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.
But we got quintessential Tommy at the beginning and end of his speech. After Bavetta opened his own address with a bit of humor — having those in attendance yell negative comments at him to remind him of his refereeing days — Heinsohn didn’t miss a chance to pounce later in the evening.
“I didn’t know [Bavetta] was that humorous,” Heinsohn said. “That helps explains all the calls he made.”
Heinsohn then closed his speech with a story about the time he asked unheralded big man Hank Finkel to defend Wilt Chamberlain. Despite Boston dominating that game, Finkel got his middle finger stuck in the net on one play and, as Heinsohn explained and then demonstrated, essentially flipped Heinsohn off while running up the court.
TV cameras cut to the crowd, where inductee Lisa Leslie looked shocked before smiling and shaking her head in amusement.
“That really made you think about communication,” Heinsohn said to laughter. “All I could think of was, ‘And the same to you, Henry!'”
Just Tommy being Tommy.
You might think I’m crazy, but I don’t believe Heinsohn – just the 4th person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player and coach – gets enough credit. Most of the under 40 crowd knows him primarily as that boisterous Celtics homer who hates the officials and not the legendary shooter and pioneering coach.
Congrats, Tommy. I’d be remiss if I excluded Jo Jo White from this blog:
“In May 2010, I was diagnosed with a tumor on my brain. The doctor said I wasn’t supposed to be here,” explained White in the three-minute video. “God had other plans. And for this, I’m truly truly grateful.”
White, who had to relearn basic tasks like walking and talking in the aftermath of his surgery, discussed his perseverance from a young age. He said he got cut from his junior varsity team in high school, then tried out — and made — the varsity squad.
You’ll find both speeches here.
On Page 2, Kelly Olynyk lights up Venezuela.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bTFE_wrn4I]Olynyk dropped 34 points (11-13 FG) and 13 rebounds on Venezuela in last night’s Olympic qualifying game which was marred by an atrocious last second foul call that cost Team Canada the win and potential berth.
Olynyk was so pissed, he mimicked Hulk Hogan walking off the court.
Olynyk, understandably, was visibly upset in the post game press conference. Word is he tore his jersey in half (from the neck) as he exited
— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) September 12, 2015
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