SI's Chris Mannix joins, says if Celtics win championship, it's the most impressive of all time

In this episode of WEEI Afternoons, host Chris Mannix from Sports Illustrated joins to discuss the Boston Celtics' remarkable season and their potential path to an NBA championship. Mannix argues that if the Celtics win the title, it would be the most impressive in NBA history due to the team's near-total roster overhaul, zero preseason expectations, and the absence of a superstar after Jason Tatum's injury. He highlights the emergence of role players like Luka Garza and Josh Minott, the strategic importance of Nikola Vucevic’s floor-spacing ability, and the coaching brilliance of Joe Mazzulla, who has maximized limited talent. Mannix also weighs in on the Celtics' playoff positioning, favoring a matchup with Cleveland over New York, and praises Mazzulla’s chances for Coach of the Year. The conversation shifts to Michael Malone’s surprising move to become head coach at North Carolina, which Mannix calls a strange fit given Malone’s NBA coaching style and the college game’s focus on player development and recruiting. The episode closes with a brief segment on the Red Sox and Fenway Park’s sunny return.