squadcaster-57a5_1_03-30-2026_131907: [00:00:00] Welcome to Celtic Chalk Talk. My name's Steve Purciello. I've been doing this for a long time, being a Celtic fan since the Bill Russell days. Just wanna remind you that as this is the podcast network of the Peach Basket, you listen to one of the independent fan driven shows on the Peach Basket Podcast Network.
We're not owned by. By any big media company, which means what you hear comes straight from fans who live this game every day. In my case, as a Celtic fan, I live it, but I do suggest you try looking at the other people within the pod because there's a lot of good podcasts coming out from our network, from real fans.
If you believe voices like this should be heard, the best way to support us is simple. Keep listening. Tell a friend and on this, when this episode ends, head to the Peach Basket Podcast network, check out more fan run products, and help [00:01:00] this independent network grow the way it started. That's a little talk and just an encouragement to, for you people to look into the network.
There's a lot of great stuff that is produced by this network. As for the Celtics, another very good week and fun. First game was Oklahoma City. Tough game, big game. Boston needed to play well to prove they can play with the big boys and beat the big boys. It was something big for Boston as well, and Oklahoma City wanted to drive that nail into Boston, and they also wanted to prove they could win good games.
They are two and six against Boston, San Antonio, and Detroit. That's not a very good record, and they're struggling and they needed to beat, and they're not struggling, meaning they're winning, but they're struggling to beat good teams. So the game was a great game to watch. It was almost a playoff game. Oklahoma State Oklahoma City came out.
They. Tried to take away or give Boston threes and jam [00:02:00] the middle. So Jaylen Brown particularly, and Jason Tatum couldn't go to the hole, and it worked early. Hauser couldn't make a shot and Oklahoma got off to a nice lead. They were winning by about 10 or 15. And Boston was struggling.
Boston all of a sudden began to hit the threes. Ended up in the game 18 for 41, which is 44%, which is a pretty good day. And Brown and Tatum. Got to the basket. Now, Tatum showed some signs and he will show better signs this week, but showed some signs of starting to figure things out in the second quarter.
Boston was struggling. They were still down. Tatum single handedly kept the team in the game and he was really good. He kept them afloat. He finished 1912 and seven, which is a good day. And he's an excellent, Tatum has really done a great job as a rebounder. Doing much better than his career statistics as a rebounder.
Meaning he's getting more rebounds per team rebounds, meaning percentage wise he's [00:03:00] getting way more. But then in the second half, Jalen Brown just came to life. He had a tremendous. Second half. He ended up with 31 3 and eight, and he showed why he's in there running for the MVP. I don't think he'll get it, but he's in the running and he belongs there.
He was tremendous. Now, other things that you saw, Baylor Shireman made some big threes in this game. He shot he defends, and if you watch Baylor Shireman. He's very good at keeping his feet moving and staying in the path of ball ball handlers going to the basket. And by that, if you think about it, he must do a great deal of watching tape.
He must understand players' tendencies and he's usually beating them as they're turning or crossing over or doing the things they do. And that says a lot. About him. 'cause he doesn't look like he would be the quickest guy in the world, but he, he's really turned into that. Peyton Pritchard also had big [00:04:00] threes during the game and for Boston it's a big win.
They know now they can go out and beat Oklahoma City with their full group. And as Tatum gets better, there will be better. The next game was against the Hawks. Now that game started out horribly. Boston was down 22 to nine. And as a fan, you are thinking, oh boy, we just can't play with this team. They're just better.
Jaylen Johnson is a good player. He's a star. He's legit and he's a legit all NBA player. They're down. They went on Boston, went on to win 1 0 9, 1 0 2. Peyton Pritchard, what could you say? He brought him back. He finished he had three quarters. After three quarters. He had 32. Finished with 36, 36, 7, and four.
Just a monster game from Peyton Pritchard. And again, this is without Jalen Brown who did. Was not eligible to or could not play. 'cause he was still, he's got some problems with his Achilles soreness and he didn't play. Tatum had a pretty good game, [00:05:00] 26, 12 and five. In the last two games, Tatum is was beginning to show some signs that he's.
Starting to get away from the rust. Boston was pushed by Atlanta and they showed a lot of character. You come back in a game like that and you win the game like that. It shows a lot of character. They've done it against Oklahoma City as well. Tatum had a very good fourth quarter or something.
Everybody needed Boston and him. It just a nice a good game. Walsh played real well. And where have you been? Jordan Walsh. He showed that game. He got some big rebounds. And he just he's infectious. He just does so many things in during the game and he's a pest and just, there's a need for players like him.
And thank God we have him. Luca Garza came up big with some big baskets going to the basket. One time he had 11 and seven, and then Nimi. Beginning of the year, I talked a lot about [00:06:00] needing a rim protector. I talked a lot about how we need somebody bigger than nimi, meaning physically, bigger, stronger.
I'm wrong. Nimi is fine. He's a very good defensive center and he can rebound. He does a lot of good things. He can block shots. Boston is very lucky to have him, and I really suggest they pay him whatever he's got another year in a contract. But give him some money and make sure he doesn't leave.
He had five and 11 rebounds. And the rim protection. I just keep talking about he, he does it real well. So now you got two games. Now we're coming into Charlotte. Last night, Charlotte had a horrible gloss to Philadelphia the night before when they really folded up in the third and fourth quarter after leading by about 10 or 15.
So you're thinking, okay, it's a back to back. Charlotte might not be, physically as strong, however. They've gotta, [00:07:00] this is important. Philadelphia, Boston, back to back at home. You gotta at least win one. They didn't. Now, for Boston there was no brown, no D white, but there was no problem.
Boston played well and a 1 41 14 to 99 win. But the thing that was the most thing, the best thing you could take from that game. Tatum's back. Tatum played great. He was tremendous. He was the old self, 32, 5 and eight. He was five for 10 from three. All, not quite a triple double, but that will come as things go along.
And then you got Peyton Prichard again. He just tremendous at being able to get a shot no matter who's around him. He did it against the land at the end of a quarter where he went with three guys around him. He went to the basket and shot a rainbow shot that went in from about five feet out. He just gets a shot.
He had 28, 6 and six valuable. He's such a good [00:08:00] scorer and a good player, and he can rebound a little bit. As evidenced by the six rebounds he had again, cater. Very good. Just a great problem player. And he's becoming such a good solid Celtic player. And the prototypical NBA center of today RI protection come up, set screens up high and roll to the basket.
And he's got a little bit of an offensive game, and he's getting better there too. So he's a key. He had 12 and eight. Shireman had 14, including some big threes. I believe Hornets cut it to nine with a couple minutes left, 6, 5, 6, 7 minutes left. Shireman hit a big three to, bring it back over to double figures and helped them win.
He had 14, as I said, hornets weren't sharp thes. Let's be honest. But it doesn't take away that Boston played well. 41% again from three. Another good night at the three, and again, you can look at Boston and say they're led by how they shoot the three. [00:09:00] Meaning if they cold, we got a tough night. The defense was outstanding.
In Charlotte, they shot 43% from the four, 28% from three. A real good win. Now, as a Celtic fan, I never expected what's gone on this year. I thought this was a year. Okay, you win 45, you go in the playoffs, you get knocked out early. As a Celtic fan, this is just pure fun. It is just fun to watch. It is a group of people that play together.
They like playing with each other and they're all there for one reason. Win. If you watch a game, you are always amazed if Garza's playing and he does something real well, they'll flash to the bench and Kate to being as big as fan. It, it's such a great attitude. Jordan Walsh doesn't play for six games.
Comes in the other night and he's great. And there's no anger or disgust or [00:10:00] disappointment. They're all pulling for each other. Fans. You gotta understand, we will not see things like this every year. And what this is right now is a testament to Joe Missoula, testament to Brad Stevens, and a testament to the two leaders, brown and Tatum.
Tatum remember, was with the team. While he was hurt, he traveled with them and was always there. Very important. Shows how much he's intertwined in Celtic A and wants to be a Celtic. Jalen Brown has been encouraging and the leader of the gang this year, those two have. Created this atmosphere with Missoula of just a team a team working together.
The last thing I wanna say, and I've said it before, Brad Stevens has put together a team and it's very interesting. It's a very intelligent team. 'cause you watch, they don't make a lot of mistakes defensively. They know their places, other, the rotations. [00:11:00] He's put together a team of people, of men who, good character people as well as good basketball players, and they're willing to pull for each other.
Celtic fans, sit back, enjoy it no matter where it ends. This is fun to watch, and we don't get this all the time. Think back to the Ricky Davis days. If you're a Celtic fan, you'll know what I'm talking about. It wasn't fun. This is fun. Think back to the Petito days and this. Is much better than those days.
That's it for this week. Great talking about the Celtics, and hopefully we just keep winning and rolling along. See you until next week. Take care.
We're not owned by. By any big media company, which means what you hear comes straight from fans who live this game every day. In my case, as a Celtic fan, I live it, but I do suggest you try looking at the other people within the pod because there's a lot of good podcasts coming out from our network, from real fans.
If you believe voices like this should be heard, the best way to support us is simple. Keep listening. Tell a friend and on this, when this episode ends, head to the Peach Basket Podcast network, check out more fan run products, and help [00:01:00] this independent network grow the way it started. That's a little talk and just an encouragement to, for you people to look into the network.
There's a lot of great stuff that is produced by this network. As for the Celtics, another very good week and fun. First game was Oklahoma City. Tough game, big game. Boston needed to play well to prove they can play with the big boys and beat the big boys. It was something big for Boston as well, and Oklahoma City wanted to drive that nail into Boston, and they also wanted to prove they could win good games.
They are two and six against Boston, San Antonio, and Detroit. That's not a very good record, and they're struggling and they needed to beat, and they're not struggling, meaning they're winning, but they're struggling to beat good teams. So the game was a great game to watch. It was almost a playoff game. Oklahoma State Oklahoma City came out.
They. Tried to take away or give Boston threes and jam [00:02:00] the middle. So Jaylen Brown particularly, and Jason Tatum couldn't go to the hole, and it worked early. Hauser couldn't make a shot and Oklahoma got off to a nice lead. They were winning by about 10 or 15. And Boston was struggling.
Boston all of a sudden began to hit the threes. Ended up in the game 18 for 41, which is 44%, which is a pretty good day. And Brown and Tatum. Got to the basket. Now, Tatum showed some signs and he will show better signs this week, but showed some signs of starting to figure things out in the second quarter.
Boston was struggling. They were still down. Tatum single handedly kept the team in the game and he was really good. He kept them afloat. He finished 1912 and seven, which is a good day. And he's an excellent, Tatum has really done a great job as a rebounder. Doing much better than his career statistics as a rebounder.
Meaning he's getting more rebounds per team rebounds, meaning percentage wise he's [00:03:00] getting way more. But then in the second half, Jalen Brown just came to life. He had a tremendous. Second half. He ended up with 31 3 and eight, and he showed why he's in there running for the MVP. I don't think he'll get it, but he's in the running and he belongs there.
He was tremendous. Now, other things that you saw, Baylor Shireman made some big threes in this game. He shot he defends, and if you watch Baylor Shireman. He's very good at keeping his feet moving and staying in the path of ball ball handlers going to the basket. And by that, if you think about it, he must do a great deal of watching tape.
He must understand players' tendencies and he's usually beating them as they're turning or crossing over or doing the things they do. And that says a lot. About him. 'cause he doesn't look like he would be the quickest guy in the world, but he, he's really turned into that. Peyton Pritchard also had big [00:04:00] threes during the game and for Boston it's a big win.
They know now they can go out and beat Oklahoma City with their full group. And as Tatum gets better, there will be better. The next game was against the Hawks. Now that game started out horribly. Boston was down 22 to nine. And as a fan, you are thinking, oh boy, we just can't play with this team. They're just better.
Jaylen Johnson is a good player. He's a star. He's legit and he's a legit all NBA player. They're down. They went on Boston, went on to win 1 0 9, 1 0 2. Peyton Pritchard, what could you say? He brought him back. He finished he had three quarters. After three quarters. He had 32. Finished with 36, 36, 7, and four.
Just a monster game from Peyton Pritchard. And again, this is without Jalen Brown who did. Was not eligible to or could not play. 'cause he was still, he's got some problems with his Achilles soreness and he didn't play. Tatum had a pretty good game, [00:05:00] 26, 12 and five. In the last two games, Tatum is was beginning to show some signs that he's.
Starting to get away from the rust. Boston was pushed by Atlanta and they showed a lot of character. You come back in a game like that and you win the game like that. It shows a lot of character. They've done it against Oklahoma City as well. Tatum had a very good fourth quarter or something.
Everybody needed Boston and him. It just a nice a good game. Walsh played real well. And where have you been? Jordan Walsh. He showed that game. He got some big rebounds. And he just he's infectious. He just does so many things in during the game and he's a pest and just, there's a need for players like him.
And thank God we have him. Luca Garza came up big with some big baskets going to the basket. One time he had 11 and seven, and then Nimi. Beginning of the year, I talked a lot about [00:06:00] needing a rim protector. I talked a lot about how we need somebody bigger than nimi, meaning physically, bigger, stronger.
I'm wrong. Nimi is fine. He's a very good defensive center and he can rebound. He does a lot of good things. He can block shots. Boston is very lucky to have him, and I really suggest they pay him whatever he's got another year in a contract. But give him some money and make sure he doesn't leave.
He had five and 11 rebounds. And the rim protection. I just keep talking about he, he does it real well. So now you got two games. Now we're coming into Charlotte. Last night, Charlotte had a horrible gloss to Philadelphia the night before when they really folded up in the third and fourth quarter after leading by about 10 or 15.
So you're thinking, okay, it's a back to back. Charlotte might not be, physically as strong, however. They've gotta, [00:07:00] this is important. Philadelphia, Boston, back to back at home. You gotta at least win one. They didn't. Now, for Boston there was no brown, no D white, but there was no problem.
Boston played well and a 1 41 14 to 99 win. But the thing that was the most thing, the best thing you could take from that game. Tatum's back. Tatum played great. He was tremendous. He was the old self, 32, 5 and eight. He was five for 10 from three. All, not quite a triple double, but that will come as things go along.
And then you got Peyton Prichard again. He just tremendous at being able to get a shot no matter who's around him. He did it against the land at the end of a quarter where he went with three guys around him. He went to the basket and shot a rainbow shot that went in from about five feet out. He just gets a shot.
He had 28, 6 and six valuable. He's such a good [00:08:00] scorer and a good player, and he can rebound a little bit. As evidenced by the six rebounds he had again, cater. Very good. Just a great problem player. And he's becoming such a good solid Celtic player. And the prototypical NBA center of today RI protection come up, set screens up high and roll to the basket.
And he's got a little bit of an offensive game, and he's getting better there too. So he's a key. He had 12 and eight. Shireman had 14, including some big threes. I believe Hornets cut it to nine with a couple minutes left, 6, 5, 6, 7 minutes left. Shireman hit a big three to, bring it back over to double figures and helped them win.
He had 14, as I said, hornets weren't sharp thes. Let's be honest. But it doesn't take away that Boston played well. 41% again from three. Another good night at the three, and again, you can look at Boston and say they're led by how they shoot the three. [00:09:00] Meaning if they cold, we got a tough night. The defense was outstanding.
In Charlotte, they shot 43% from the four, 28% from three. A real good win. Now, as a Celtic fan, I never expected what's gone on this year. I thought this was a year. Okay, you win 45, you go in the playoffs, you get knocked out early. As a Celtic fan, this is just pure fun. It is just fun to watch. It is a group of people that play together.
They like playing with each other and they're all there for one reason. Win. If you watch a game, you are always amazed if Garza's playing and he does something real well, they'll flash to the bench and Kate to being as big as fan. It, it's such a great attitude. Jordan Walsh doesn't play for six games.
Comes in the other night and he's great. And there's no anger or disgust or [00:10:00] disappointment. They're all pulling for each other. Fans. You gotta understand, we will not see things like this every year. And what this is right now is a testament to Joe Missoula, testament to Brad Stevens, and a testament to the two leaders, brown and Tatum.
Tatum remember, was with the team. While he was hurt, he traveled with them and was always there. Very important. Shows how much he's intertwined in Celtic A and wants to be a Celtic. Jalen Brown has been encouraging and the leader of the gang this year, those two have. Created this atmosphere with Missoula of just a team a team working together.
The last thing I wanna say, and I've said it before, Brad Stevens has put together a team and it's very interesting. It's a very intelligent team. 'cause you watch, they don't make a lot of mistakes defensively. They know their places, other, the rotations. [00:11:00] He's put together a team of people, of men who, good character people as well as good basketball players, and they're willing to pull for each other.
Celtic fans, sit back, enjoy it no matter where it ends. This is fun to watch, and we don't get this all the time. Think back to the Ricky Davis days. If you're a Celtic fan, you'll know what I'm talking about. It wasn't fun. This is fun. Think back to the Petito days and this. Is much better than those days.
That's it for this week. Great talking about the Celtics, and hopefully we just keep winning and rolling along. See you until next week. Take care.
