Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Recently acquired Tayshaun Prince joined the Boston Celtics on the practice floor Sunday in Santa Monica, Calif., but stressed that all options regarding his future with the team remain on the table.

Prince, acquired Monday in a three-team swap that delivered Jeff Green to Memphis, is making $7.7 million in the final year of his contract. With Boston in a rebuilding process and leaning on its younger players, there’s no clear-cut role for Prince on this team, and the Celtics are likely to explore possible trade or buyout options before deciding whether to carry him for the remainder of the season.

[…]

What can the 34-year-old Prince bring to this team?

“My approach is come in here, provide a spark, provide leadership and, throughout practice, just watching the young guys and what they were doing, just kind of help wherever I’m needed,” Prince said. “Who knows what the situation is as far as the first few games, as far as how much I play or how much I don’t play. I’m not really too concerned with that. The most important thing that they’re looking for out of me is to provide some leadership and some experience and obviously showing them things in practice, the way things can be done and stuff like that.

ESPNBoston – Prince, Randolph join Celtics

When the Celtics announced the details of the Jeff Green trade a little over a week ago and Tayshaun Prince was announced as the player coming back to the Cs, it was assumed he would never set foot in Boston. So you can imagine my and plenty of Celtics’ fans surprise when Tayshaun showed up at Sunday’s practice in Santa Monica. I was completely flummoxed. Luckily, the guys at RedsArmy flew me out to California yesterday for an exclusive sit-down with the former (I mean, really former, the dude is ancient) NBA champion. My goal? Figure out what the hell Tayshaun Prince is doing here.

Me: Tayshaun, I have to be honest, it’s pretty surprising to see you here with the Celtics. We all thought you’d be bought out or traded by now.

Tayshaun: I think one of the guys who plays for the Celtics once said “anything is possible!” I’m really excited to play with him and the rest of the Big Three.

Me: Tayshaun, they’re not here anymore.

Tayshaun: You serious? Who still plays here?

Me: Well, it’s a bunch of guys who would be nice 6th or 7th options on contending teams, except we aren’t a contending team at all.

Tayshaun: Just like the ’04 Pistons! We didn’t have any superstars and we won a championship.

Me: Just like that. Enough with feigning ignorance. Why are you really here?

Tayshaun: I’ve seen the tribute videos you guys do when players leave. I figure if I stay here a few weeks I can get one of those. Jameer told me they’re already getting his ready for next month when Denver visits. Says his video is set to “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias. I bet it’ll be beautiful.

Me: Yup. We’re all pretty excited for that. Anything else you want to tell me?

Tayshaun: Yeah. I’m just here for the free West Coast road trip. You don’t actually think I’m coming back to Boston, do you?

Related Links: CSNNE – Prince on Celtics future: ‘All options are open’ | Tayshaun Prince, Shavlik Randolph not promised playing time against Los Angeles Clippers

Page 2: Doc shows empathy for Brad Stevens

Rivers was at the helm of the Celtics during some of the franchise’s darkest moments, like the 2006-2007 team which lost a team-record 18 straight games.

“It’s physically draining,” Rivers recalled. “It really is. You have to not question yourself, ‘is what I’m doing right?’ Because you don’t even know.”

[…]

One of the biggest issues with this Celtics team has been their inability to finish off games in the fourth quarter, something Rivers recalls vividly from his rebuilding days in Boston.

“When I was there, I was coaching my butt off as hard as I could,” Rivers said. “I felt like I could get the team to the fourth quarter every night and then you just didn’t win games because you’re young, you didn’t have the horses and every night as a coach you have to mentally convince yourself that you are going to win this night.”

[…]

And Rivers is convinced that Stevens is the man to lead this franchise back to elite status.

“I see Brad, he’s doing a hell of a job; hell of a job,” Rivers said. “But it’s hard; it’s really, really hard. But he’ll get them back there. It’s not going to happen overnight obviously, but it’s going to happen.”

CSNNE – Doc Rivers: Stevens will get Celtics through rebuild

The Celtics beginning their season long, six-game west-coast road trip in Los Angeles this afternoon means a visit with old friend Doc Rivers. If there’s anyone who can empathize with current Celtics’ coach Brad Stevens it’s Doc. If anything, Doc had it worse when embroiled in losing seasons in Boston. The Celtics had fewer picks, an embattled superstar to try and satisfy and an incredibly impatient fan base. People were calling for Doc’s job every single day at the nadir of Boston’s string of losing seasons.

Of course, the stars aligned and Doc went from coaching a bottom-feeder to a title contender over the course of two summer months. But Doc makes a great point about building a winning culture even among all of the losing.

“It’s funny. We decided to build within and build a culture first, and then teach the fundamentals of the game,” Rivers said. “If we ever got guys, they would be ready. Then it turned out, it worked for us. Perk (Kendrick Perkins) was ready when we got other guys. (Rajon) Rondo was ready. All that was good.”

Everyone lauds the Big Three for coming together, putting aside egos and winning immediately, which is something Miami, the Dwight Lakers and most likely the current Cavs couldn’t do. They definitely deserve plenty of the credit, but Doc’s molding and developing of the players who survived the transition from loser to winner: namely Perk and Rondo, was also a huge factor.

All of the crushing losses must eat at guys like Sully, AB and Marcus Smart, but the reps and the competitive culture Brad has to try and build can only prove beneficial once things get turned around.

Related Link: A winning prescription: Donald Sterling’s departure the right medicine for Doc Rivers

And finally… The Truth knows what’s up

Winners know winners.

The rest of the links: 

CSNNE: Young (illness) could miss game Vs. Clippers | Celts-Clippers preview: New faces for both teams

Boston.com: Report: Clippers interested in acquiring Tayshaun Prince from Celtics