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

“That’s prime PG!” Celtics rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell join the pod to talk about being teammates with a legend like Paul George, who is an idol for players of their age. They say there’s been some moments that have almost left them speechless. The rookies also share very bluntly why they know playing for the Boston Celtics is different than everywhere else in the league, including some fan interactions, and what their interactions were like with the Celtics leading up to the 2026 NBA Draft.

00:00: Adjusting to NBA life and the Celtics’ player development program
04:19: Dillon Mitchell on playing for Rick Pitino at St. John’s
05:25: Chris Cenac Jr. on his constant drive to improve
07:05: Stories from playing in the McDonald’s All-American game
09:00: What’s it like being a top-10 recruit in the nation in high school?
12:25: Going through the NBA Draft process
14:30: Dillon Mitchell shares his Draft experience working out for the Celtics
15:00: Looking up to Paul George
17:05: Importance of having each other to lean on amid the rookie experience
18:15: Expectations for this season
19:45: Chris Cenac Jr. says he stopped Jayson Tatum
!21:00: Chris Cenac Jr. on his Summer League buzzer-beater
23:00: Chris Cenac Jr. on him and Mitchell Robinson coming from Louisiana
23:45: The rookies discuss their family life
26:20: What stands out most about being a member of the Celtics?

Let’s play Random Questions with Joe!🙋‍♂️ In Part 2 of our two-part conversation with the Boston Celtics head coach, Joe Mazzulla answers a long list of random questions off the cuff. Learn how much coffee he drinks each day (and what time he cuts himself off), what his self-proclaimed worst quality is, which of his players is or was the best debater, and much more. Plus, Joe turns vulnerable on some answers, leading him to him sharing what the most addictive part of his job is, and discussing the personal challenges he faced after his father passed away.

00:00: Is Joe Mazzulla humble?
06:40: Time to play Random Questions with Joe! How much coffee does he drink?
07:16: What’s the best lesson Joe has ever learned?
08:17: Does Mazzulla overthink things?
10:17: What’s the basketball cliché he hates most?
13:00: Which player who he has coached is/was the best debater?
13:45: What’s the hardest thing he has ever done?
16:15: What’s more important to NBA success: natural skill, or confidence?
19:20: What’s the most addictive part of being an NBA coach?
21:46: What’s the most interesting thought Joe has had today?

This is where you learn about how Joe Mazzulla REALLY approaches life and basketball 🏀 In Part 1 of our two-part conversation with the Boston Celtics head coach, Mazzulla shares his approach to knowing his players on a deeply personal level, which has led to him traveling all over the world during the offseason to see them in their natural, home environments. The coach also shares a story about how Deuce Tatum said one word following a loss that snapped Mazzulla’s perspective on fatherhood and basketball into a clear image. The conversation then dives into Mazzulla’s outlook on the current team, why depth is so important in the NBA, and – randomly – how aggregators recently pulled a quote of his somewhat out of context.

00:35: The purpose behind visiting his players in the offseason
05:00: What would we learn about Joe if we went with him to his hometown?
06:30: Building relationships with players of all stages of careers and lives
10:20: An interesting visit to Mitchell Robinson in Nashville
12:00: What Mazzulla likes about this year’s team
14:00: Players working out together in LA this offseason
15:00: Why depth is so important nowadays in the NBA
19:15: A brief discussion on NBA usage
20:15: Aggregators pulling Mazzulla’s quotes out of context

Tipping off View from the Rafters Season 7 in a BIG way 🔥 In this special episode, you get special access to Evan Turner's roundtable discussion with Celtics players Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Mike Conley Jr. at the annual Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Tip-Off Gala. They discuss everything from their impact in the community, to who would win a 1-on-1 tournament, to who is leader in the clubhouse in the team golf standings. If you want to laugh with the stars, make sure you watch this one all the way through.

01:10: Jayson Tatum on understanding the “superpower” of pro athletes
04:15: Derrick White on what drew him to the Curbside Care program
06:10: Payton Pritchard explains where his work ethic and drive come from
06:52: Mike Conley on what he appreciates now that his younger self didn’t
07:40: Apparently Jayson Tatum is a sandbagger on the golf course?
08:40: Derrick White is excited to see what the new Celtics provide to the team
09:57: Mike Conley says everyone is buying into the culture
10:35: Payton Pritchard says a lot of Celtics are “ready to take another step”
11:25: Jayson Tatum admits he may have taken the start of seasons for granted before this injury
12:55: Jayson Tatum on how the Celtics are building chemistry off the court
14:10: Mike Conley explains how he used to be excited coming to TD Garden as a visitor
15:20: Payton Pritchard on the Celtics playing with an “underdog mentality”
16:05: Who from the panel would be the best coach?
17:25: Who from the panel would win a 1-on-1 tournament if they were all their 25-year-old selves

Prepare yourself for nearly 40 minutes of Joe Mazzulla gold! From comparing Formula 1 racers to NBA players, to revealing that he has a text thread dedicated to Pet Peeves, to explaining why he’s asked all of the Boston Celtics players to share PowerPoint presentations about themselves with the team this season, this episode has it all. Mazzulla also answers whether he trusts his gut or the data more throughout an NBA season, and dives into how the Celtics have pursued being the smartest team in the league, what stands out most from Jaylen Brown’s MVP-level season, and Anfernee Simons’ professionalism and impact on the C’s. Enjoy the Season 6 finale of View from the Rafters, with Mazzulla, Marc D’Amico and Sean Grande.

00:25: Pursuit of becoming the smartest team in the NBA
04:20: The perception of “depth” in the NBA is changing
08:20: Players being ready for unpredictable roles, highlighted by Luka Garza
10:20: Why the Celtics don’t have a consistent “rotation”
11:45: Anfernee Simons’ impressive growth with the Celtics
13:42: Mazzulla makes fun of Marc
14:48: Mazzulla’s constant pursuit of expanding his horizons and knowledge
18:56: Are younger players becoming more open to new ideas?
20:35: Celtics players presenting PowerPoints about themselves to the team
24:50: Jaylen Brown’s MVP-level season
27:10: Rapid Fire: Gut or Data, Pet Peeves, Who He’d Want to Fight, Sleep Habits & More

Scratch your 90s nostalgia itch with Dee Brown, who starred for the Celtics from 1990-1998. Brown touches on entering the league on a stacked Celtics team that featured Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Reggie Lewis, and winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie. He also comments on parallels to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s careers, as each of those players entered the league on title-contending teams. Brown goes on to reveal what it meant to him to be named Celtics captain, and his experience participating in and winning ESPN’s ‘Dream Job’ show that featured Stuart Scott, Stephen A. Smith, Woody Page and other famous ESPN personalities.

00:20: Brown on being back in Boston and getting a standing ovation during the Celtics-Bulls game
06:25: Rookie year, starting out 29-5, Dunk Contest, learning from Bird/McHale/Parish
10:48: Parallels to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s careers
13:30: Shock factor of moving to Boston, seeing Hall of Famers at every practice
15:05: Being named Captain of the Boston Celtics
18:25: Exchanging “Brown No. 7” jerseys with Jaylen Brown, and JB’s legacy
20:02: Brown’s scare with Wellesley police, who mistook him for an alleged bank robber
23:44: Experience of wining ESPN’s ‘Dream Job’ and working alongside Stuart Scott & Stephen A. Smith

Phil Pressey has gone from Celtics player, to Celtics assistant coach, to Maine Celtics head coach. He covers his journey in detail in this week’s episode, including how Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla have influenced his coaching philosophy and daily approach to the job. Pressey tells a crazy story from this season that encapsulates the nature of life in the G League (and he sounds a bit like Joe Mazzulla while telling it). Plus, Pressey gives his insights on Celtics rookie draft picks Amari Williams and Max Shulga, plus two-way player Ron Harper Jr.

00:10: Becoming head coach of the Maine Celtics and coaching philosophies
06:52: How Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla and European coaches have influenced his coaching style
12:03: Handling the inconsistencies of life in the G League
15:51: Insights on Amari Williams, Ron Harper Jr. and Max Shulga
21:53: Coaching Maine to a franchise-record nine-game win streak
27:53: Crazy stories from life in the G League

Jordan Walsh made a presentation to his Celtics teammates this season about anime. He tells you how it came up and what he taught them, and how the exercise has built team chemistry. Walsh also details the mental struggles of his first two seasons in the NBA, and what has led to his sudden emergence as a critical player for the Celtics. The third-year forward, who sits next to superstar Jaylen Brown on the team plane, also brings viewers into what it’s like to be next to Brown every day, and the comment from Jayson Tatum that got Walsh through his first two seasons.

00:30: Walsh explains his love of anime and his presentation to the Celtics
04:50: Favorite nicknames so far
05:42: What led to his sudden emergence
08:15: Sitting next to Jaylen Brown on the team plane
11:45: Defending opposing superstars
14:20: Getting through the difficult times
17:45: Secret sauce of the development program at the Celtics

Dominique Wilkins, knnown as the Human Highlight Film, had one of the most successful returns from a ruptured Achilles in NBA history, as he returned to action after just 10 months and averaged 30 points per game that season. As Jayson Tatum recovers from his own Achilles tear, Wilkins gives advice and insight into what it takes to successfully return from the injury. Wilkins also turns the clock back to his memorable matchups against Larry Bird and the dynasty Celtics of the 1980s, and details his experience of signing with the Celtics in 1994 and what made him choose to live in Boston for years after his retirement.

00:55: Suffering an Achilles tear and the process of returning to play
08:00: Playing in Boston as a visiting player in the 1980s
13:45: Historic battle with Larry Bird in Game.7 in 1988
19:45: Top memories of playing for the Celtics and living in Boston
23:30: Leaving North Carolina and the ACC to play for Georgia in the SEC
24:45: Playing in the final game in the old Boston Garden
26:30: Jaylen Brown honoring Dominique in the Slam Dunk Contest

At just 19 years old, Hugo Gonzalez has made the leap from the Euroleague to the NBA look easy. He explains how signing into the Real Madrid basketball program in Spain at nine years old, and growing up in the Euroleague world, helped to develop him beyond his years. Gonzalez also explains the similarities and differences between Euroleague ball and NBA ball, as well as the challenges of his move to the league. We also learn of the impact Hugo’s parents, who were both professional players overseas, had on him growing up, and how they led him through the process of growing up in the Real Madrid program. Last but not least, Hugo comments on the legend of Luka Doncic, who also played for Real Madrid and faced the Celtics in a preseason game back in 2015.

00:24: On joining Real Madrid at 9 years old
04:25: On being teammates and roommates with Egor Emin, of the Brooklyn Nets, with Real Madrid
05:28: Similarities between the Boston Celtics and Real Madrid
06:25: Describing Euroleague basketball as the most tactical basketball in the world
11:15: What else is in his offensive bag that we haven’t seen?
12:12: Which is a stronger feeling for Hugo: his love for winning, or his hate for losing?
13:15: How his parents, who both played professionally in Europe, helped to mold him growing up
15:00: How he chose his first agent
16:20: The legend of Luka Doncic within the Real Madrid program

Josh Minott joins VFTR on his birthday – and he’s bringing the gift of storytelling. The rising Celtics forward dives into his NBA journey, the grind of earning minutes on a championship-level roster, and why humor helps him stay locked in through the ups and downs of a season. He shares what wearing No. 8 means to him, how Celtics fans have embraced his energy, and why playing hard is non-negotiable. Minott also opens up about his role in Boston’s depth-driven rotation, learning through real NBA reps, playing alongside another sparkplug wing in Hugo Gonzalez, and feeding off team energy. He touches on what it’s like guarding star players (preparing for war), his Jamaican heritage, championship hunger, and the fiery dynamic between him and Joe Mazzulla.

00:18: A birthday surprise for Josh
00:55: Navigating an inconsistent role on a deep roster
02:45: Josh seeing his hard work pay off
04:29: Building a winning routine
05:34: Why Celtics fans fell in love with Josh’s energy
08:20: The meaning behind No. 8
10:19: Playing alongside Hugo Gonzalez & feeding off team energy
11:08: Defensive mindset: guarding the opponent’s best
13:08: Jamaican heritage & hopes for Jamaican hoops
17:45: Championship goals & fiery relationship with Joe Mazzulla

Celtics Legend Robert Parish joins the VFTR pod for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the greatest eras in Boston basketball history, while connecting it with the game today. Parish reflects on the unselfish culture of the 1986 Celtics, reconnecting with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, and what it meant to be a part of the original Big 3. He shares stories of the moment he knew how special that Celtics team would become, the hard lesson he learned when joining that team, and the underappreciated legacy of Cedric Maxwell. The Hall-of-Famer also dives into going head-to-head with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, winning titles with both Bird and Michael Jordan, and comparisons between the 1986 and 2024 championship teams. He gives his thoughts on why Jayson Tatum is a “generational talent,” and his view on Victor Wembanyama and the evolution of big men. From Celtics City nostalgia to a Maxwell Hall of Fame campaign, The Chief delivers honesty, humor, and timeless perspective on what makes championship basketball.

1:36 – What made the 1986 Celtics so special
4:44 – Reuniting with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale
6:21 – Cedric Maxwell’s overlooked impact
8:08 – When Parish knew the Celtics were championship material
10:14 – The origin story of No. 00
12:11 – Jayson Tatum as a “generational talent”
14:26 – Similarities between 1986 and 2024 title teams
14:40 – Parish on load management & his games-played record
19:30 – Battling Kareem & the most unstoppable big men
22:48 – Winning titles with Bird and MJ, their different leadership styles
28:54 – Cedric Maxwell’s Hall of Fame campaign

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 roster
05:30: Isaiah promises it felt “different” the first time he suited up for the Celtics at TD Garden
07:00: IT touches on his height, at 5-foot-9, and how that supercharged his story
09:00: Grande says IT was “the match to the flame” for those underdog teams
10:50: Telling the story of a memorable trip to the Inside the NBA studios
14:00: 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 Brown
20:45: IT tells the story of when he popcorned Jaylen Brown’s car at TD Garden
23:50: 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 Boston
02:10: On the drivers in Boston
03:00: The Celtics have had an eye on Garza for a while
05:50: Attractiveness of the Celtics’ player development program and what sets it apart
09:10: On the developing chemistry of the new frontcourt with Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman
11:50: The astonishing lineage of athletic success in his family, dating back decades
16:05: 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 years
03:02: Differences between being a Celtics kid now, versus back in the day
08:30: How social media reconnected the “Dynasty Kids”
11:33: Why KC Jones is under-appreciated, and how Red Auerbach respected his players
14:12: What it was like having an NBA coach as a dad
22:35: The care Russell, Heinsohn, Jones and the Celtics had for one another
23:50: The Celtics dynasty teams used to do what?!
26:55: Reflecting on the Celtics City docuseries on HBO
30:28: Remembering Bill Russell saying in the 1969 Finals that the Lakers’ balloons wouldn’t be dropped
31:18: Detachment from their fathers due to the team travel
34:15: Discussing the current players and their kids, including Jayson and Deuce Tatum
39:30: 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 Mazzulla
11:06 - Derrick White & Jrue Holiday
17:25 - Sam Cassell
24:53 - Anton Watson & Baylor Scheierman
29:36 - Payton Pritchard
37:08 - Phil Pressey
42:25 - Mega-CrossoverSee https://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 https://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 https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Payton Pritchard is in the middle of a career year, both on and off the court. Whether it’s going viral after playing with kids in the park, getting married to a social superstar, or being the NBA’s leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, it takes a lot of work and focus to keep everything under control. But how did he get here? What did he have to go through to become who he is today? Payton takes us under the hood of how he crafted his incredible work ethic, and how he battled through the hardest year of his life – and a public trade request – to propel himself into NBA stardom this season with the Boston Celtics.See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.