First To The Floor: A Boston Celtics Podcast

Recapping and commiserating over an absolutely devastating Game 5 loss to Milwaukee. What exactly happened down the stretch? Is Marcus Smart solely to blame, if at all? Plus, Robert Williams' potential Game 6 impact, and where does this game rank against other brutal losses in recent Celtics history? ANNOUNCEMENT: We are joining the new sports streaming service, Playback, and will be live streamin...

NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg joins the pod to discuss Al Horford's perfect complexion and his immense impact on perhaps the biggest Celtics win in several years. How will the rest of the series play out? Are there any takeaways from game 4 that should have fans feeling more or less confident? Plus, adjustments for game 5 and Grant Williams' contract extension. Learn more about your ad choice...

CelticsJ invites back fellow redditor u/Miles_Playvis aka PJ as well as CelticsBlog writer Adam Taylor to discuss several postseason considerations! Starting with a recent post from Celtics Reddit asking if it is time to fully acknowledge Tatum > Luka, some quick game 2 considerations, and whether the Bucks matchup is just not right for Robert Williams. We also look ahead to Saturday's game 3 and...

Matt Pennie of the Athletic’s Game Theory Podcast joins Wayne Spooney for game 2 reactions, a look-ahead to game 3, and the undeniable impact of HOG Fest on Marcus Smart’s health. Plus, a breakdown of the prospects brought in for the Celtics' recent pre-draft workouts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Celtics struggled to score from nearly everywhere on the court in game 1, succumbing to a potent Milwaukee Bucks defense. Did the Bucks dominate the Celtics, or did Celtics simply just play poorly? What adjustments can the Celts make to right the ship in game 2? Plus introducing a new (hopefully temporary) segment called “Everything’s gonna be fine because…”. Learn more about your ad choices....

What is the actual impact of Middleton's absence? How will double bigs vs triple bigs play out? Creator of Celtics Corner, BSmooth, joins us to discuss the upcoming series against Giannis' Bucks. Plus, which role players are likely to feature heavily, the point-guard battle, and can Payton Pritchard exploit the Bucks' lack of 3-pt defense? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

The Celtics showed incredible resolve down the stretch in game 4 to SWEEP Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, just like we all expected. What were the critical moments of the game, and how were the Nets THIS bad in a playoff series? Plus, preliminary Bucks discussion, Ime's game planning, and a cathartic Kyrie experience.  Special guest: Jags2Riches from Celtics Corner. Learn more about your ad ch...

How was this series lived up to expectations so far? Is this Celtics defense sustainable? Plus, a belated celebration of Marcus Smart's Defensive Player of the Year award, and is now just a ring away for Hall of Fame consideration? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Immediate reactions, celebrations, and genuine sighs of relief after the Celtics' gutsy comeback win against the Brooklyn Nets. What adjustments did both teams make going into this one? What mid-game adjustments were made, and what changes should we expect going into games 3 and 4 in Brooklyn? Plus, the battle of the role players, and Payton Pritchard establishing himself as a playoff contributor....

Spooney breaks down whether the Celtics' statistical profile fits any other recent championship winner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J and Spooney bask in the elation of a Celtics crunch time win over the Nets in game 1 of their first-round series. They (kind of) break down the game and explain why they think there are more good times to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What takeaways from the Nets' play-in game are relevant for the Celtics' first-round playoff matchup? How does the Celtics' switching defense hold up to the Nets' iso-heavy play style? Plus, reports of an imminent Ben Simmons Return, cause for optimism, and Ime Udoka's inside knowledge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the end of the regular season upon us, it’s time to pause and reflect on how the Celtics and their fans have evolved throughout such a wild season. In particular, Marcus Smart has evolved into an unquestionably elite NBA starting point guard, and Ime Udoka has inserted himself into the Coach of the Year conversation in his rookie season. Plus, end of season seeding scenarios, and questioning...

Are the Celtics at their peak heading into the playoffs? Have we seen enough "Theis instead of Rob" to feel confident about our first-round matchup? Jake Issenberg of the Backdoor Cut podcast joins us to discuss playoff readiness and the sneaky greatness of the Theis starting lineup. Plus, how Jaylen Brown is offsetting a mini Tatum slump, Pritchard as a playoff x-factor, and to rest or not to res...

Emmy Award winner and Associate Producer for NBC Sports Boston, Max Lederman, joins us to discuss his role and influence on the Celtics TV broadcast, including the goat-level captions that bless our screens on a nightly basis. Plus, the current state of the Celtics heading into the playoffs, potential offseason moves, and balancing Celtics work-life with real-life Sixers fandom. Learn more about y...

Can Daniel Theis hold the fort as starting center in Robert Williams' absence? What adjustments has Ime Udoka made since Timelord's injury? Plus, evaluating the adjusted injury timeline, why Grant got demoted back to the bench, solid non-Rob lineups and revisiting potential first-round matchups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Celtics have been nothing short of incredible since early 2022, but what questions remain? Can Jayson Tatum really be the best player on a championship team? Will the offense hold up in playoff crunch time? Plus, has Marcus Smart exceeded expectations, and ideal playoff matchups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celtics sideline reporter for NBC Sports Boston, Abby Chin, joins us to talk reactions to the Celtics win against the Jazz, and how the vibes around this team compare to teams of Celtics' past. Plus, we all know the energy has shifted, but what was the cause? Is it anything beyond Mercury coming out of retrograde? Later, sideline reporting bloopers, and NBA Top Shot. Learn more about your ad choic...

Spooney tries to answer the unanswerable question, who is the Celtics’ third best player? The candidates: Marcus Smart, Rob Williams, Derrick White, and Al Horford. Which of these guys comes out on top and claims the title of “third best player.” Until one of the other guys has a good game of course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celtics writer for Barstool Sports, Dan Greenberg, joins us to discuss the loss to the Mavericks, its implications for the playoffs, and playoff matchups to target (or avoid). Plus, in the afterglow of the KG jersey retirement ceremony, is Ray Allen worthy of the same? How should other pillars of Celtics lore be celebrated? Later, the emotional spectrum of Celtics fandom, and being challenged by r...

In this one, Spooney takes a look at the early returns on Derrick White. We know he's not shooting the ball well, but what impact does he have on the Celtics offense and defense? Then he turns to some lineup data to see how he plays with the other Celtics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics' incredible run continues as they storm the hive and take down the Hornets. With Scal hyping up Tatum as a genuine top 5 player in the league, is it time to actually consider it as truth? Plus, strange vibes in the first 3 quarters of the Hornets game, and Derrick White's acclimation is progressing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jayson Tatum drops 54 on Durant and the Nets in what has been the most enjoyable stretch of the Celtics' season so far. Are the Celtics legitimate title contenders this year? What remaining questions are there about this team? Plus, breaking down the Nets game, Payton Pritchard's improved defense, and what looked worse? The "Kyrie Sucks" chants or Big Baby's seat-stealing adventures? Learn more ab...

In this episode, Spooney continues last week's comparison of Jayson Tatum to similar wings, namely, Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Brandon Ingram. This one tackles rim attacks, jump shooting, and overall impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBC Sports Boston Analyst and host of the Celtics Talk Podcast Chris Forsberg joins us to laugh in the face of a loss to the Pacers, review the “Grant instead of Horford” lineup, and Tatum’s true defensive ranking. Plus, how do the new 10-day guys impact the Celtics' buyout options? Later, Payton Pritchard player comps and the virtues of JR Bremer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...