection, and even take a look at how some former Celts we'll see playing against their former team this week.

    CL Pod 80: The Cs are back in the saddle, the Sox won the series & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2018 21:04


    The Boston Celtics are back on their game, and while they have some kinks left to work out, the team we expected to be watching this season is showing up, and it's noticeable.And it's not just the Celtics who are looking good, with the Boston Red Sox having just won a World Series, and the Celts will face the league's last remaining undefeated team, the Milwaukee Bucks, on Thursday for what will likely be the team's biggest test of the season to date. This week, Mark Allison and Justin Quinn get into all these issues and more, ranging from cannabis' future as medicine in the league to Tyronn Lue's firing from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Robert Williams' surprising early development, and even a cameo by the Evil Emperor himself.

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