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.
I didn’t even think about that,” said Pierce, more amused than nostalgic. “I don’t even know the latest [rumors].”
Pierce, always one of the more informed players when it comes to NBA news and scuttlebutt, actually seemed playfully curious about where trade rumors had him headed.
“What’s the latest?” he asked. Informed his name had swirled in a potential deal with the Brooklyn Nets, Pierce just smiled and shook his head.
Paul Pierce says he didn’t consider the possibility Wednesday’s game could be his last with Boston.
“I haven’t talked to [president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] about anything, but I’m sure if something comes up, he’ll probably call me,” said Pierce, who reportedly almost got shipped to the Nets at last season’s deadline. “You can’t worry about that. I have a job to do. And [Boston’s front office has] to do what’s best for them, for the franchise at the end of the day. I understand that. I’ve always understood that this is a business.”
“[Rumors] definitely haven’t infiltrated us, even though we are in the headlines — us and the Lakers, that’s all you see on TV,” said Jason Terry. “But it’s a lot of smoke and mirrors, man. It doesn’t look like [Boston management is] doing anything, but you never know.”
I think the guys are lying when they claim to ignore the rumors. They listen and it’s a topic of discussion.
But I do believe that veterans like Pierce, Terry and Garnett do not let the rumors affect their preparation or focus on the court.
There’s the happy medium. They discuss it (likely a lot with their wives, “But baby, I don’t wanna move to Atlanta…), but it’s not impacting on the court play.
As for those rumors, there isn’t anything new or hot. But Sean Devaney of the Sporting News offers some perspective on why the Celtics might be motivated to move Pierce:
Of Boston’s stars, then, that leaves Paul Pierce as the only prospect for a trade.
League sources pin that as a long shot, especially with Garnett staying put. Still, the Celtics are intrigued by the recent play of Jeff Green and the feeling is that he could blossom if he didn’t feel he needed to defer to Pierce. But Pierce remains one of the team’s most popular veterans, and shipping him off without getting full value would be a risky move.
Green feels the need to defer to Pierce? I’d have to see a statistical breakdown (where’s our intern Evan) that shows Green’s stats nosedive when he’s on the court with the Truth.
Those who stayed up to watch the Celtics play the Lakers last night were treated to steaming pile of manure. KWAPT was kind enough to recap the debacle. Inspired by the death of owner Jerry Buss, the Lakers came out with high-energy and the Celtics couldn’t do anything about it:
Garnett anticipated that it might be like this, and he reverted back to the warning he and Pierce shared with teammates on their way to this city.
“I was right on,” he said. “Paul and I was right on.”
Celtics now 0-2 on the 5 game trip. Up next, Phoenix and Portland. Two winnable games. I think.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – For Williams, 2nd chance at impression | Rapid Reaction: Lakers 113 Celtics 99 | CSNNE – Slim chance Celtics acquire difference maker | Herald – Doc instructs Bradley, Lee to score more | Lakers beat C’s on emotional night | Joining C’s a relief to Williams | Trade talk nowhere for C’s | Globe – Lakers rout Celtics | Howard clashes with Lakers culture |
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