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, Celtics GM: Because Kevin and I were such close friends, we had numerous conversations over the years [about Garnett]. We realized that Paul [Pierce] and KG would be a great combination. We thought that they really complemented each other well. So we discussed the possibility of Paul going to Minnesota or KG coming to Boston, like which way is the best way to do it.
Phil Jackson, Lakers head coach, 1999-2004; 2005-2011: When I realized that [Garnett] was available and wanted to leave Minnesota, I put a big push on (to acquire him).
Andy Miller: Cleveland was involved. They were a distant third in the whole thing.
Glen Taylor: L.A. really wanted him. Well, I didn’t know if I wanted him in the West. I thought I was getting better players. I thought L.A could not give me the players that Boston did.
Holy crap. Paul Pierce in Minnesota? What a frightening thought.
Take one look at that Wolves roster in 2006-07 and you’ll quickly realize those talks about shipping Pierce to Minnesota went nowhere. Who would be the Celtics’ gem in such a deal? Rashad McCants? Randy Foye? Throw in the Wolves 1st round pick (Corey Brewer, #7) and you still come up way, way short.
Phil Jackson says Lakers owner Jerry Buss claimed to have a handshake deal with Wolves owner Glen Taylor on a deal involving Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Fortunately for us, Kevin McHale preferred Al Jefferson to Bynum.
One thing we’ve learned about this trade over the years is this notion that McHale gave away Garnett to his buddy Danny Ainge is laughable.
On Page 2, a few reasons why you should care about tonight’s draft lottery.
Need a reason to watch the lottery? The Celtics stand to collect Minnesota’s 2016 first-round pick if it’s outside the top 12 (otherwise it becomes a pair of second-round picks). The protection means that the Timberwolves have to at least compete for a playoff spot this season, no easy task in the Western Conference, but also not impossible considering a roster that should add a quality talent alongside a young core that features Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins.
The Timberwolves, coming off a 16-66 campaign, have the best odds (25 percent) at landing the top pick on Tuesday night and a 64.3 percent chance at a top 3 spot (they can drop to no worse than fourth overall).
From the schadenfreude department, Boston’s cross-country rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, stand to lose their first-round pick if it lands outside the top 5. The Lakers finished with the fourth worst record in basketball and have quality odds at a top pick (11.9 percent chance at No. 1; 37.8 percent at top 3). Two teams from behind the Lakers would have to vault to a top spot in order to push the Lakers into a position where they’d send their first-round pick to Philadelphia.
The Celtics will also have an eye on how Atlantic Division rivals New York and Philadelphia fare, especially since both enter the lottery sitting right behind Minnesota and with a strong chance at a top 3 selection.
Is it a stretch to think the Wolves can add Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns to their roster and become a playoff contending team out west? Yes. The Wolves will have to nearly triple their win total to get into that range. That 2016 1st rounder is going to be two 2nd round picks.
I’ll be praying the Lakers fall out of the top 5 and lose the pick. I’ll take solace if they fall to 3 and lose out on Okafor and Towns.
And finally, there’s hope the league WON’T alter it’s hacking rules.
With the game on TNT’s air, Charles Barkley called it “awful to watch,” lamenting the plight of the fans. Shaquille O’Neal’s shooting coach, Buzz Braman, texted USA Today, “I”m barfing watching this [bleep].”
You’d think that would do it, especially with Commissioner Adam Silver sending up trial balloons, saying there will be a “full-throated discussion.”
Unfortunately, not everyone agrees it’s an issue. In fact, team officials who do may be in the minority.
“Change the rule? For what?” asked an Eastern Conference GM who is on the NBA’s Competition Committee. “For DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard? Learn to shoot free throws.”
A league source says that almost 80% of this season’s hacking was done to five players: Jordan, Andre Drummond of Detroit and Howard, Josh Smith and Joey Dorsey of Houston.
That anonymous Eastern Conference GM is my hero. You don’t alter the rules because 5 players can’t shoot free throws.
Sure, the hack strategy became trendy in the playoffs. And it sure as hell isn’t pretty to watch.
But let’s put the brakes on rule changes.
The rest of the links
CSNNE – Bradley would love to see Pierce return to Boston | Celtics.com – Tyler Zeller wins Sharpshooter Award |
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