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.
It’s hard to ignore how much the Bass/Humphries combo has struggled recently, but the team’s defensive rating with that pair on the floor since the All-Star break is a head-shaking 112.8 (or 8.2 points above the team’s season average).
Which makes us wonder if Wednesday’s lopsided loss is the perfect excuse for coach Brad Stevens to shuffle the deck a little bit. Regardless of how well the Jared Sullinger/Kelly Olynyk combo has played with both players coming off the bench recently, it might be time to elevate them to the starting lineup and see if they can sustain that success against opponents’ starting frontlines. At the very worst, Sullinger could pair with Humphries in a more minor lineup overhaul.
Here’s part of the sell on the larger frontcourt overhaul: The Rajon Rondo/Sullinger/Olynyk three-man combo has been excellent since the All-Star break. The team’s offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) with that group is a robust 107.4, or 7 ½ points better than Boston’s average during that span. What’s more, that combo’s defensive rating is 101.8, or 6 ½ points better than the team’s average since the break.
The team’s defense take a big hit when Bass and Humphries play together.
I’m pretty sure Brad Stevens is aware and has formulated a plan for the remaining 7 games.
Play them together for 48 minutes a night.
Any talk of a rotation shuffle that would improve the team’s record is blasphemous.
The Celtics remain tied with Utah for the 4th worst record in the league. We’re 2 games behind (or ahead?) the Lakers for 5th and 2 games ahead (or behind?) of Orlando for 3rd.
Utah has 2, maybe 3 winnable games on its schedule, while the Celtics have about 4 winnable games.
Maintain the course, Brad!
And can we shut down Avery Bradley? He sat out last night with a strained Achilles tendon.
On Page 2, Marcin Gortat pulled a Rondo.
Rajon Rondo was so focused on delivering a message to his teammates, he didn’t realize he was embracing the enemy.
(h/t SB Nation)
The rest of the links:
Herald – Celtics bound for gory | Bradley sits out game | ESPN Boston – Rapid Reaction | Globe – C’s lose again on road | CSNNE – Rondo interrupts to critique Max’s commentary | Wildcat love
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