April 17, 2025 • 21 mins
It’s a big week ahead for the Celtics, and we’ve got everything you need to know 👀 Meghan Ottolini and Drew Carter break down the top plays from the past week and then jump ahead to Boston’s game-of-the-year matchup with the new-look Lakers. Taylor Snow delivers the latest Taylor Made Stats, including Jayson Tatum’s historic pre-27 numbers and a milestone moment for Tatum and Derrick White as sharpshooting teammates. Plus, we sit down for an exclusive interview with Torrey Craig, getting to know the new Celtic wing on a deeper level. We meet another new Celtic, Miles Norris, a two-way forward with New England ties, who expresses his excitement about joining the C’s in our Small Bites segment. Finally, we look ahead to some other key matchups on the horizon as part of our seven-game homestand.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Coming up on this edition of Celtics Weekly, we preview
the matchup of the season as the Lakers come to town.
Get to know Boston's new wing Tory Craig and the
seas sign a two way player with new England ties.
All that and more. Now welcome into Celtics Weekly, where
(00:32):
we catch you up with everything the world champs Celtics.
Megan Atlini here with Drew Carter of NBC Sports Boston.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
What a show we have for you.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
We've got new Celtics, We've got legendary Celtics getting older.
Keep an eye on this cake. If you're familiar with
the narrative concept of Chekhov's Gun, just keep an eye
on this cake during the show.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
How are you doing, Drew, Well, if it's your first
time watching, Welcome and now you know everything you need
to know about Megan because you get a Chekhov's gun
reference within fifteen seconds of the start. NERD alert, maybe
even a bigger nerd than Taylor Snow.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Well educated. Taylor Snow will also be in the show.
But we got to keep moving because where else do
we start this week? But our hot topic, which is
the La Lakers come in to town, eight thirty pm
Saturday night. The Lakers are eleven and two since trading
for Luka Doncic. They are now the number two seed
(01:24):
in the Western Conference. Lebron James just one Western Conference
Player of the Month at forty and most.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
A present to me, Drew.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Is that this team has the second best defensive rating
in the entire NBA.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
And that's after.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Getting Lucas Yeah, and getting rid of Anthony Davis.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Right, make it make sense when you trade Anthony Davis
for Luka Doncic, how does your defense get better?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
I mean there are some theories out there.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Maybe Anthony Davis was freelancing a little bit. Now they
have more structure and JJ Reddick can you know, get
in his coaching bag with his defensive schemes. You mentioned,
they're eleven and two since they made the trade. Luca
missed the first four of those games, so I don't
know if they were reaching juvenated or if Lebron feels
more empowered now that he's got a running mate or
didn't have it for those first four games. But those
guys are playing so well together. Luca wasn't even shooting
(02:09):
the ball very well when he first got there. He's
still shooting about forty percent from the field as a Laker,
but you see him starting to get more comfortable as
the games go by. They're up to second place in
the Western Conference after they were looked like they were
going to be a playing team for the first few
months of the season. So as much as we hate
to show love to the Lakers on a Celtics show,
they've been playing some really good basketball.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I'm curious from you because the Celtics obviously know Luca
pretty well from the finals last year.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
How do the Celtics match.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Up with this specific version of the Lakers now with
Luca in there.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Well, I think it's the perfect team to try to
defend the Lakers, especially Luca. We saw what happened in
the finals last year. Now, Luca, I think was gas
after carrying them to the finals. But you have a
a bunch of guys to throw at him when he
has the ball, and be a bunch of guys to
throw at him when he's trying to defend, and that's
really when you can wear him down. So if the
Celtics have you know, Jaylen Brown defending him and then
Jalen going at him on the other end, obviously Jason
(03:03):
Tatum doing the same thing. And then maybe you know
d White and Drew Holliday get a crack at him
on the other side. Hopefully you know Drew will be healthy.
Maybe we don't know, but I think he's obviously a problem.
And when you when you pair Lebron and Luca, you've
got two like basketball somants, two of the highest IQ's
in the NBA, and they're obviously vibing really well. The
(03:25):
schedule maybe a little bit lighter for them since they
got Lucas, so maybe it's a little bit smoking mirrors,
but there's no doubt they're playing super well.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
So it'll be a fun game.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Absolutely Saturday night at the Garden. Can't beat it. So
six went two and one over the last week. Let's
get into our plays of the week. This is where
we give you all the highlights from the week that was.
Let's start at number ten. Jason Tatum here and he
almost got his pocket pigged with a spin move, but
he finds Luke Cornett down low.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Love the Tatum loop connection. Those guys on that pick
and roll have been like really dialed in. It's like
they're a tele pathic almost.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Number nine I love this from Drew Holliday, the awareness
and the fake nope downloaded Tatum for a plan.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
That's Celtics basketball right there. Everybody can stretch it. You
gotta respect everyone's ability to shoot from free and then
you can get guys cut into the basket.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Number eight, you have a cornet steal to start.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Gotta love that.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
And it ends here with a Jaylen Brown sweet spin
move to an anline.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
It was a thing of beauty. Jalen was so locked
in at the start of this game. We know what
the Jays date against Cleveland eighty three combined points, and
when he is, when he's locked in and not taking
no for an answer from the defense, it's impossible.
Speaker 5 (04:38):
To stop him.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Number seven again the Cavs Jason Tatum crossing up Mobley
and finishes strong.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Look at this little flex, yeah, have some he goes.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
He puts his shoulder right into the chest of a
six to eleven guy Mobley, who might be defensive Player
of the Year this season. By the way, Tatum just
goes right through him. That was the muscle he added
last season that he's carried into this season.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Number six, Okay, I love this for our guy. Meemi
going down low big don Look how strong this is
shakes the whole food.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
I love Neimi so much.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
It's like, you know, watching him get the ball on
that fast break, you knew something beautiful was about to happen.
There was a buzz that started to rise in the crowd,
and that's the first time I've ever seen him do
anything like that.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Number five, this is all Tatum, big block, then goes
coast to coast down to the other end and finishes
over two bigs, just showcasing a lot of his strength
on both ends of the court.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
This is nasty Meg.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
I mean, he's doing a little bit everything and this
is really you cross up tied Jerome right it. DeAndre
Hunter is a great defender, and then Jared Allen is
there too.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
It just doesn't matter.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Number four, awesome game from Al Warford against the Nuggets.
Vintage Al gets the steal, gets down, gets it back
and finishes pretty there.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
He's still got that gear even at thirty eight years young,
and he definitely gets up to play the best guys
in the NBA.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Think about Yiannis Jokich is no exception.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Number three against the Piston, Jason Tatum did there. He
turned kid coming in into one of those inflatables outside
of the used car lots.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Speaking of cars, Meg, I mean they're in the motor city.
He blew a tire on the motorcade. Who is one
of the best players in the NBA. Has been amazing
this season. But JT, they'll make you look silly.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Number two, another great moment.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
From al with the deflection and it becomes just a
complete team effort. Download JB finds al Agaant looks.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Like these guys have been playing together for years.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Man Jalen said, Alice got a dunk that one. You know,
he spoon fed it to him. Maybe just lob it
up for al But look at Horford run on the
floor again. Seriously, he looks like a guy in the prime.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Of his career.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Number one, Okay, are you familiar with the magician Chris Angela.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
This is what he got from Derrick White.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
He was levitating when he got this from Drew Holliday
in the corner, feet off the ground.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Yeah, I could see Derek White doing a show where
he's like walking on water, risking his life and in
a variety of ways. This is insane. I mean, Howser's
got to be jealous of that release time.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Awesome, those are your top plays of the week. Let's
go over to Tailor Made Stats. Time now for Tailor
Made Stats with Taylor Snow of Celtics dot Com. He's
got all the numbers for us. You've been crunching the Taylor,
So why don't we.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Get right to it all right?
Speaker 6 (07:23):
I wanted to start off with what I thought was
probably the most absurd stat of the week. Came during
the Pistons game, which wasn't the best offensive game for
the Celtics, but they did hit eleven threes in the
second quarter, which is the second most all time in
the quarter. And the crazy part was, so eleven threes
thirty three points. They scored thirty five points in the quarter.
So ninety four point three percent of their points came
(07:44):
from three during that quarter, which is the highest rate
of all time in the single quarter. No, no other
team has even exceeded ninety percent in a quarter. And
throw in the shot chart here kind of reminded me
of half of a three point contest and round everything
was going in.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
That's where Derek White, you saw him in the top plays.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Hit that hot potato three from the corner. You know,
like I said, wasn't the best game offensive wise, but
this just showed how hot.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
They can get at any game of time.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Because I remember, I think it was in late November
when Porzingis came back against the Clippers. I'm pretty sure
the Celtics at eleven or twelve threes in that quarter
when Brad Stevens was actually on the broadcast, So Brad,
we need you back.
Speaker 6 (08:26):
Yep, they hold a share of the record twelve threes.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah, it's a little in balanced.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Reminds me a little bit of my SAT score verbal
versus everything, But you know that's why I'm not an accountant.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
What else do you have?
Speaker 6 (08:36):
Speaking of Derek White threes, he hit his two hundred
three of the season on Sunday. Jason Tatum also recently
hit his two hundred three, So they become the second
pair of teammates in Celtics history to make two hundred
threes in the season, joining Paul Pierce Antoine Walker. Which
doing that in two thousand and two is pretty crazy
because that's that's kind of like the equivalent of hitting
three hundred threes within a season. Of course, Yeah, loved
(08:58):
the bands down there.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Yeah, I mean because obviously we know everyone knows Paul's
right leg was sweater than his left, so he has
the ankle band on the right ankle but not the left.
And Antoine Walker pops up a lot in these like
first time since or record for the Celtics. I feel
like people forget the numbers he was putting up, you know.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
And one more thing, Peyton Pritchard, He's only seven threes
away from two hundred, so they're about to have three
guys at least two hundred. And keep in mind the
Celtics record for threes in a season is two hundred
and forty five by Isaiah Thomas. All three of these
guys are on pace for two hundred and sixty plus.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Taylor, why didn't you choose a photo of Jason and
Derrick with the headbands?
Speaker 5 (09:35):
How about it?
Speaker 4 (09:35):
How about a headband though?
Speaker 6 (09:37):
Let's see if there maybe there's a headband photo coming up.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Okay, they now there is.
Speaker 6 (09:43):
Jason Tatum, as we all know, turned twenty seven on Monday.
A lot of great stats floating around there about where
he ranks all time before turning twenty seven. This one
might have been my favorite highest plus minus in NBA
history by a player before turning twenty seven. I know
not everybody loves the plus minus stat.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
We love it here.
Speaker 6 (10:01):
What it shows is the Selities are successful whenever he
is on the court. And you see the other names
up there, I mean Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, that was
at the height of the when the Spurs were dominating
back in the late nineties early two thousands. A whole
bunch of legends on here. Jason Tatum is becoming one two.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
And I understand plus minus isn't a perfect stat. You
need a lot of context around it. But when it
comes to a player like Jason Tatum and the other
ones in this company, I think it's it's safe to
say it's communicating what.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
It's supposed to commut.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
All he does is win.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
I mean when he came into the league, he was
playing a different role, the team was good, and now
we've seen him ascend to being player A for the Celtics.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Another new nickname.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, just keep putting those nicknames up on Basketball reference
dot Com.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Thank you so much. Taylor Snow.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Don't go anywhere, because on the other side, we have
a sit down with one of the newest Celtics and
we'll meet yet.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Another one who has new England ties.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
We're courtside with one of the newest faces in the
Boston Celtics locker room.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
That's Tory Craig.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Tory, thanks for joining us, And I just got to
start with the question of when you got the call
that the Boston Celtics wanted you to come play with them,
what went through your mind? What was the feeling.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Excitement? This blessed for the opportunity to be here on
a championship winning team. Obviously they won it last year,
so just blessed to happened to be a part of
something special. I know that these guys are serious about
winning over here, and I'm competitor and I like winning
as well.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
So outside of from having to move in the middle
of winter to Boston, what's the transition been like here.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
It's been it's been pretty smooth. I found a place
out here. I moved there a couple of days ago.
It's always a past moving from a different city in
the middle of the season because you're still trying to
play games and trying to learn everything with your new team,
so the moving part is kind of secondhand to it.
So but I've been selling in pretty well, and like
(12:25):
I said, now I found my place. So now I'm
kind of feeling more comfortable.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
How have you settled into the experience of being a
Celtic at T.
Speaker 5 (12:33):
D Garden One where I would say just iconic. I
just think the organization and the franchise itself is is
iconic from the history of the team and the championships,
and so just to put on a Celtic jersey, it's
an iconic feel to it. The crowd is I don't
think it's one word to describe the crowd. The fans
(12:56):
are amazing. I think they're the best fans in the league.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
Joe got a big spotlight on him last year winning
the championship with the Celtics. What's it been like developing
a relationship with him as your coach?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
It's been been pretty cool. It's not just him as
a coach, is him as a person and knowing him
off of the court and his family and knows how
much you just care about people. And he's really a
good dude. All these guys are that there really are
a good guys, and I think that's what makes his
group so special.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
So something that I know gets on minor sometimes as
somebody who loves the NBA is when people say that
defense is just all about effort. As somebody who has
such an elite level of defense, what would you tell
people goes into playing at that level.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
I mean, effort is definitely an important factor when playing defense,
but I also thinking it's about i Q knowing guys Tennessee's,
knowing their personnel, and just knowing the concept of the
team and how you wanted to fan as a team,
even knowing the game plan going in different games, Like,
I think all that plays a part in being a
(14:04):
good defender or a good defensive team.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
You have previously played with Drew Holliday speaking of defenders,
what is it like to play alongside him? What does
he bring to a defensive unit.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
I think Drew is one of the best defensive wings
in the league. I said that when I was with
him at Milwaukee, just seeing seeing his effort and how
much attention to details he pays to like he's guarding guys,
like just cutting off a right hand or left hand,
or anticipating moves like he's just like I said, he
has IQ and awareness to be a great defender.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
So, as I mentioned before, you had to move here
in February. What's been surprising to you about the experience
in Boston outside of basketball so far.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
My first day here, I hit a pothole in my
car and bust my tire. No I did, like, I
was like. It was kind of my welcome to Boston moment.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Okay, I'm going to test you for a second. Okay,
how much you've learned about Boston so far? Can you
define or describe what any of these words mean?
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Okay, clicker they're remote, Yeah, okay, Blinker that's the the
on the car.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Yeah, you're doing great. This one's challenging.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Bubbler A bubbler, A bubbler. Bubbler, it's a water fountain.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
A bubbler like in.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Elementary school, you wait in line to go to the
bubbler yourself a drink.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
Okay, well that would have been the last thing.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
I guess that's the toughest one. You got the first two,
two out of three is awesome. I know that you
spent some time in Australia and New Zealand. Did you
ever attempt an Australian accent?
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (15:43):
I have. I was. It's like three Australian guys that
work on the team and I tease them, I'll say
OI good ay mate, or they have a saying in
Australia it's like they fret. They call it like it's
a good for it, but they were like day for it.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
It's very very good. How do you unwind from basketball?
What's the thing that like, if you need to totally
mellow out that you're gonna do.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
I like to watch movies. I'm a big movie guy,
a big TV shoo show guy, so kind of when
I get some downtown, that's what I like to do.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Do you have any nicknames that maybe Basketball Reference hasn't
picked up yet for me?
Speaker 5 (16:27):
Yeah, people call me TC or T Craig or T.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Final question. You're still pretty new here. But if the
Celtics are lucky enough to get back to the finals
and win the championship, who's the first teammate or staff
member who you're giving a hug?
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Probably the first one, I see.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
That's a very diplomatic answer.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Yeah, I'll say probably you.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
Do all day awesome?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
All right, thank you so much, Sjory.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Let's catch up with another addition to the Celtics in
Small Whites.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
That's two way player Miles.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
Norris find out about it. How do you find out
about it?
Speaker 7 (17:01):
I was actually on a connected flight coming back from
Santa Cruz G League game, so my azy comed me
real quick. He said, go home and pack up, be
ready to go in the morning. So I packed as
much as I could. You know, I'm here now, so no, it's.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
Good to be here.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
As exciting as that.
Speaker 7 (17:15):
I'm excited. You know, I love love city of Boston.
I've been here a couple of times. I'm gonna get
used to the cold weather though. You know, I'm a
California guys, so you know i gotta get used to
the cold. But you know I love it out here
so far. You love the people. You know that the
coaches stuff, the whole organization finals nolist like keeming with
Cain the year you guys won the Packbrol Championship to.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Where it.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Oh, it was great.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
You know if Pain's a great guy, you know it's
good to see him a game. Good be bad playing
with him again after college, so you know, it's no
small world.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:40):
I think it's like a full circle moment for me
in the Payne as well. So you know, I'm excited
to be a gamp.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
So Miles Norris, new two way player that the Celtics
just added for some death. He says he's a California guy.
He's got to get used to the cold weather. But
he does have some familiarity with the cold around here
because he was a Brusher Academy in New Yorkshire, right.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yeah, one of the best high school programs in the
entire country. I also love that he's talking about Peyton Pritchard,
his former Oregon teammate. People talk about the Villanova Nicks
all the time. We'll step aside. It's time for the
Oregon Celtics baby still wearing green from.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
College to the NBA.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
If you look up Miles Norris height, the internet will
potentially lie to you because some places say that he's six'.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Seven some places say that he's six.
Speaker 5 (18:23):
Ten what is?
Speaker 2 (18:24):
That, discrepancy, well no.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
But we got to get it.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
SORTED out i know his wingspan is over seven FEET
and i think he Fits the celtics system really well
as a guy who can hit threes and defended a,
high levels shooting about thirty eight and a half percent
from three IN The g league. This Year and miles
say goodbye to those connecting, flights baby because you're IN
the nba now it's two, way deals so probably still
spending a lot of time with The, main celtics But
no moss.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Connecting, flights well.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Hopefully we get to see a lot of Them in
april as some of these, guys start, you know tam
burned down a little bit the taper period before you
get into. The playoffs But, the celtics we did Preview
the lakers game at the very time of. The show
they're hosting three other teams. This week let's get into,
future focus and, that starts of course With The Portland.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Trail blazers we're gonna be welcoming home a.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Lot of old friends To ted garden, this Week Including.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Robert williams THE third Aka.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Time ward hopefully we get to see him Against The blazers.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Wednesday Night these blazers are playing, Pretty, WELL meg, i
mean at the start of the year they were one
of those teams we thought might be in the mix
for number. One pick but ever since then they're kind
of in the hunt for a play in spot In The.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Western Conference H.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Shaden sharp anytime you're, watching him you could see something
you've never. Seen before he's got one of the highest
verts IN, the nba and obviously it'll be good To
See rob williams and make sure you're watching the GAME
On Nbc. Sports Boston Mike Turco's colin.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Lovely the west is.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
So wild let's talk about the Seventy six ers and
be done for. The season celtics looking for their third
straight Win Over philly.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Thursday, night yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
THIS one, i mean it's a great, rivalry always but,
you know a little deflated by How the sixers have struggled.
THIS season i think they obviously had high hopes going
in Bringing In. Paul george seemed like they'd have a great,
big three but that has not really. Panned out but
now that they've got the whole embid cloud kind, of
gone they know what they're.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
Doing with him, this season Which is eddie's.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Not playing maybe they'll have a little, extra juice, you
Know Let tyrese maxi cook a little bit More, AND yaboo,
i mean speaking Of, former Celtics let.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
YABOU cook i.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
LOVE it i love watching him and In the celtics
wrap up The week monday Hosting The jazz so more
friendly faces coming. To Town will Hardy And jaden springer
who was dealt around the.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Trade deadline.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
He's back the dude can. REALLY guard i hope he
gets some minutes against his. FORMER team i also Hope
the jazz are wearing those beautiful. PURPLE unis, i mean
those things. Are clean they've got some. Great uniforms and
Of Course danny ames running, the show so maybe he'll
have he'll get those guys fired up to Play.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
The, celtics so.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
As we noted at the top of, the show we got.
The cake It's For jason Tatum And. Jordan walsh they
both have birthdays, this week and so can you give
a Little.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Tak yeah i've. Been waiting i'll show. For this i'm
giving up Sweets, for lent so this is kind of my.
LAST hurrah i cannot wait for.
Speaker 5 (21:01):
This case.
Speaker 7 (21:04):
What that sounds?
Speaker 2 (21:11):
T exnically you got a little. Sung here we'll catch You.
Next wednesday
Coming up on this edition of Celtics Weekly, we preview
the matchup of the season as the Lakers come to town.
Get to know Boston's new wing Tory Craig and the
seas sign a two way player with new England ties.
All that and more. Now welcome into Celtics Weekly, where
(00:32):
we catch you up with everything the world champs Celtics.
Megan Atlini here with Drew Carter of NBC Sports Boston.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
What a show we have for you.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
We've got new Celtics, We've got legendary Celtics getting older.
Keep an eye on this cake. If you're familiar with
the narrative concept of Chekhov's Gun, just keep an eye
on this cake during the show.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
How are you doing, Drew, Well, if it's your first
time watching, Welcome and now you know everything you need
to know about Megan because you get a Chekhov's gun
reference within fifteen seconds of the start. NERD alert, maybe
even a bigger nerd than Taylor Snow.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Well educated. Taylor Snow will also be in the show.
But we got to keep moving because where else do
we start this week? But our hot topic, which is
the La Lakers come in to town, eight thirty pm
Saturday night. The Lakers are eleven and two since trading
for Luka Doncic. They are now the number two seed
(01:24):
in the Western Conference. Lebron James just one Western Conference
Player of the Month at forty and most.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
A present to me, Drew.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Is that this team has the second best defensive rating
in the entire NBA.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
And that's after.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Getting Lucas Yeah, and getting rid of Anthony Davis.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Right, make it make sense when you trade Anthony Davis
for Luka Doncic, how does your defense get better?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
I mean there are some theories out there.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Maybe Anthony Davis was freelancing a little bit. Now they
have more structure and JJ Reddick can you know, get
in his coaching bag with his defensive schemes. You mentioned,
they're eleven and two since they made the trade. Luca
missed the first four of those games, so I don't
know if they were reaching juvenated or if Lebron feels
more empowered now that he's got a running mate or
didn't have it for those first four games. But those
guys are playing so well together. Luca wasn't even shooting
(02:09):
the ball very well when he first got there. He's
still shooting about forty percent from the field as a Laker,
but you see him starting to get more comfortable as
the games go by. They're up to second place in
the Western Conference after they were looked like they were
going to be a playing team for the first few
months of the season. So as much as we hate
to show love to the Lakers on a Celtics show,
they've been playing some really good basketball.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I'm curious from you because the Celtics obviously know Luca
pretty well from the finals last year.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
How do the Celtics match.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Up with this specific version of the Lakers now with
Luca in there.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Well, I think it's the perfect team to try to
defend the Lakers, especially Luca. We saw what happened in
the finals last year. Now, Luca, I think was gas
after carrying them to the finals. But you have a
a bunch of guys to throw at him when he
has the ball, and be a bunch of guys to
throw at him when he's trying to defend, and that's
really when you can wear him down. So if the
Celtics have you know, Jaylen Brown defending him and then
Jalen going at him on the other end, obviously Jason
(03:03):
Tatum doing the same thing. And then maybe you know
d White and Drew Holliday get a crack at him
on the other side. Hopefully you know Drew will be healthy.
Maybe we don't know, but I think he's obviously a problem.
And when you when you pair Lebron and Luca, you've
got two like basketball somants, two of the highest IQ's
in the NBA, and they're obviously vibing really well. The
(03:25):
schedule maybe a little bit lighter for them since they
got Lucas, so maybe it's a little bit smoking mirrors,
but there's no doubt they're playing super well.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
So it'll be a fun game.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Absolutely Saturday night at the Garden. Can't beat it. So
six went two and one over the last week. Let's
get into our plays of the week. This is where
we give you all the highlights from the week that was.
Let's start at number ten. Jason Tatum here and he
almost got his pocket pigged with a spin move, but
he finds Luke Cornett down low.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Love the Tatum loop connection. Those guys on that pick
and roll have been like really dialed in. It's like
they're a tele pathic almost.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Number nine I love this from Drew Holliday, the awareness
and the fake nope downloaded Tatum for a plan.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
That's Celtics basketball right there. Everybody can stretch it. You
gotta respect everyone's ability to shoot from free and then
you can get guys cut into the basket.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Number eight, you have a cornet steal to start.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Gotta love that.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
And it ends here with a Jaylen Brown sweet spin
move to an anline.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
It was a thing of beauty. Jalen was so locked
in at the start of this game. We know what
the Jays date against Cleveland eighty three combined points, and
when he is, when he's locked in and not taking
no for an answer from the defense, it's impossible.
Speaker 5 (04:38):
To stop him.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Number seven again the Cavs Jason Tatum crossing up Mobley
and finishes strong.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Look at this little flex, yeah, have some he goes.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
He puts his shoulder right into the chest of a
six to eleven guy Mobley, who might be defensive Player
of the Year this season. By the way, Tatum just
goes right through him. That was the muscle he added
last season that he's carried into this season.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Number six, Okay, I love this for our guy. Meemi
going down low big don Look how strong this is
shakes the whole food.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
I love Neimi so much.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
It's like, you know, watching him get the ball on
that fast break, you knew something beautiful was about to happen.
There was a buzz that started to rise in the crowd,
and that's the first time I've ever seen him do
anything like that.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Number five, this is all Tatum, big block, then goes
coast to coast down to the other end and finishes
over two bigs, just showcasing a lot of his strength
on both ends of the court.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
This is nasty Meg.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
I mean, he's doing a little bit everything and this
is really you cross up tied Jerome right it. DeAndre
Hunter is a great defender, and then Jared Allen is
there too.
Speaker 4 (05:44):
It just doesn't matter.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Number four, awesome game from Al Warford against the Nuggets.
Vintage Al gets the steal, gets down, gets it back
and finishes pretty there.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
He's still got that gear even at thirty eight years young,
and he definitely gets up to play the best guys
in the NBA.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Think about Yiannis Jokich is no exception.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Number three against the Piston, Jason Tatum did there. He
turned kid coming in into one of those inflatables outside
of the used car lots.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Speaking of cars, Meg, I mean they're in the motor city.
He blew a tire on the motorcade. Who is one
of the best players in the NBA. Has been amazing
this season. But JT, they'll make you look silly.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Number two, another great moment.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
From al with the deflection and it becomes just a
complete team effort. Download JB finds al Agaant looks.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Like these guys have been playing together for years.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Man Jalen said, Alice got a dunk that one. You know,
he spoon fed it to him. Maybe just lob it
up for al But look at Horford run on the
floor again. Seriously, he looks like a guy in the prime.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Of his career.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Number one, Okay, are you familiar with the magician Chris Angela.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
This is what he got from Derrick White.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
He was levitating when he got this from Drew Holliday
in the corner, feet off the ground.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Yeah, I could see Derek White doing a show where
he's like walking on water, risking his life and in
a variety of ways. This is insane. I mean, Howser's
got to be jealous of that release time.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Awesome, those are your top plays of the week. Let's
go over to Tailor Made Stats. Time now for Tailor
Made Stats with Taylor Snow of Celtics dot Com. He's
got all the numbers for us. You've been crunching the Taylor,
So why don't we.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Get right to it all right?
Speaker 6 (07:23):
I wanted to start off with what I thought was
probably the most absurd stat of the week. Came during
the Pistons game, which wasn't the best offensive game for
the Celtics, but they did hit eleven threes in the
second quarter, which is the second most all time in
the quarter. And the crazy part was, so eleven threes
thirty three points. They scored thirty five points in the quarter.
So ninety four point three percent of their points came
(07:44):
from three during that quarter, which is the highest rate
of all time in the single quarter. No, no other
team has even exceeded ninety percent in a quarter. And
throw in the shot chart here kind of reminded me
of half of a three point contest and round everything
was going in.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
That's where Derek White, you saw him in the top plays.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Hit that hot potato three from the corner. You know,
like I said, wasn't the best game offensive wise, but
this just showed how hot.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
They can get at any game of time.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Because I remember, I think it was in late November
when Porzingis came back against the Clippers. I'm pretty sure
the Celtics at eleven or twelve threes in that quarter
when Brad Stevens was actually on the broadcast, So Brad,
we need you back.
Speaker 6 (08:26):
Yep, they hold a share of the record twelve threes.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah, it's a little in balanced.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Reminds me a little bit of my SAT score verbal
versus everything, But you know that's why I'm not an accountant.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
What else do you have?
Speaker 6 (08:36):
Speaking of Derek White threes, he hit his two hundred
three of the season on Sunday. Jason Tatum also recently
hit his two hundred three, So they become the second
pair of teammates in Celtics history to make two hundred
threes in the season, joining Paul Pierce Antoine Walker. Which
doing that in two thousand and two is pretty crazy
because that's that's kind of like the equivalent of hitting
three hundred threes within a season. Of course, Yeah, loved
(08:58):
the bands down there.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Yeah, I mean because obviously we know everyone knows Paul's
right leg was sweater than his left, so he has
the ankle band on the right ankle but not the left.
And Antoine Walker pops up a lot in these like
first time since or record for the Celtics. I feel
like people forget the numbers he was putting up, you know.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
And one more thing, Peyton Pritchard, He's only seven threes
away from two hundred, so they're about to have three
guys at least two hundred. And keep in mind the
Celtics record for threes in a season is two hundred
and forty five by Isaiah Thomas. All three of these
guys are on pace for two hundred and sixty plus.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Taylor, why didn't you choose a photo of Jason and
Derrick with the headbands?
Speaker 5 (09:35):
How about it?
Speaker 4 (09:35):
How about a headband though?
Speaker 6 (09:37):
Let's see if there maybe there's a headband photo coming up.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Okay, they now there is.
Speaker 6 (09:43):
Jason Tatum, as we all know, turned twenty seven on Monday.
A lot of great stats floating around there about where
he ranks all time before turning twenty seven. This one
might have been my favorite highest plus minus in NBA
history by a player before turning twenty seven. I know
not everybody loves the plus minus stat.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
We love it here.
Speaker 6 (10:01):
What it shows is the Selities are successful whenever he
is on the court. And you see the other names
up there, I mean Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, that was
at the height of the when the Spurs were dominating
back in the late nineties early two thousands. A whole
bunch of legends on here. Jason Tatum is becoming one two.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
And I understand plus minus isn't a perfect stat. You
need a lot of context around it. But when it
comes to a player like Jason Tatum and the other
ones in this company, I think it's it's safe to
say it's communicating what.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
It's supposed to commut.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
All he does is win.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
I mean when he came into the league, he was
playing a different role, the team was good, and now
we've seen him ascend to being player A for the Celtics.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Another new nickname.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, just keep putting those nicknames up on Basketball reference
dot Com.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Thank you so much. Taylor Snow.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Don't go anywhere, because on the other side, we have
a sit down with one of the newest Celtics and
we'll meet yet.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Another one who has new England ties.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
We're courtside with one of the newest faces in the
Boston Celtics locker room.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
That's Tory Craig.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Tory, thanks for joining us, And I just got to
start with the question of when you got the call
that the Boston Celtics wanted you to come play with them,
what went through your mind? What was the feeling.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Excitement? This blessed for the opportunity to be here on
a championship winning team. Obviously they won it last year,
so just blessed to happened to be a part of
something special. I know that these guys are serious about
winning over here, and I'm competitor and I like winning
as well.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
So outside of from having to move in the middle
of winter to Boston, what's the transition been like here.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
It's been it's been pretty smooth. I found a place
out here. I moved there a couple of days ago.
It's always a past moving from a different city in
the middle of the season because you're still trying to
play games and trying to learn everything with your new team,
so the moving part is kind of secondhand to it.
So but I've been selling in pretty well, and like
(12:25):
I said, now I found my place. So now I'm
kind of feeling more comfortable.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
How have you settled into the experience of being a
Celtic at T.
Speaker 5 (12:33):
D Garden One where I would say just iconic. I
just think the organization and the franchise itself is is
iconic from the history of the team and the championships,
and so just to put on a Celtic jersey, it's
an iconic feel to it. The crowd is I don't
think it's one word to describe the crowd. The fans
(12:56):
are amazing. I think they're the best fans in the league.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
Joe got a big spotlight on him last year winning
the championship with the Celtics. What's it been like developing
a relationship with him as your coach?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
It's been been pretty cool. It's not just him as
a coach, is him as a person and knowing him
off of the court and his family and knows how
much you just care about people. And he's really a
good dude. All these guys are that there really are
a good guys, and I think that's what makes his
group so special.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
So something that I know gets on minor sometimes as
somebody who loves the NBA is when people say that
defense is just all about effort. As somebody who has
such an elite level of defense, what would you tell
people goes into playing at that level.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
I mean, effort is definitely an important factor when playing defense,
but I also thinking it's about i Q knowing guys Tennessee's,
knowing their personnel, and just knowing the concept of the
team and how you wanted to fan as a team,
even knowing the game plan going in different games, Like,
I think all that plays a part in being a
(14:04):
good defender or a good defensive team.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
You have previously played with Drew Holliday speaking of defenders,
what is it like to play alongside him? What does
he bring to a defensive unit.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
I think Drew is one of the best defensive wings
in the league. I said that when I was with
him at Milwaukee, just seeing seeing his effort and how
much attention to details he pays to like he's guarding guys,
like just cutting off a right hand or left hand,
or anticipating moves like he's just like I said, he
has IQ and awareness to be a great defender.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
So, as I mentioned before, you had to move here
in February. What's been surprising to you about the experience
in Boston outside of basketball so far.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
My first day here, I hit a pothole in my
car and bust my tire. No I did, like, I
was like. It was kind of my welcome to Boston moment.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Okay, I'm going to test you for a second. Okay,
how much you've learned about Boston so far? Can you
define or describe what any of these words mean?
Speaker 5 (15:04):
Okay, clicker they're remote, Yeah, okay, Blinker that's the the
on the car.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Yeah, you're doing great. This one's challenging.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Bubbler A bubbler, A bubbler. Bubbler, it's a water fountain.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
A bubbler like in.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Elementary school, you wait in line to go to the
bubbler yourself a drink.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
Okay, well that would have been the last thing.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
I guess that's the toughest one. You got the first two,
two out of three is awesome. I know that you
spent some time in Australia and New Zealand. Did you
ever attempt an Australian accent?
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (15:43):
I have. I was. It's like three Australian guys that
work on the team and I tease them, I'll say
OI good ay mate, or they have a saying in
Australia it's like they fret. They call it like it's
a good for it, but they were like day for it.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
It's very very good. How do you unwind from basketball?
What's the thing that like, if you need to totally
mellow out that you're gonna do.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
I like to watch movies. I'm a big movie guy,
a big TV shoo show guy, so kind of when
I get some downtown, that's what I like to do.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Do you have any nicknames that maybe Basketball Reference hasn't
picked up yet for me?
Speaker 5 (16:27):
Yeah, people call me TC or T Craig or T.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Final question. You're still pretty new here. But if the
Celtics are lucky enough to get back to the finals
and win the championship, who's the first teammate or staff
member who you're giving a hug?
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Probably the first one, I see.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
That's a very diplomatic answer.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Yeah, I'll say probably you.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
Do all day awesome?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
All right, thank you so much, Sjory.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Let's catch up with another addition to the Celtics in
Small Whites.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
That's two way player Miles.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
Norris find out about it. How do you find out
about it?
Speaker 7 (17:01):
I was actually on a connected flight coming back from
Santa Cruz G League game, so my azy comed me
real quick. He said, go home and pack up, be
ready to go in the morning. So I packed as
much as I could. You know, I'm here now, so no, it's.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
Good to be here.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
As exciting as that.
Speaker 7 (17:15):
I'm excited. You know, I love love city of Boston.
I've been here a couple of times. I'm gonna get
used to the cold weather though. You know, I'm a
California guys, so you know i gotta get used to
the cold. But you know I love it out here
so far. You love the people. You know that the
coaches stuff, the whole organization finals nolist like keeming with
Cain the year you guys won the Packbrol Championship to.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Where it.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Oh, it was great.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
You know if Pain's a great guy, you know it's
good to see him a game. Good be bad playing
with him again after college, so you know, it's no
small world.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:40):
I think it's like a full circle moment for me
in the Payne as well. So you know, I'm excited
to be a gamp.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
So Miles Norris, new two way player that the Celtics
just added for some death. He says he's a California guy.
He's got to get used to the cold weather. But
he does have some familiarity with the cold around here
because he was a Brusher Academy in New Yorkshire, right.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yeah, one of the best high school programs in the
entire country. I also love that he's talking about Peyton Pritchard,
his former Oregon teammate. People talk about the Villanova Nicks
all the time. We'll step aside. It's time for the
Oregon Celtics baby still wearing green from.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
College to the NBA.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
If you look up Miles Norris height, the internet will
potentially lie to you because some places say that he's six'.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Seven some places say that he's six.
Speaker 5 (18:23):
Ten what is?
Speaker 2 (18:24):
That, discrepancy, well no.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
But we got to get it.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
SORTED out i know his wingspan is over seven FEET
and i think he Fits the celtics system really well
as a guy who can hit threes and defended a,
high levels shooting about thirty eight and a half percent
from three IN The g league. This Year and miles
say goodbye to those connecting, flights baby because you're IN
the nba now it's two, way deals so probably still
spending a lot of time with The, main celtics But
no moss.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Connecting, flights well.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Hopefully we get to see a lot of Them in
april as some of these, guys start, you know tam
burned down a little bit the taper period before you
get into. The playoffs But, the celtics we did Preview
the lakers game at the very time of. The show
they're hosting three other teams. This week let's get into,
future focus and, that starts of course With The Portland.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Trail blazers we're gonna be welcoming home a.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Lot of old friends To ted garden, this Week Including.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Robert williams THE third Aka.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Time ward hopefully we get to see him Against The blazers.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Wednesday Night these blazers are playing, Pretty, WELL meg, i
mean at the start of the year they were one
of those teams we thought might be in the mix
for number. One pick but ever since then they're kind
of in the hunt for a play in spot In The.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Western Conference H.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
Shaden sharp anytime you're, watching him you could see something
you've never. Seen before he's got one of the highest
verts IN, the nba and obviously it'll be good To
See rob williams and make sure you're watching the GAME
On Nbc. Sports Boston Mike Turco's colin.
Speaker 2 (19:43):
Lovely the west is.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
So wild let's talk about the Seventy six ers and
be done for. The season celtics looking for their third
straight Win Over philly.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Thursday, night yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
THIS one, i mean it's a great, rivalry always but,
you know a little deflated by How the sixers have struggled.
THIS season i think they obviously had high hopes going
in Bringing In. Paul george seemed like they'd have a great,
big three but that has not really. Panned out but
now that they've got the whole embid cloud kind, of
gone they know what they're.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
Doing with him, this season Which is eddie's.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Not playing maybe they'll have a little, extra juice, you
Know Let tyrese maxi cook a little bit More, AND yaboo,
i mean speaking Of, former Celtics let.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
YABOU cook i.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
LOVE it i love watching him and In the celtics
wrap up The week monday Hosting The jazz so more
friendly faces coming. To Town will Hardy And jaden springer
who was dealt around the.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Trade deadline.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
He's back the dude can. REALLY guard i hope he
gets some minutes against his. FORMER team i also Hope
the jazz are wearing those beautiful. PURPLE unis, i mean
those things. Are clean they've got some. Great uniforms and
Of Course danny ames running, the show so maybe he'll
have he'll get those guys fired up to Play.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
The, celtics so.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
As we noted at the top of, the show we got.
The cake It's For jason Tatum And. Jordan walsh they
both have birthdays, this week and so can you give
a Little.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Tak yeah i've. Been waiting i'll show. For this i'm
giving up Sweets, for lent so this is kind of my.
LAST hurrah i cannot wait for.
Speaker 5 (21:01):
This case.
Speaker 7 (21:04):
What that sounds?
Speaker 2 (21:11):
T exnically you got a little. Sung here we'll catch You.
Next wednesday
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