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.

It appears that three of the league’s benchmark franchises — the Celtics, Lakers, and Knicks — are finally headed in the right direction after painful rebuilding periods.

The Celtics are the most advanced, having reached the playoffs a year after landing in the draft lottery for the first time in six years. The Lakers nabbed Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell the past two drafts to join promising guard Jordan Clarkson and a healthy Kobe Bryant.

The Knicks, led by team president Phil Jackson, signed Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, and Kyle O’Quinn, along with drafting intriguing European prospect Kristaps Porzingis to join a healthyCarmelo Anthony.

Commissioner Adam Silver was asked whether the league is stronger when those three teams are competitive.

“What we’re seeing now in the NBA is that, regardless of market size, that with a well-managed organization and a bit of luck you can compete for championships in this league,” he said. “We’re moving toward the point where every franchise is significant. I don’t place the importance of any particular franchise over any other. So while we want to see every team compete, we recognize there’s an ebb and flow in every market. So I’m very satisfied with the league right now and enjoy watching the building process that teams go through.”

Boston Globe – Celtics, Lakers, Knicks on the rise

First of all, I am in accord with Washburn: the Celtics are the furthest along and should finish with the best record of the three, iconic, NBA franchises. But I don’t agree that all three teams are “on the rise.” There’s so much unfiltered hope during the off-season – with lottery picks, coaching changes, free agent signings and Jared Sullinger workout photos – that any fan or reporter can talk up any franchise and claim it’s on the rise (unless you are a fan or reporter for the Sacramento Kings. Then you should just stop talking/writing).

The best evidence that a team is on the rise coming into a new season is how it played and/or finished the previous season. With low expectations surrounding all three teams in 2014-15, the Cs were the only one to turn heads. No amount of Kristaps Porzingis highlight videos, or Julius Randle off-season workouts can convince me that either the Lakers or Knicks are on the rise. They’ll need to prove it once the season begins, and I severely doubt they will.

Silver cares most about ratings and the overall health of the league, and with the NBA’s popularity continuing to rise while its star players hoop it up in cities like Cleveland, Oklahoma City and Oakland, there’s proof that the league does just fine when the teams in Boston, New York and LA don’t grab the national spotlight.

Selfishly, though, if the Celtics are to continue their journey back into national relevancy and perhaps, at some point soon, land a star to return to the truly elite, I’d like either the Lakers or the Knicks to be a legitimate roadblock to a championship. The fact that after 23 years of waiting for a title shot, it was the Lakers that stood in the way of the Cs in 08, made the hype, the series and the win that much sweeter.

For this year, at least, the real action will be in OKC, Cleveland, Oakland and San Antonio. Hopefully the Cs can join them soon. Don’t bank on the other two cornerstone franchises doing the same.to Z

On Page 2, I love Mike Gorman and Sean Grande, but…

Gus Johnson and Marques Johnson will join FOX Sports Wisconsin’s Bucks broadcast team this season, bringing a pair of nationally-recognized voices to the broadcast booth to join long-time commentators Jim Paschke and Jon McGlocklin, who return for their 30th season of calling Bucks action together.

The additions of Johnson and Johnson mark a pair of homecomings, with Gus returning to the NBA for the first time since 2010 and Marques returning to the Bucks franchise where he enjoyed a storied career during the late ’70s and early ’80s. Gus will handle play-by-play duties for 20 games this season, while Marques will serve as the color analyst on 55 local telecasts.

FoxSports.com – Gus Johnson, Marques Johnson join Fox Sports Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Bucks broadcasts

Let me start by saying I think Celtics fans are incredibly lucky to have Mike Gorman on TV and Sean Grande on the radio. Gorman is a fixture and is the perfect balance to Tommy. I broadcasted basketball in HS and college and tried to emulate Sean Grande. I think he’s absolutely incredible at what he does.

With that said, I would kill for a sprinkling of Gus Johnson on Celtic broadcasts. Stevens draws up the perfect late game play and the Cs win at the buzzer like they did against Utah last year?

“Smart to inbound…. FINDS ZELLER… ZELLER…. PIIIIIIIIVOTTTTTTSSS…. HERE COMES GOBERT…..  AT THE BUZZER….. AHHHHHHHHHHH.” 

The Bucks are my league pass team this year whenever Johnson’s on the call.

Also, what’s with Milwaukee becoming the it destination in the NBA? Jason Kidd leaves Brooklyn for Milwaukee, Greg Monroe spurns the Lakers and Knicks for PBR and bratwursts and now they land Gus Johnson.

It’s just a matter of time before KD joins on this summer, right?