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.
2. Which Eastern Conference team has had the worst off-season thus far?
BERNUCCA: Boston. I know Chicago didn’t do much, but there wasn’t much the Bulls could do beyond retaining Jimmy Butler. The Celtics have spent two years turning over their roster and acquiring assets. This was supposed to be the summer that GM Danny Ainge packaged a bunch of those for a transformational player. He even had a playoff appearance as a selling point. And he adds Amir Johnson, David Lee and two rookie guards to a crowded backcourt? The Celtics still don’t have a player who commands a double-team and may get squeezed out of the postseason by improved Indiana, Charlotte and Miami. Better luck next summer.
SCOTTO: The Celtics had a puzzling offseason. They overpaid for Johnson (two years, $24 million) and traded for Lee and Perry Jones. All are solid players, but that’s three forwards along with Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller, Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko already on the roster. Heck, they even drafted another forward in LSU’s Jordan Mickey. That’s nine forwards on a 15-man roster. Meanwhile, they tried to move up in the draft but couldn’t. Taking Terry Rozier 16th overall raised some eyebrows. Boston was blown away by his workout and thinks he can play alongside Marcus Smart. The Celtics better be right or they will have to trade one of them. The team remains in a transition period with many more draft picks coming. Expect trades down the road.
Not a lot of love for the Celtics and Danny Ainge on Sheridan Hoops. Yes, we all had grandiose hopes for this summer. But exactly who did the Celtics miss out on?
LaMarcus Aldridge was the only transformational free agent to change teams. There wasn’t a disgruntled transformational player available on the trade market.
Sure, the Celtics could have made a push for Tobias Harris or DeMarre Carroll, but it’s possible Danny Ainge didn’t view either as a significant upgrade over Jae Crowder and others.
Michael Scotto might be the only NBA writer who thinks Amir Johnson’s 1 year, $12 million deal is an overpay. Chris Bernucca references David Lee, yet fails to mention Ainge exhumed Gerald Wallace’s corpse from the roster.
It’s funny how Burnucca cites the Celtics crowded back court and Scott cites the crowded front court. Developing teams are supposed to be loaded with prospects. Forty win teams shouldn’t have a definitive rotation.
Look, I expected more this off-season. I was frustrated the Celtics couldn’t land meetings with Kevin Love and Greg Monroe. I was furious that the 16th pick was used on another guard. But now that the dust has settled and I’ve stopped my tantrum, I honestly feel as though the Celtics didn’t miss out on anyone. You can’t rush a rebuild. GMs who rush, or make signings for the splash, rarely succeed.
If an irrational green-teamer like myself can come to this realization, why can’t two journalists do the same?
As for other teams in the East… Did the Knicks, Pistons, Wizards and Pacers really have better off-seasons than Boston?
On Page 2, Marcus Smart and his mangled hand will hang out in Vegas.
For all of the initial pain from jamming and dislocating two fingers on his left hand Thursday night, Marcus Smart was relieved yesterday.
Tests reaffirmed the Celtics point guard, who also took five stitches in the hand, is suffering from dislocations and nothing more.
Though he did not accompany the team for yesterday’s practices, Smart will remain here for as long as the team continues playing in the Las Vegas summer league. The Celtics, who have won all four of their games, play San Antonio today in the quarterfinals.
“Once he gets back next week they’ll have a chance to evaluate him,” said Celtics assistant Micah Shrewsberry, who is coaching the Las Vegas summer league team. “We have (the training staff) who can work with him. Marcus wants to be with us, also. He wants to see it through. He’s been with us since early July, and he’s as big a cheerleader as there is.”
Smart’s influence on his rookie and free agent teammates has had a tangible result on the floor.
“Just him talking and being on their side,” Shrewsberry said. “He knows what’s coming, what’s going on, and he really communicates with them. During the game and in timeouts. He’s like a blanket for a little kid. He gives you comfort at night when you’re scared. He’s a good guy to have around.”
The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach says Smart will miss the team’s Aug. 1 exhibition in Africa. Let’s put Marcus in a bubble until training camp.
The rest of the links
Herald – Schooling the Stevens way | Mass Live – Turner says Celtics will make noise
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