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 eve of training camp is a station-to-station shuttle where Celtics players don their home white uniforms and bounce between media outlets while answering questions, reading promos, posing for pictures and often goof around. It’s a dizzying three hours with every player and team official typically available to reporters.

W2W4: Media Day For Celtics-Chris Forsberg

Media Day means one thing for Celtics fans-the season is that much closer. Granted, Rondo’s hand injury has definitely put a damper on things. Just when we were all getting excited for training camp, news came that he’d broke his hand and will be out 6-8 weeks. It was definitely a kick in the nuts. But what’s done is done, and ready or not, the Boston Celtics’ 2014-15 campaign is set to begin. Knowing Rajon, and how much of a competitor he is, I bet there’s no one more bummed out than him. And as Forsberg notes, his hand will undoubtedly be a hot topic this morning:

•Rondo’s hand: Rajon Rondo already was going to be the center of attention before he broke a bone in his left hand during a fall at his house on Thursday. After missing much of the past two seasons due to ACL surgery, the Celtics were energized by the prospect of having a healthy Rondo for the start of the season, but now he’s pegged to miss 6-8 weeks while recovering from Friday’s surgery. Questions linger about exactly how the injury happened and Rondo will likely spend more time trying to explain an off-the-court incident than focus on what he and the Celtics are capable of on the court this season.

Due to work, I will miss most of Media Day, and honestly, I hope to miss all of the questions and speculation about Rondo’s injury. We all have our own opinions and theories on the issue, but I’ve heard enough at this point. What I am interested in however is hearing from some of the newest additions to this year’s squad. We’ve heard quite a bit from Marcus Smart this summer, but not much from fellow rookie James Young. Young is a guy with boat loads of (excuse the cliches) raw talent and athleticism. The big question with him though is will that equate into a successful career in the NBA. Some have pointed at his shooting as an extreme weakness, but you can’t deny his explosiveness and knack for getting to the hoop when it really matters. Plus, at just 19 years old there’s plenty of time for him to develop. The Celtics’ offense was at times a black hole last season and Young is a guy who could help fill that void.

We’ll also finally hear from Marcus Thornton (remember him?) today. Thornton did have some solid years with the Kings, but how & where will he fit in with Boston-and will Danny Ainge keep him around long enough to find out?

• Long time no see! While reporters have chatted with many of the Celtics this summer during appearances at community events, Monday will be the first time we interact with a handful of players. That ranges from veteran Gerald Wallace (the veteran is famous for his offseason hibernations and is coming off knee and ankle surgeries that shortened his first season in Boston) to rookie James Young (who hasn’t talked with Boston reporters in a group setting since draft night). Marcus Thornton should talk for the first time since being acquired in a July swap, while more recent additions Dwight Powell and Erik Murphy should be available as well.

The team will be streaming Media Day live again this season, and you catch it here starting at 2pm EST. 19 other teams, including old friend Paul Pierce’s Wizards, will also be streaming their media day festivities. You can find links and times for them all here.

Related links:

Herald: Celtics Still Unsettled As Camp Opens

Page 2: Paul Pierce Back In Green

Paul Pierce was back in Boston on Sunday to participate in the Red Sox’ tribute to Derek Jeter. Pierce came out to a huge ovation from the Fenway faithful wearing a kelly green Celtics warm-up jacket. If only for a few moments, it was great to see The Truth back in C’s colors. Yaz, Bobby Orr, Troy Brown and Pete Frates were among others who took part in the ceremony before yesterday’s Sox-Yankees tilt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WLsAKI1I6g&feature=youtu.be

Last, but certainly not least:

Give this great piece by the Globe’s Baxter Holmes on Marcus Smart a read. I promise you won’t be sorry. In it, we learn a lot more about the Celts’ 1st round draft pick-including how at the young age of 20, he’s already been through a virtual lifetime of challenges. Here’s an excerpt:

A must-read article. Here’s the link: Smart’s Hard Past Drives His Future

The rest of the links:

ESPN Boston: Sources: C’s Waive Lucas, Thomas|CSNNE: Chris Johnson Claimed Off Waivers By 76ers|NBC Sports: Celtics Waive Malcolm Thomas, John Lucas III|Afro.com: The Ali Summit-Kareem, Brown, Russell & Muhammad Ali