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.
Happy Thanksgiving to all Red’s Army readers who are celebrating today. From our perspective as Celtics fans, there’s so much to be thankful for about the rich history of the franchise. While the Butterball bakes, today I give thanks…
- That Walter Brown founded the team in 1946 and later had the good sense to hire Red Auerbach.
- That the “Celtics” name, leprechaun mascot and shamrock logo were chosen to appeal to Boston’s large Irish population.
- That Bob Cousy came to the Celtics by a fluke after the team that owned his rights folded.
- That the Cooz became a six-time champion and one of the most beloved Celtics.
- That Red engineered the trade for Bill Russell, the winningest athlete of all time.
- That Russell was the catalyst to 11 championships in 13 years, a stretch of domination that is unmatched in pro sports history.
- That I’m old enough to have seen Russell play. And Sam Jones, who has merely 10 rings.
- That Red developed the 6th Man concept with Frank Ramsey, and continued it with John Havlicek, followed by Kevin McHale and Bill Walton (all of whom are in the Hall of Fame).
- That my best friend read a Sports Illustrated article about Ramsey and decided to root for the Celtics, so I did too (even though we lived in New York).
- That the Knicks haven’t won it all since 1973.
- That I have an autographed photo of my all-time favorite Celtic, Don Chaney, and was there when he scored his career high (32) in the old Garden.
- That I once played poker with Jo Jo White (thankful despite losing $30).
- That Tommy Heinsohn invented small ball in the ’70s while coaching a team with Dave Cowens, a 6’8” center during the era of post-up offenses with 7-foot pivotmen. And raised two banners doing it.
- That there are 40 Hall of Fame members who’ve been associated with the Celtics, the most of any NBA franchise.
- That there are 21 retired numbers, plus “Loscy,” in the rafters, all but three of them worn by Hall of Famers (taking nothing away from Jim Loscutoff, Cedric Maxwell and Reggie Lewis).
- That Red acquired all of the NBA’s best starting five ever (McHale, Robert Parish, Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge) by shrewd trades and draft moves that no one else thought of or had the chutzpah to pull off.
- That those five all-stars won three titles and prevented the Lakers from nearly sweeping the ’80s.
- That Paul Pierce dropped in the 1998 draft so that Boston was able to take him with the 10th pick overall.
- That Pierce survived in 2000 when he was attacked in a night club and stabbed 11 times, and went on to become one of the most talented and compelling Celtics ever.
- That Ainge channeled Red when he traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, assembling the team that would win Banner 17.
- That KG proved anything was possible.
- That Tommy and Mike have been together for 35 seasons.
- That Danny hired Brad Stevens.
- That the name on the front of the uniform has always been more important than the name on the back.
- And that the Celtics have won 17 championships, the most of any NBA franchise.
Now please pass the turkey.
On Page 2: About last night
It was a thrilling finish in a game that truth be told, Boston had no business allowing to come down to the wire.
The Sixers had lost each of their previous 15 games this season, and had lost 13 straight on the road dating back to last season with a 1-29 road record since March of 2015.
CSNNE – C’s rally in 4th quarter, escape with 84-80 win over Sixers
Crowder on fans booing: “They knew we were slacking in the effort division a little bit tonight. I think everybody in the arena saw that.”
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) November 26, 2015
Boston had lost 16 straight games when failing to score 85 points. Avery Bradley the only Celtic left from the last win (Feb. 13, 2013).
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) November 26, 2015
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The 1985-86 Celtics – arguably the best team of all time – won 67 games and went 15-3 in the playoffs to take the title. They also lost to the Knicks (23 wins), Bulls (30 wins), Cavs (29) and Pacers (26). Bad games happen, even to the best teams.
With that said, it would have been humiliating for the current Celtics to lose to Philadelphia, which has now lost 26 straight dating back to last season. Thankfully, the Celtics pulled out the win last night, but something has to change to get them back in the rhythm and focus they had in winning five of six earlier this month.
And, finally: The beer-tipper’s night is over
On the slim chance you missed it: Celtics draftee Marcus Thornton was on the wrong end of a beer can during a game in Australia’s National Basketball League.
Thornton plays for the Sydney Kings, who were visiting the Illawarra Hawks, when for unknown reasons a courtside fan went all goose on him and was ejected from the arena. What a drongo! (h/t to our mate @AusCelticFan for some help with lingo).
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoVUN7L3kuA]The Rest of the Links:
MassLive – Isaiah Thomas scores 30, Boston Celtics use big comeback to surge past Philadelphia 76ers, 84-80 | Jae Crowder: Philadelphia 76ers ‘were talking smack’ to Boston Celtics in fourth quarter | Boston Celtics analysis: ‘Real conversations,’ real comeback against Philadelphia 76ers | R.J. Hunter, Boston Celtics rookie guard, focusing on staying engaged
Herald – Celtics rally past 76ers to avoid shameful loss
Sports Illustrated – Sixers fall to Celtics for 26th straight loss, tying longest in NBA history
Philly.com – Sixers fall to Celtics, tie NBA record for consecutive losses
NESN – Celtics Notes: Jae Crowder Bails Out C’s; Evan Turner Makes MJ Comparison (featuring a KWAPT Vine)
ESPN Boston – Evan Turner on delivering Jae Crowder’s winner: ‘I thought about MJ passing to Steve Kerr’
CSNNE – Stars, studs and duds: Celtics manage to squeak out victory
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