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.
As Stevens says, it’s not the worst predicament a coach can face, but in terms of developing a first-round pick and building a team for the future, it’s a puzzle.
“There are too many good players, and every team has got that dilemma, some more than others,” said Stevens, whose team improved to 4-1 in the preseason on Monday night. “I think we’ve certainly got it from the standpoint of: There are a lot of similar type guys, as far as how they play, but everybody brings their own unique good quality to the table, so that presents the challenge of mixing and matching now.”
WEEI – Terry Rozier and the Celtics’ Depth Perception Problem
With opening night just one week away, what can we make of the paradox, the contradiction, the enigma that is the Boston Celtics’ roster? Because it seems like the Cs are not good enough and, at the same time, too good.
On the one hand, as we know too well, the Celtics don’t have any superstars or recent top-three lottery picks. Therefore, they aren’t taken seriously by NBA general managers, aren’t showcased on magazine covers, and don’t have anyone who’s even close to a top-50 player.
On the other hand, Boston’s roster is amazingly deep and talented. In fact, fans and media are obsessing over which one guy can be deemed expendable in order to get down to the maximum of 15 bodies. Moreover, there aren’t enough minutes to go around – even for veteran contributors – because everyone is so deserving of being in the rotation.
The second half of that equation was personified by rookie Terry Rozier on Monday night. Rozier performed above expectations in a featured role, albeit against the junior varsity of a bad Brooklyn Nets squad. The Louisville product demonstrated his potential and showed why he deserves playing time and the opportunity to develop.
But as the WEEI piece explains, that will be difficult to achieve in Boston. So it’s a pretty good bet that James Young and the rookies – with the possible exception of RJ Hunter – will be regulars with the Maine Red Claws. That’s a bit frustrating, because everyone wants to see them all grow into NBA studs ASAP. But it’s the only logical approach – playoffs are again the goal, and NBA teams win with veterans, not inexperienced youth.
So one step at a time. Remember the collective “Huh?” we all said on draft night about Rozier? Now we’re saying, “Hey, he can play.” That’s progress already.
On Page 2: Three Celtics connections to the Louisville mess
Former escort Katina Powell alleges in the book, “Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen,” that there were numerous parties on the Louisville campus involving strippers and “side deals” which reportedly was a euphemism for paid sex.
Celtics players Terry Rozier and Jordan Mickey are mentioned by Powell, both in the book and during an episode of ESPN’s Outside the Lines, as having had sex during their recruiting visits.
CSNNE – Report: Two Celtics named in Louisville pay-for-sex scandal
Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said he has not spoken to Terry Rozier or Jordan Mickey since both players were named in a report about an alleged cash-for-sex scandal within the Louisville basketball program.
“I haven’t talked to them since the report came out this morning,” Stevens said Tuesday night before the Shamrock Gala to benefit the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. “Obviously it’s something that any time you see allegations of that regard, just from the whole big picture of everything that’s been alleged, it just saddens you. But I have not talked to them today.”
MassLive – Brad Stevens ‘saddened’ by Louisville sex scandal allegations
The excrement has hit the rotary cooling device at the University of Louisville, and the splatter has soiled one former and two current Celtics.
We expected Rozier’s name would come up. He was at Louisville when the activities allegedly occurred. Mickey was a surprise, because although he was recruited at Louisville, he attended Louisiana State.
This is a sordid episode, no doubt, but big-time NCAA basketball programs break rules all the time. If these charges are true, it will be life imitating art: In the film “He Got Game,” Jesus Shuttlesworth (played by old friend Ray Allen) didn’t mind when his recruiting visit to Big State included some personal attention from two extremely friendly females. (Fun fact: Pitino appeared in the movie as himself.)
Whatever Rozier and Mickey may have done in this case doesn’t matter much now. They’re out of college and won’t get jammed up. What’s much more interesting is the possible involvement of Louisville head coach – and former Celtic coach – Rick Pitino. Did Pitino know that women were being paid to have sex with recruits?
Let’s look at some history. It’s been nearly 20 years since Pitino came to Boston to lead the Cs back to glory after some down years. He’d won a national championship at Kentucky and had just written a book, “Success Is a Choice.” Every Celtics fan was over the moon about his hiring. He had charisma and made you believe victories were inevitable. We were certain the titles would start rolling in.
Instead, Pitino was an epic failure. He stole Red Auerbach’s title of team president; made a mess of the roster with disjointed free agent signings; traded future all-star Chauncey Billups just a half-season into his rookie year; traded an unprotected lottery pick for a back-up center; delivered a meme-worthy rant that alienated fans; and failed to even once make the playoffs. Pitino resigned in disgrace during his fourth season after the team quit on him.
Obviously, Pitino did not choose success in Boston.
Of course, Pitino went back to the college ranks at Louisville and won a title there. That success helped him survive an embarrassing scandal in which he committed adultery with an assistant coach’s wife, later gave her money to pay for an abortion, and had to testify about the affair in court when the woman was charged with extortion. Incredibly, he remained head coach at Louisville.
Should we now be stunned if investigations into the current debacle find Pitino knew about pay-for-sex recruiting but looked the other way? Well…
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjbPi00k_ME]Related: Louisville Courier-Journal – Rick Pitino’s time expiring at UofL | ESPN Boston – Stevens saddened by Louisville allegations involving two Boston rookies | Globe – Escort infers Rick Pitino knew of sex parties
And, finally: Evan Turner is a good guy
//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js
Turner has fit in so well with the Celtics community. He supports charities, interacts with fans on Twitter (he, ahem, faved my response to one of his recent tweets), and is always good for a notable quote to the media. Congrats to ET for this honor.
The Rest of the Links:
Herald – Celtics’ James Young believes he’s ready to succeed
Globe – Celtics’ Thomas, Stevens receive votes in NBA GM survey
CSNNE – Celtics’ Thomas gets some praise in NBA’s GM survey
USA Today – Boston Celtics preview: Brad Stevens and Co. looking for next step
MassLive – Boston Celtics rumors 2015: Danny Ainge will explore trade options to trim roster
ESPN Boston – Celtics start roster trimdown
ESPN – Boston Celtics: 2015-16 Forecast | NBA Season Preview: ESPN’s Power Rankings for 2015-16
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