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.
Role changes have contributed to the bench’s lack of efficiency. Several players have been jolted by minimized places in the team hierarchy, which was thrown off further when Smart and Morris earned their way into the first unit. It’s impossible to pinpoint exactly how much the adjustment to new roles has impacted Brown, Rozier and Hayward, but all three players have admitted the shift has challenged them. Maybe there’s something to the idea that Irving’s absence Wednesday, as hurtful as it would be long term, in the short run helped give guys more comfort playing their games.
“We have a lot of talent. And, sometimes, with so much talent, there’s just not as much responsibility. That’s just the nature of the team,” Hayward said. “I think more responsibilities, more opportunities. I thought T-Ro played tremendous, especially in the first quarter, just setting the tone. With those opportunities, you try to make the most of them. So it’s a little bit different mindset (without Irving), but also different responsibility.”
The Celtics’ challenge for the rest of the season is to learn how to thrive together when everybody’s healthy and available. Brown and Rozier, assuming they stay on the bench, need to maximize whatever chances they receive and learn how to play efficiently with limited touches.
The Athletic — Missing their best player, Celtics show that their depth can shine without him
Watching Gordon Hayward have it all working last night — his jumper, explosiveness in getting to and scoring at the rim, crisp passing — was enough to make Celtics fans giddy. If we get that Hayward coupled with Kyrie on a more regular basis, the Celtics could finally start to rip off wins and look like the 60-plus-win team most dreamt of in September. For me, personally, there was nothing about which to be critical or skeptical of Hayward’s unexpected, yet reassuring performance.
But color me a bit skeptical when it comes to Terry Rozier’s 16/5/5 line over 32 minutes. I flipped to ESPN after last night’s game and heard Paul, Jalen and Chauncey start wondering if the Celtics might be better off without Kyrie Irving. Guys were playing more freely without him and the Roziers, Jayson Tatums and Jaylen Browns of the world were, in fact, a half away from the finals without him last season.
That’s great… learn to play with him. Learn to take advantage of the minutes you get. With the exception of Hayward, for whom I think it’s more injury related than fit related, guys need to adapt to Irving, who is absolutely crushing it this year.
So my takeaway from last night is this: It was great to see guys do more when given more responsibility as Hayward alluded to. You need to do it when your responsibilities are lessened, too.
Some folks are wondering if a prolonged stretch without Kyrie could be a good thing — perhaps the Cs would rip off 9 out of 10 and thus guys would get their swagger back and that would carry over when Irving returns. I think that’s crazy. Let’s bring back the team’s best player ASAP and continue to get better with him.
Until then, thanks, Gordo, for the quote so that I could use that Key and Peele image this morning.
Related links:
Mass Live — Gordon Hayward shows Boston Celtics his ceiling
Herald — Celtics have plenty in reserve to beat Timberwolves
On page 2, your Marcus-related injury updates
Celtics coach Brad Stevens had noted that Morris “looks like he’s hurting,” the veteran forward downplayed the injury while suggesting he’ll wait until Thursday to determine if he needs any imaging.
“It’s not scary. I wouldn’t use that word. But it is what it is,” said Morris. “I just feel like I hope I wake up and it just feels better. I know I’m stiff, you see how I’m turning my shoulders [to answers questions]? A crick, that’s what it feels like.”
[…]
Smart missed only nine minutes of game action before returning late in the third quarter. Smart finished with only 2 points but added eight assists and was plus-17 over 22 minutes of floor time.
“I just got hit in the right spot, back of the shoulder blade. It sent a sharp pain up to my neck area and that knocked the wind out of me a little bit,” said Smart. “But everything is OK. They cleared me. Nothing was out of the ordinary, and that’s the good thing.”
And Smart reported no issues after returning.
“It was a little tight but for the most part everything felt good,” he said.
NBCSports Boston — Marcus Morris’ neck is ‘sore as hell’ but Marcus Smart ok after shoulder scare
Not the best night health-wise for guys named Marcus. Watching on TV, the Smart injury initially seemed far scarier, as he held him arm limp in front of him, clutching at his shoulder while scurrying to the locker room. Then he, and all of us remembered he’s Marcus Smart and is tough as hell and so he came back minutes later.
You’d have to assume Mook is already questionable, if not doubtful, for Friday night against Dallas. The injury was predestined, however, because according to our guy John Karalis, it’s a twin thing:
Marcus Morris suffered a neck injury against Minnesota. His twin brother Markieff is already dealing with a neck injury.
Because, of course.
Related links:
Mass Live: Marcus Smart expects to be fine, Marcus Morris ‘sore as hell’
The rest of the links:
NBCSports Boston — Karl-Anthony Towns: ‘He [Horford] gave me so much
Herald — Hayward moving in right direction
Mass Live — 10 things we learned
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