Tue Mar 25 02:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Celtics’ “Dog Mentality” and Cryptic “Baja” Chant Fuel Winning Streak

**Boston, MA** – The Boston Celtics’ surprising success this season isn’t just down to skill; it’s also fueled by a unique team spirit and a rather unusual locker room vocabulary. The team’s “dog mentality,” popularized last year by Jaylen Brown’s “Where my road dogs at?” rallying cry, continues to inspire their impressive away record. This year, the phrase has been adopted and adapted, leading to barking players and a cryptic chant.

The Celtics boast a league-best 28-7 away record, tying the franchise’s best-ever away winning percentage of .800, set by the 1972-73 team. This winning attitude is further emphasized by players like Kristaps Porzingis, who uses a pre-game “Where my doggies at?” And the on-court antics of Luke Kornet and Derrick White, who engage in enthusiastic barking during games.

While the “dog mentality” is readily understood, the team’s post-huddle chant, “1-2-3… Baja!”, is shrouded in mystery. While initially thought to be a reference to the Baha Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out?”, the team clarified it’s likely a derivative of Shaquille O’Neal’s “BBQ Chicken” phrase, though its precise origins remain unclear.

According to players, the chant’s lineage traces back to Kornet’s college days at Vanderbilt, where a teammate, Wade Baldwin IV, frequently used the term. The seemingly nonsensical phrase has become a rallying cry for the team, often spontaneously shouted by Kornet during games. Brown playfully admits he doesn’t know the meaning but embraces its aggressive energy, describing it as “straight to the Baja,” signifying a no-nonsense approach.

The Celtics’ unique blend of canine-inspired spirit and a mysterious chant seems to be working wonders, and their impressive away record suggests this unusual team chemistry is a significant factor in their success.

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