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Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
"The game changes from a communication standpoint, to pick and roll . . . the game changes a lot," said guard Rajon Rondo. "He's definitely a low-post presence as well. We definitely miss him. I wanted him back a couple games ago, but he has to take care of his body and be conscious of the long run. The same thing he told me when I was down, just be smart and try to hold it down as much as possible until he gets back."
Rivers, in typical Rivers fashion, joked about how important Garnett is to the Celtics.
"Kevin's our . . . it's like losing your best defensive player, your best talker and your quarterback. Outside of that," quipped Rivers, "it's not that big a deal."
Celtics could have Garnett for rematch with Magic
We keep having these little debates every once in a while over who is the team's MVP. Is it KG? Is it Rondo? Is it someone else?
It always boils down to KG an Rondo, it seems… and honestly, you can make the case for each. Unfortunately, we've seen the team run without both this year and the game changes in significant ways without each.
Garnett's communication on the floor is probably the most important aspect of the game. To have a player that can so affect his teammates' defense just by seeing what's going on and barking out orders behind them is special. We're all taught to talk on defense, but all quarterbacks (to continue with Doc's analogy) are taught to read defenses and make adjustments. But not everyone is Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Not everyone on the court is Kevin Garnett… who sees everything and reads things before most other players do.
So yeah… I agree with Doc. Not having that around is really not a big deal.
Related links: WEEI: What KG's return means for the Celtics | Herald: Green-lighting Kevin Garnett |
On Page 2: Doc downplays tonight's game
"It's just a regular-season game," said Rivers. "There's history between us and all that stuff, so you always want to win. The game doesn't have real meaning, but guys get fired up, at least I hope ours do; I know the other teams do for sure.
"I like games like this, they're good for us. I don't think it shows us anything — we'll be playing hurt, if Kevin [Garnett] plays, and [Kendrick Perkins is] not back — that's why you can't overdo regular-season games because they don't have much meaning beyond that."
ESPN Boston: Celtics-Magic: Time to gauge progress
It'll be a good test to see how the team responds with KG back… but I gotta agree with Doc. You can't put TOO much importance on this one game. Without Perk, this is still not the matchup it would be in playoffs.
Related links: Globe: Hoping their act is together |
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston: Morning Shootaround: Progress report | WEEI: Perkins eyes February return | Herald: First contact: Perk goes live | CSNNE: Garnett Perkins return to practice | Globe: Celtics to honor King with minute
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