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.

While Olynyk, a second-year player from Gonzaga, is a classic “stretch four” with perimeter skills, Stevens said he is Boston’s best option at center, meaning the plans for oft-injured Vitor Faverani could be in doubt.

Jared Sullinger is expected to start at power forward with Jeff Green at small forward and Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo in the backcourt. While that lineup has versatility and can run the floor, the Celtics still lack the rim protector they sought in the summer, leaving the middle vulnerable defensively.

But the decision also offers hints to Stevens’s plans for the offense: rely on defense and outside shooting to overcome opponents, stretching the floor with four players who can consistently convert 3-pointers.

Globe: Stevens names Olynyk starting center

Despite what we hope is some kind of breakout performance from Tyler Zeller last night, the Celtics (a) don’t have enough faith yet in Zeller to be the starting center and (b) are probably going to be playing such a spread offense that Olynyk’s shooting will be the better option anyway.

Olynyk was asked about starting at the 5 last night before the game and gave a comically long pause before answering whether he liked the position.  He then followed it up with a “well, once you’re out there, the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, kind of goes away” answer.

So no, Kelly does not seem to like this at all.  And I’m betting mostly because guarding opposing centers in the NBA is really, really hard and it takes a lot out of you.  That’s not to say the league’s power forwards are a piece of cake, but they’re not Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, Anthony Davis, or DeMarcus Cousins.

Offensively, the Celtics are clearly not afraid to chuck 3’s, as evidenced by their continued chucking this preseason.  I haven’t heard complaint one about anyone’s shooting yet, even as guys like Marcus Smart struggle from deep.  This team is being encouraged to bomb away when a decent look at the 3 presents itself, and you can see from some of the pick-and-roll action from last night that the Celtics are rotating 3-point shooters in behind the play specifically to do that.  They want to stretch you out and open up lanes so guys like Evan Turner, Jeff Green, and, when he returns, Rajon Rondo can dive into the heart of the D.

Zeller isn’t going to do that, even if last night somehow becomes the norm for him this season.  Olynyk is.  And when it comes to the defensive end, they’re just going to have to scheme and double team bigger, stronger guys.

We’ll see how this approach goes, or if Zeller can do enough to change Stevens’ mind.  I’d like Zeller to at least get good enough to give Stevens OPTIONS at the 5.  And, of course, there’s Vitor Faverani in a couple of months once he’s back from his knee surgery (we hope).  But right now, and for the foreseeable future, Olynyk is the guy at the 5.

Related links:  Herald:  Thin at center with Olynyk there  |  Mass Live: Olynyk likely to start opening night

Page 2:  Jeff Green was over-anxious

“I’m good,” Green said when asked about his eye.

But the same can not be said for Green’s play which far too often involved him playing at too fast a tempo which is common among players coming off long layoffs.

“I was over-anxious,” said Green who had nine points on 3-for-12 shooting from the field. “Just happy to be be out there, moving too fast. Was dead tired, but it’s going to take a couple games to get my legs up under me. But once I get my game legs, I’ll be good to go.”

CSNNE: Green overanxious in return to lineup 

Jeff Green had expressed frustration last week about his calf, noting that he hated missing time with something like a strained calf after not missing game after his return from heart surgery.  So it’s not unexpected that he’d be itching to go like this.  I don’t know if any of you have experienced dead legs on the basketball court, but let me tell you, it’s not fun.

Stevens said before last night’s game that part of why Green was out there was for conditioning, so I’m not sure anyone really cares right now about his 3-12 shooting.  The main thing is to get him reps alongside his teammates, get to learn their tendencies and have them learn his, and to get back up to speed as quickly as possible.  Unlike Rondo, who can run and do conditioning drills with his teammate, coming back from a calf strain requires the “blogger workout” for a while, so it’ll take Green a few days to feel good again.  On the plus side, Stevens says he came into camp in better shape than anyone, so the recovery time shouldn’t be too long.

So don’t worry about the 3-12 night right now…. there’ll be plenty of time to worry about it when he drops one in December.

Related links:  Herald:  Green able to see it through  |  ESPN Boston:  Green seeks game legs

And Finally…

Steve Nash needs to retire…

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash missed his third straight practice after injuring his back while carrying bags on Wednesday.

The latest injury is another setback that casts doubt about his future in the NBA. The 40-year-old has battled injuries the past few years. Last season, he was limited to 15 games.

Don’t they have rookies for that shit?

By the way, kids, this is what you have to look forward to in your 40’s.  You go to bed feeling fine and you wake up with a strained something… or you feel a pop in your shoulder while brushing your teeth… or, my favorite, is walking up or down stairs, hearing a pop, and not being sure which joint just made that noise.

So count me in the camp of not being shocked by this news because this is the shit that happens to you after 40.

The rest of the links:

Globe:  Shortened game has long been discussed  |  CSNNE:  Stars, studs, & duds:  Smart has big impact  |  Stevens interested in experiencing 44 minute game |  C’s hopeful Young will return next week  |  ESPN Boston:  Stevens likes NBA’s desire to experiment  |  Boston.com: 3 things we learned in loss to Raptors  |  Keep or cut: exploring what to do with Vitor Faverani  |  5 things we learned during Rondo’s impromptu Twitter Q&A  |  WEEI:  Zeller emerged, Turner tossed  |  Asset management: Evan Turner’s future  |  Mass Live:  Stevens likes late-game execution  |  Ainge hints at roster trimming move