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.
The Celtics scored a 91-85 victory over Portland in the Las Vegas summer league playoffs last night, but more importantly look like they may have dodged a bullet withMarcus Smart.
The second-year guard suffered two dislocated fingers on his right hand while bracing himself on a fall going for a rebound. Smart stayed on the floor screaming for a few moments and was taken to the dressing room. X-rays were negative, but he needed five stitches.
“They just said dislocation,” reported Celtic assistant coach Micah Shrewsberry, who’s running the team here. “They’re just going to send [the X-rays] back to Boston and let our doctors take a look and just confirm what they saw here.
“When you first hear screams, it’s not always the best feeling in the world. He’ll be OK. He’s in good spirits in the locker room. He’s got the pictures on his phone. He was joking with the guys, showing it to them. And just like the warrior that he is, he comes back out to the bench and is leading the cheers and talking on defense.”
Smart did not address the media, but he tweeted that it was just a minor setback.
Boston Herald – Celtics Notebook: Marcus Smart dislocates fingers in victory
It’s never a great feeling to be watching your team play in a relatively meaningless summer league game when all of a sudden the future of the team starts screaming in pain after diving for a loose ball. Marcus Smart seemingly destroyed his hand and began to scream so loud that gamblers at Mandalay Bay could hear him. It appeared to be a much worse injury than it turned out to be, which is a huge relief. But we’ve been here before with Smart.
At the beginning of last season, Smart appeared to have injured his foot/ankle/leg really bad. So much so that he needed a stretcher to get off the floor. As several have said after both injuries, Smart is a really tough guy so he must have been in a lot of pain in both instances. Let’s just hope this finger injury doesn’t have the same lingering effect that he admitted his ankle injury had. It was so bad that he’s said it was the reason why he barely drove to the hoop last year.
Perhaps Smart should sit out the upcoming trip to Africa, or simply not play in that game. It’s definitely a great opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience, but unless he’s 100% good to go, it’s not worth it in terms of the C’s larger picture. At any rate it’s a huge relief for the team and for Smart.
On Page 2: Mickey contract talks hit a snag
Jordan Mickey will be on the Celtics roster this season — barring any as-of-now-unforeseen trade — but the contract that gets him there was very much in question yesterday.
Sources told the Herald there had been a breakdown in negotiations on a deal for the second-round draft pick, who has been extremely impressive the last two weeks.
The sticking point was whether it would be wiser for Mickey to take more money and be locked in longer or go for a shorter deal — if he plays as well as he and the Celts hope, he would be able to get his market value more quickly. (The latter has become a major concern for players, with increases in NBA revenue leading to much bigger contracts.)
According to sources, the Celtics were offering the No. 33 overall selection a four-year deal — two years guaranteed and two more at the team’s option — that was the richest given a second-round pick.
League sources here at the summer league said Mickey was looking for a shorter-term commitment and, when it appeared neither side would move, the 6-8 forward was prepared to sign the tender offer — a one-year, non-guaranteed rookie minimum of $525,093. Players who sign such deals become restricted free agents at the end of the season.
By the afternoon, however, the sides were back discussing a longer-term arrangement.
“I’m comfortable,” said Mickey. “I’m still feeling good about it. I’m confident everything will work out.”
Boston Herald – Celtics Notebook: Marcus Smart dislocates fingers in victory
Therein lies the dilemma when landing a potential good player in the second round. Unlike first round picks where the terms of every contract are essentially set in stone, there is far more negotiating room for second rounders. If Danny Ainge can sign Mickey to the deal rumored above, that would be a fantastic low-risk/high reward bargain for the team, especially in the booming players market. You can understand where Mickey is betting on himself, especially since he has virtually zero competition in terms of rim protection on the team. This will be an interesting case to keep an eye on, but it sounds like a deal will ultimately get done.
And Finally, Terry Rozier joins The Starters cooking show
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z7PG3T9Us8&w=560&h=315] The rest of the links:ESPN Boston – Will Mickey bet on himself?
Boston Globe – Danny Ainge quietly upgrading Celtics roster | Marcus Smart dislocates two fingers in summer league game
Boston Herald – Evan Turner checks in at Celtic summer league game | Three Celtics off to Africa
CSNNE – Source: ‘Almost 100% sure’ nothing is broken in Smart’s hand | Blakely: Ainge looking for hidden gem among Celtics’ moves
MassLive – Boston Celtics Summer League 2015: Terry Rozier isn’t ‘here to prove anyone wrong’ | Boston Celtics notes: Terry Rozier’s flurry of clutch shots leads summer league squad to playoff win | Marcus Smart dislocated fingers: James Young, teammates say Smart ‘will bounce back’ (VIDEO) | Marcus Smart injury: Boston Celtics guard dislocates two fingers in summer league playoffs (with photo) | Marcus Smart, Evan Turner, Brad Stevens will represent Boston Celtics in the NBA Africa Game
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