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.
Before the Boston Celtics opened the regular season, head coach Brad Stevens sat down Evan Turner to inform the wing he would no longer start games.
Turner actually took the news well. But his joke about the conversation was more entertaining.
“He spoke to me,” Turner explained Monday after practice. “I had to smell his breath for alcohol. I checked his office for drugs. I said, ‘You’ve gotta be high.’ You know what I’m saying? But I kept it classy of course, and I trust the process. And that was it. But it’s unbelievable right?”
Turner laughed after delivering his humor.
“Nah, I mean it is what it is,” he said. “At the end of the day, I think that’s another development for myself is just being mature and taking it for what it is. It’s the beginning of the season. You know what I’m saying? I’ll be fine. There’s a bigger picture than me. So seriously, I wasn’t too worried or anything.”
Evan Turner the basketball player might be frustrating as hell, but it’s hard to dislike ET the person. It’s not often a guy who played a pivotal role in a team’s success (and I use that term loosely) last season casually reacts to a demotion.
Even though Turner doesn’t quite fit the mold of a wing player in the current NBA, I think he has tremendous value to a contending team. He can play three positions, handle the ball (sometimes refusing to let it go) and make big shots. He just needs to be paired with guys who have range.
I vote Turner as the Celtic most likely to be dealt at the deadline.
Related links – CSNNE: Smart aims for Friday | Globe – Toe injury sidelines Smart
On Page 2, Jonas Jerebko plays faster than you think.
Jerebko is averaging 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds over 14.4 minutes per game. His role is essentially energy-giver and he’s often zipping around the court at full-throttle speed. According to the NBA’s player tracking data, Jerebko averages 4.4 miles per hour when he’s in motion on the floor — or the same speed shared by the likes of Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley. Jerebko averages 5 mph on the offensive end, which is as fast as rookie speedster Terry Rozier (and second on the team behind only Thomas at 5.2 mph).
Jerebko’s impact is best reflected in Boston’s advanced numbers. The Celtics are allowing only 84.1 points per 100 possessions when Jerebko is on the court and his net differential is plus-17.3 points per 100 possessions (both of those numbers are the second best on the team among regulars behind only Kelly Olynyk, who he often shares the floor with).
The NBA tracks player speed? Jesus, what isn’t recorded these days…
I love Jerebko’s game (and not because he’ll occasionally unleash an old school running hook shot). He sprints all over the court, has a sweet long range stroke yet isn’t afraid to mix it up under the boards.
I’m surprised he’s able to get 14+ minutes a night, but he’s clearly benefiting from Tyler Zeller’s presence on the bench.
And finally, let’s watch Kelly Olynyk eat a giant burrito in four bites.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXM71BwbUUY]Amir Johnson is one funny dude. My favorite quotes from the video:
Oh my god… the ladies gonna love you.
Eat it, eat it like you eat the booty!
He pukin’… give it up!
(h/t Deadspin)
The rest of the links
CSNNE – Johnson doing all he can to stay on the court | Herald – Lee bides time on bench
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