The last time the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons crossed paths, the Celtics were seen as a team leaning into development for the season and the Pistons an interesting ball club projected to end up somewhere in the middle of a weaker Eastern Conference milieu. Then the two teams played, and Detroit center Jalen Duren had what then seemed like an outlier game with 24 points and 18 rebounds in a 119-113 Pistons victory Boston might have won had it been able to keep up on the boards.

But as we near the end of the month of November and the two Eastern Conference clubs get ready to square off again, it's become clear both teams are better than many expected, and the Pistons especially so. Duren appears to have taken a major leap forward that compliments Cade Cunningham expertly, and while not on Detroit's level, Boston has shown they aren't trying to lose and might even make the actual playoffs come April.

The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" got Motor City Hoops and Game Theory's Bryce Simon back on the pod to get us up to date on how Detroit has transformed their season and expectations with it, as well as getting an external set of eyes on how the Celtics have been playing of late. We of course preview their matchup and get caught up on news, so be sure to tune in this week.

Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com

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The Boston Celtics are the winningest team in the history of the NBA, and with that success comes a lot of historic moments that left indelible marks on our collective consciousness over the years. But with that success has also come a fair share of heartbreak that can only come from coming right up to the edge of winning it all and falling short.

These are the sort of moments that famed NBA writer and cultural historian Shea Serrano evokes in his new tome "Expensive Basketball," out as of late October at anywhere books are sold (Serrano prefers you grab it at an independent store if you can), and as alluded to above, it is not without a significant Celtics presence. The Hick From French Lick (Larry Bird, to you youngsters) has a prominent presence, and plenty of moments Boston fans would also like to forget pepper the book, which you should already be making plans to buy even before listening to the latest episode of "Havlicek Stole the Pod".

In it, the hosts sit down to talk about the book, how it came together, and why the sort of moments you just know are the expensive sort of basketball matter so much to us. We also get caught up on the news around the Celtics this week, so be sure to tune in.

Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com

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Beset with shooting slumps early in the season, trying to play faster and struggling with the results, and running into issues integrating new players are early-season road bumps that the Boston Celtics are trying to contend with (pun unintended) to start their 2025-26 campaign, but we could also easily be talking about the surprisingly underwhelming start of the Orlando Magic this season as well.

And these two Eastern Conference ball clubs will take the court at Kia Center this Friday, Nov. 7, to play a game included in the 2025 NBA Cup schedule. They will then follow it up with a rematch on Sunday, Nov. 9 as part of a home-and-home series hosted by the Magic. What's behind Orlando's rough start? Can the Celtics capitalize on their disjointed play to steal a win or two on the road? And what does the longer-term future hold for these teams based on what we've seen so far this season?

The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Rookie Wire editor Cody Taylor to talk about the team he covers and what's afflicting it to start 2025-26, and get caught up on all the important Celtics news to date. Be sure to tune in!

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Injuries and the collective bargaining agreement are impacting the early seasons of the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets both, if in different ways. And these two teams will collide for the first time in the NBA's 2025-26 regular season this weekend as Boston hosts the Rockets at TD Garden this Saturday (Nov. 1). What can we expect from a Houston - Boston tilt without Fred VanVleet and Jayson Tatum? How are their respective seasons going so far -- and why? And what does a successful season look like for both ball clubs given what we know about each so far?

The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Rockets Wire editor Ben DuBose to talk over all things Celtics and Rockets, as well as getting caught up on all the important news making the rounds early in the season for Boston.

We even discuss the odd coaching connections between the two cities even beyond Ime Udoka, the pros and cons of a buzz cut on NBA performance and why a Derrick White trade to Houston is not likely to happen, so be sure to tune in to this week's pod.

Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com

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What have we learned about the Boston Celtics in their season opener vs. the Philadelphia 76ers? What things do they still need to work on? And what do we think about the Celtics season now that we have had our first look at how this version of the team on the court in games that count? The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" wanted to take the pulse of the season now that we have the smallest of sample size to work with.

To that end, they linked up with NBC Sports Boston's Max Lederman to talk all things Celtics, Sixers, and the season ahead, from better play from the big men than expected to the poor perimeter defense, rim protection, and frequent mistakes one might expect from a team in the midst of a retooling campaign.

They also get into the news -- and boy is there some explosive news with regard to Scary Terry and co. -- as well as the historic debut we witnessed of Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe, so be sure to tune in.

Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com

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Preseason for the Boston Celtics has come and gone, and Opening Night for the NBA's 2025-26 regular season is coming soon. With it comes a tilt with the Celtics' Atlantic Division rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers, at a moment where neither team is on especially solid footing regarding their respective futures. We have a basic idea of what this version of the Celtics will play like after letting Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet go, but little clarity about how that will play out on the court.

Much could be said for the Sixers as well, and Boston has about as tough of a two-week start beyond that with games vs. the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, and Cleveland Cavaliers before facing the 76ers again. To get a bead on what Boston should expect from Philly, whether Joel Embiid and Paul George will be healthy, and how the East might look to start the coming campaign, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Sixers Wire editor and friend of the pod Ky Carlin.

We even touch on how Joe Mazzulla might have transformed media games around the NBA, so be sure to tune in while we wait for the season to start.

Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com

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The Boston Celtics have played their first preseason game of their 2025-26 campaign, and with it, we can begin to talk about how the roster looks on the court together for the first time. Playing as fast as they were billed to be, Boston showed they can play another style of basketball when the rawness of their talent base demands it.

But they also showed some of the sloppiness and inexperience one might expect to see on a team with so few vets and so many new faces, hinting that there are still things to be ironed out even in the reduced expectations a retooling season brings. With that in mind, the hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" linked up with CelticsBlog contributor Mike Dynon to take stock of what we saw from the youth movement and the vets, as well as the remaining concerns we have about the roster.

We also get caught up on the news while navigating some minor technical difficulties, so please be patient with any glitches while you tune in.

Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com

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Media day for the Boston Celtics has come and gone with the team upbeat about the season ahead, and training camp has started. What have we learned about this version of the team as we inch closer to preseason basketball, if anything? It is the norm for players to be optimistic about the season ahead at what serves as the first official team act of any NBA campaign (often, irrationally so), but one can often pick up subtle clues about the direction and plans of a ball club as well with a trained ear. Did the Celtics give us such clues about the season ahead?

The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" took some time to sit down with Boston Dot Com's Khari A. Thompson to dive into everything we're hearing and seeing from media day and the first day of training camp, as well as what we've been hearing about how Boston alumni who have left the team are doing in their new homes.

We even take the pulse of the New England Patriots along the way for good measure, so be sure to tune in while we wait for the Celtics to take on the Memphis Grizzlies in preseason action next week.

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Which rising Boston Celtics prospects will make a leap forward this season? In something of a retooling season for the Celtics as star forward Jayson Tatum rehabs a torn Achilles tendon, the usual emphasis on deep postseason runs in pursuit of NBA titles has downshifted into a campaign that will focus on trying to find some diamonds in the rough among Boston's younger players.

More established players on the Celtics roster like Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Josh Minott, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh are looking to cement a spot in future Boston rotations. And the incoming trio of 2025 NBA Draft prospects Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga and two way forward RJ Luis are looking to polish their game as they look to grow their skills with the Maine Celtics.

To talk about what a successful development season might look like for each and the team as a whole, "Havlicek Stole the Pod" cohost Justin Quinn and guest Bryce Simon of "Pistons Pulse" and "Game Theory" sat down to hash out the finer details of a very different campaign for the Celtics. Check it out below!

Outro: Whistle by Benjamin Banger - https://tiny.ee/Jk4U or BenJaminBanger.com

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What should we expect from the Boston Celtics veterans this season? Much attention has rightfully been focused on the incoming and existing members of the roster who will be developmental projects for the season ahead, and rightfully so, given the importance of making the most out of this so-called "gap" year for the Celtics.

But while finding a diamond in the rough or two is important, keeping the winning culture of the team strong while continuing to expand the roles and capabilities of the vets should also be a significant part of the season ahead. What will that look like on a more granular level when talking about surefire starters like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White? What about players who may see their roles from past seasons and contexts change, like Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Chris Boucher, and Xavier Tillman Sr.?

The hosts of "Havlicek Stole the Pod" sat down with Forbes and Hardwood Houdini Celtics beat writer Bobby Krivitsky to talk through what we expect to see from Boston's veterans in the campaign ahead, and get caught up on the trickle of late offseason news still percolating up. Check it out!

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