View From The Rafters: Behind the Scenes with the Boston Celtics

Remember when Isaiah Thomas popcorned Jaylen Brown’s car during JB’s rookie season? Isaiah Thomas does, and he tells the whole story here. IT joined the VFTR crew in studio during his recent trip to Boston to remember the glory days of when he and Celtics Nation first fell in love, and how it still feels like he’s on the roster. Thomas describes what it felt like to become a bona fide superstar for the Celtics during his 2.5 seasons in Boston. He became an MVP candidate. As a result, he earned some dream opportunities that he still remembers like it was yesterday, like hearing Shaq and Kevin Garnett respect and compliment him during a trip to the Inside the NBA studios, and his first experience as an NBA All-Star. 00:55: IT explains why Boston feels like home to him, and how it feels like he’s still on the roster05:30: Isaiah promises it felt “different” the first time he suited up for the Celtics at TD Garden07:00: IT touches on his height, at 5-foot-9, and how that supercharged his story09:00: Grande says IT was “the match to the flame” for those underdog teams10:50: Telling the story of a memorable trip to the Inside the NBA studios14:00: Remembering his first All-Star experience and being like “a kid in a candy store”17:00: What it was like playing with rookie Jaylen Brown20:45: IT tells the story of when he popcorned Jaylen Brown’s car at TD Garden23:50: IT plugs is hew podcast – the Point Game Pod

Luka Garza grew up an East Coast guy, and after eight years in the Midwest, is excited to be back after signing with the Boston Celtics this past offseason. He explains what separated the Celtics from other potential suiters in free agency, including the fact that some members of Boston’s front office still remembered his pre-Draft workout from 2021. Garza also dives into the astonishing lineage of athletic success in his family, and opens up about a life-threatening surgery he underwent heading into his sophomore year of college that led to a 10-pound cyst being removed from his abdomen.00:15: Living in downtown and settling into Boston02:10: On the drivers in Boston03:00: The Celtics have had an eye on Garza for a while05:50: Attractiveness of the Celtics’ player development program and what sets it apart09:10: On the developing chemistry of the new frontcourt with Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman11:50: The astonishing lineage of athletic success in his family, dating back decades16:05: Reliving a life-threating surgery that led to a 10-pound cyst being removed from his abdomen

Bill Russell, Tommy Heinsohn and KC Jones told stories for decades about their basketball dynasty during the 1950s and 1960s. But what was it like growing up as one of their children during those epic dynasty years?Karen Russell, Paul Heinsohn and Bryna Jones, who are children of those three NBA legends and Basketball Hall of Famers, came together for a special episode that revolved around that exact topic. Amid the conversation, they discuss parallels between those great dynasty teams,and the teams of the present that are headlined by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.00:40: Growing up as a kid during Celtics dynasty years03:02: Differences between being a Celtics kid now, versus back in the day08:30: How social media reconnected the “Dynasty Kids”11:33: Why KC Jones is under-appreciated, and how Red Auerbach respected his players14:12: What it was like having an NBA coach as a dad22:35: The care Russell, Heinsohn, Jones and the Celtics had for one another23:50: The Celtics dynasty teams used to do what?!26:55: Reflecting on the Celtics City docuseries on HBO30:28: Remembering Bill Russell saying in the 1969 Finals that the Lakers’ balloons wouldn’t be dropped31:18: Detachment from their fathers due to the team travel34:15: Discussing the current players and their kids, including Jayson and Deuce Tatum39:30: Why are they and their families such fans of the current Celtics teams?44:55: Seeing their dads’ numbers hanging in the rafters never gets old

Get to know the history and personality of one of the newest Celtics, Anfernee Simons, as he joins View From The Rafters for the first time. Simons explains why he believes the Celtics culture and coaching will take his game to another level this season. He also opens up about some of the most emotional and “craziest” experiences of his NBA career, including having a front-row seat to Damian Lillard’s game-winner against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, and scoring 43 points the day after his grandfather passed away in 2022.

What led to Joe Mazzulla saying some of his wildest quotes? How did Payton Pritchard make it through the 2021-22 season, when he requested a trade? What makes the STOCK Exchange of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday so special? Those are just a few of the topics we cover in Season 5’s greatest hits episode. We also highlight the top moments from our mega Celtics podcast crossover, talk with assistant coaches Sam Cassell and Phil Pressey about their journeys and futures, and catch up with rookies Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson on what they’ve learned from being around superstars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Enjoy the greatest hits from another excellent season (and one that’s still ongoing – we’ve got more episodes to come)!   00:19 - Joe Mazzulla11:06 - Derrick White & Jrue Holiday17:25 - Sam Cassell24:53 - Anton Watson & Baylor Scheierman29:36 - Payton Pritchard37:08 - Phil Pressey42:25 - Mega-CrossoverSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when many of the top Celtics podcasts unite under one roof? You get the official Celtics mega crossover pod 🎙️☘️ View From The Rafters hosts Marc D’Amico, Sean Grande and Abby Chin brought John Karalis of Locked On Celtics, Chris Forsberg of Celtics Talk and Jay King of Still Poddable together for a one-of-a-kind episode featuring great stories, New Year’s resolutions and light-hearted shenanigans along the way. They discuss their favorite Celtics memories, such as Leon Powe’s return to Oakland and Isaiah Thomas’ 53-point playoff gem, as well as which player is the best quote from those whom they’ve covered. They close it out with some measured opinions on the 2024-2025 campaign. Check out the end of the pod where they give a special shoutout to their fans and info on how you can listen to each show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Pressey has been around the Celtics for almost two decades. Whether it was beating Tony Allen in shooting bets as a kid, getting picked up as an undrafted free agent as a player, or now being a coach for the title-winning Celtics, he embodies what it means to be a Celtic. Phil tells us what it was like growing up around NBA players as his dad was racking up a 20-year coaching career, and how that experience shaped him as a coach. He also talks about his relationship with Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla, including how he wound up back in Boston on their coaching staff, and about Payton Pritchard’s insane work ethic. He even tells kids from his hometown to pay attention to what Pritchard brings to the table.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Payton Pritchard, a rising star for the Boston Celtics known for his incredible work ethic and sharpshooting, shares his inspiring journey. He discusses his transformative season, balancing personal life and professional growth while overcoming significant challenges. Payton opens up about battling mental health struggles and the lessons learned from adversity. With a hint of humor, he shares anecdotes about teammates and his pursuit of excellence, all while looking forward to the exciting future ahead.

The COVID-19 pandemic broke out at the tail end of Baylor Scheierman’s and Anton Watson’s freshman seasons in college. The pandemic wound up shaping the rest of their lives, as both wound up staying in college for five years. The two Boston Celtics rookies and draft picks recall what it was like when COVID hit, how they benefited from an extra year of college basketball, what they’ve learned from being teammates with superstars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and what they think of head coach Joe Mazzulla.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Cassell, a Celtics assistant coach and four-time NBA champion, dives into his storied career. He shares the emotional highs of winning titles, including special moments like greeting Jayson Tatum with a champagne shower. Cassell discusses Joe Mazzulla's coaching style and Jayson Tatum's unique coachability, emphasizing the teamwork that fosters success. He also touches on the dynamics of building strong relationships within the Celtics organization and explores the aspirations of coaching in the NBA.