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

Paul Pierce has STORIES 🗣️The Truth goes down memory lane to talk about his relationship with Kobe Bryant and how the two told each other during the summer of 2007 that they thought their respective careers with the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers were done. Pierce also tells story after story about Kevin Garnett, the 2009 Celtics, load management, National TV Rondo and much more from the past. When it comes to the present? Pierce has been out at the Auerbach Center with this season’s team. He takes you inside the conversations he’s had with the players and the coaches , and even gives a full demonstration of what he taught Paul George at practice the day before about scoring around the elbows.

How did the Boston Celtics come to build what may be the best player enhancement/development staff in the NBA? Craig Luschenat, Director of Player Enhancement for the Celtics, joins the podcast to discuss some of the behind-the-scenes secrets that has led to the recent development of a long list of impactful players, from Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser, to Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta, to Baylor Scheierman and Ron Harper Jr., and a list that continues to this day. Luschenat reveals that a lot of it has to do with how the brain works and forms new neural connections. That’s why Boston’s staff leverages its youth and creativity to make players fail as much as possible on the practice court.00:00: What is player enhancement/development?02:30: Balancing team needs vs. player growth03:30: Developing younger players vs. older players04:45: How the Celtics build out an individual plan for each player07:00: Explanation of different types of film sessions09:00: Establishing a plan, and then putting it into action13:45: How do the Celtics tweak players’ shooting form?16:00: How the Celtics challenge elite shooters like Sam Hauser16:45: What a day and week looks like for players19:15: What has led to the establishment of this culture?20:45: Explaining what player enhancement meetings entail22:10: Craig Luschenat’s big breaks and how he got to the NBA22:40: All of the people involved with player enhancement each day

“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 program04:19: Dillon Mitchell on playing for Rick Pitino at St. John’s05:25: Chris Cenac Jr. on his constant drive to improve07:05: Stories from playing in the McDonald’s All-American game09:00: What’s it like being a top-10 recruit in the nation in high school?12:25: Going through the NBA Draft process14:30: Dillon Mitchell shares his Draft experience working out for the Celtics15:00: Looking up to Paul George17:05: Importance of having each other to lean on amid the rookie experience18:15: Expectations for this season19:45: Chris Cenac Jr. says he stopped Jayson Tatum!21:00: Chris Cenac Jr. on his Summer League buzzer-beater23:00: Chris Cenac Jr. on him and Mitchell Robinson coming from Louisiana23:45: The rookies discuss their family life26:20: 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 offseason05:00: 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 lives10:20: An interesting visit to Mitchell Robinson in Nashville12:00: What Mazzulla likes about this year’s team14:00: Players working out together in LA this offseason15:00: Why depth is so important nowadays in the NBA19:15: A brief discussion on NBA usage20:15: 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 athletes04:15: Derrick White on what drew him to the Curbside Care program06:10: Payton Pritchard explains where his work ethic and drive come from06:52: Mike Conley on what he appreciates now that his younger self didn’t07:40: 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 team09:57: Mike Conley says everyone is buying into the culture10:35: 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 injury12:55: Jayson Tatum on how the Celtics are building chemistry off the court14:10: Mike Conley explains how he used to be excited coming to TD Garden as a visitor15:20: 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 NBA04:20: The perception of “depth” in the NBA is changing08:20: Players being ready for unpredictable roles, highlighted by Luka Garza10:20: Why the Celtics don’t have a consistent “rotation”11:45: Anfernee Simons’ impressive growth with the Celtics13:42: Mazzulla makes fun of Marc14:48: Mazzulla’s constant pursuit of expanding his horizons and knowledge18:56: Are younger players becoming more open to new ideas?20:35: Celtics players presenting PowerPoints about themselves to the team24:50: Jaylen Brown’s MVP-level season27:10: 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 game06:25: Rookie year, starting out 29-5, Dunk Contest, learning from Bird/McHale/Parish10:48: Parallels to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s careers13:30: Shock factor of moving to Boston, seeing Hall of Famers at every practice15:05: Being named Captain of the Boston Celtics18:25: Exchanging “Brown No. 7” jerseys with Jaylen Brown, and JB’s legacy20:02: Brown’s scare with Wellesley police, who mistook him for an alleged bank robber23:44: 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 philosophies06:52: How Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla and European coaches have influenced his coaching style12:03: Handling the inconsistencies of life in the G League15:51: Insights on Amari Williams, Ron Harper Jr. and Max Shulga21:53: Coaching Maine to a franchise-record nine-game win streak27:53: 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 Celtics04:50: Favorite nicknames so far05:42: What led to his sudden emergence08:15: Sitting next to Jaylen Brown on the team plane11:45: Defending opposing superstars14:20: Getting through the difficult times17:45: Secret sauce of the development program at the Celtics