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.

Danny Ainge ( president of operations for the Celtics ) collects firsthand information about some of the players that sound in all the pools to get elected high in 2015. Yesterday was the Palau watching the Barcelona Galatasaray Euroleague and their presence in Barcelona is basically due to Mario Hezonja, the Croatian jewel that meets next week 20 years.

Baloncesto.com – Danny Ainge was in the Palau ‘ spying ‘ on Mario Hezonja

This quote was translated from Spanish, so it comes across as a bit odd. But it’s interesting that Ainge took a trip to Barcelona to see the kid play when he probably has a small army of scouts to do this for him. While speaking on 98.5, Ainge mentioned the fact that his scouts told him there were a few players our there he needed to see himself. Hezonja appears to be one of those guys.

As far as draft projections, he’s been mock-selected anywhere from 6th-20th overall. The video below shows a player whose skills could certainly help the C’s — he’s got a crafty offensive game and a nice looking shot. I guess his knock is selfishness and being a difficult teammate at times, but he’s only 19. He may fall into the range Boston is selected to pick, partly because he’s a bit of an unknown playing in the Euroleague. If the Celtics really are trending towards the 8th seed, this may not be a bad selection if we aren’t able to somehow move up in the draft (or if the C’s don’t want to).

And if there is mutual interest between Ainge and Hezonja, Ainge could potentially tell Hezonja he plans to draft him. In that case, Hezonja could shut down additional pre-draft workouts and deter other teams from selecting him. I believe since he’s not in the NCAA, Ainge can be fairly open and transparent with recruiting and making draft promises. If he wants him, that is.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpguQkC8tv0]

Page 2: Melo thinks the C’s need to become a powerhouse again

Anthony is keenly aware that the Knicks’ general awfulness isn’t ideal for the NBA.

“The league needs New York to be that powerhouse again,” Anthony said on Saturday after All-Star practice at Madison Square Garden. “The league needs the Lakers and Boston to be those powerhouses again.”

Last season was the first time in NBA history that the Knicks, Lakers and Celtics all missed the postseason, and unless the Celtics sneak into the eighth seed (not impossible, but certainly unlikely), that’s going to be the case again.

NBC Sports – Carmelo Anthony: “The league needs New York to be that powerhouse again”

It’d be nice to see the Celtics and Lakers renew the rivalry (I don’t really care about what the Knicks do). But there must be some benefit to having teams like Memphis, Portland, and Milwaukee all step up and either become elite or at least decent again. Meanwhile, attendance across home games for the Lakers, Celtics, and Knicks seems to remain solid while the teams rebuild. Maybe the NBA doesn’t ‘need’ us to become powerhouses again, but it’d certainly be nice. At least for one of those teams.

And last, in case you missed the Zach LaVine show last night:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYbx_PV3318] Behind the back dunk was nuts.

 

The rest of the links:

CelticsBlog – How Boston shut down the best shooter in the NBA

Grantland – 2015 NBA All Star Weekend Special

ESPN Boston – Who would win Celtics dunk contest?