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.
Isaiah Thomas has exploded onto the scene this year for the Celtics, leading his team to stunning wins over the Cavaliers in Cleveland and the Warriors last Friday in Oakland. He earned his first All-Star spot in February, playing for the East in Toronto on Feb. 14. Perhaps most significant, with Thomas leading the way, the Celtics are 45-32 and in position to make a run for the No. 3 seed in the East for the playoffs.
On Wednesday, the Celtics took the somewhat unusual move to take to social media and encourage those in the media with a vote to name the 24-year-old to the league’s all-NBA squad.
“I think as you look at the All-NBA, you’re looking for 15 guys that most impact their team’s success. Hard to argue against him,” coach Brad Stevens said before Wednesday’s game.
WEEI – Celtics Make a Very Public Case for Isaiah Thomas For All-NBA
Every Celtics fan on earth loves Isaiah Thomas, so it seems. We love his positive attitude, his production, his fearless game. We love how he’s leading this team to new heights – a season-high 14 games over .500, with a chance to win 50 and capture the East’s third playoff seed. And he’s doing it without having any teammate who’s even made one All-Star game.
Last night was a perfect example of IT’s leadership. With the Celts struggling in their first home game after a long road trip, against the shorthanded Pelicans, Thomas dominated with 10-19 shooting for 32 points and an astronomical +22.
We also love his attitude:
Told it was his 10th 30-point game of the season, #Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas responded: “We still don’t have no foundation player.”
— Scott Souza (@Scott_Souza) April 7, 2016
If it was up to us, IT would be first-team All-NBA, no doubt. And the Celtics are pushing him for that honor, last night distributing a flyer that highlighted his achievements this season. The question is, will the sportswriters and broadcasters who vote on All-NBA agree?
Consider that last season, the six guards chosen for the three All-NBA teams were Harden, Curry, Paul, Westbrook, Irving, and Thompson. Irving, who has been hampered by injuries and whose numbers are down, should drop off this year. But the other five are probably locks. Then consider that Lillard and Lowry are playing better than ever. Where would IT fit in?
Realistically, he probably won’t. It won’t be fair – as Brad said, it’s hard to find 15 guys who have more effect on their teams’ success. But in these situations, conventional wisdom takes hold and it’s very difficult for anyone new to break through into the ranks of post-season honorees.
So don’t get too invested in Thomas earning All-NBA. Just know that if he is snubbed, he’ll use it for new motivation in the postseason.
Related: ESPN Boston – Isaiah Thomas lets his play do his stumping for All-NBA team | Herald – Isaiah Thomas keeps adding to resume | Washington Post – For Celtics to make a playoff run, Isaiah Thomas needs to keep coming up clutch
On Page 2: Brad don’t need no stinking home court advantage
But even though the C’s will close the season with three games against potential postseason opponents, which will likely determine if they play host or have to hit the road in the first round, the focus remains the same for Brad Stevens’ squad.
“The only thing that matters to me is playing well, and that’s the same stance we’ve had all year. We have to focus on playing well — playing good offense, good defense and taking care of the next possession. We’ll let the results take care of themselves. […]
“We don’t talk about having to protect home court because I don’t want to give a false sense of security that home will take care of you if you’ve played well there. And you don’t want to make [playing] on the road out to be a bigger animal than it is,” added Stevens.
CBS Boston – Stevens’ Celtics Focused on Playing Well, Not Home-Court Advantage
Here’s today’s installment of the ongoing story line that coaches and fans don’t think alike. All Cs fans are fixated on winning the next four games and grabbing home-court advantage for the first round. Yet, Brad apparently doesn’t care about that.
The playoffs being a trial by fire, it would sure help a young team to have home court advantage, at least in round one. Especially if there’s a Game Seven, which the home team wins about 80 percent of the time in the NBA. But if Brad says playing well is the most important factor, who can really argue otherwise? He knows what he’s doing.
Related: CBS Boston – Celtics Can’t Afford Any Hiccups in Final Week of Regular Season
On Page 3: This sounds about right
The Celtics are maybe the most compelling story in the Eastern Conference, and trying to figure them out is going to be a fascinating watch.
Reasonable ceiling: A favorable 3-6 matchup nets them a second-round battle with Toronto, which they wind up winning in six. They face their old friend LeBron James, and though they lose in six games, they show that they’re the East’s up-and-coming team, providing a window for a big trade or free agency addition in the summer to make them contenders.
Reasonable floor: Miami ousts them in a 4-5 matchup and the Celtics look like a really “nice” regular-season team that still needs that star to take them to the next level.
CBS Sports – NBA Playoff Threat Rankings: Floors and ceilings for every contender
This analysis makes sense – we’ll be over the moon if the Cs reach the Eastern Conference finals, and we’ll be pretty disappointed if they again can’t get past the first round. My money is on the middle ground: a first-round win, no matter the opponent, but a second-round loss because Toronto is ready to go deep into the playoffs. Same thing if Cleveland is the second-round opponent, because Boston just can’t match up with them over seven games.
And, finally: The Process cannot be trusted, after all
After refusing to accept another marginalization of his power, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations and general manager Sam Hinkie resigned Wednesday, clearing the way for two-time NBA executive of the year Bryan Colangelo to take over as general manager, league sources told The Vertical.
Yahoo – Sources: Bryan Colangelo to succeed Sam Hinkie as 76ers general manager
For three years, Sixer fans were told to be patient while their team tanked so hard they could barely win 10 games this season. But now the architect of that strategy has walked away, so what are those fans supposed to think?
Will replacing Hinkie reverse the Sixers’ fortunes? Will Bryan Colangelo be able to use the Sixers’ considerable store of draft picks to accelerate a franchise turnaround? Red’s Army writer Rich Jensen will offer his analysis later today.
Related: MassLive – Sam Hinkie considered it a tragedy when the Boston Celtics beat him to a Joel Anthony trade
The Rest of the Links:
MassLive – Isaiah Thomas’ 32 points help Boston Celtics hold off New Orleans Pelicans, 104-97 | Boston Celtics’ Jae Crowder: Ankle still sore, ‘very fatigued and tired’ | Boston Celtics Marcus Smart gets four stitches vs. New Orleans Pelicans: ‘I’m kind of a stitches magnet’ | Kendrick Perkins on friend Kevin Durant: ‘Might be time for a change’ if Oklahoma City Thunder don’t win championship | Kendrick Perkins: Boston Celtics ‘a little bit’ like 2008 championship team
ESPN Boston – Kendrick Perkins says Kevin Durant has ‘a few teams that he will be looking at’ | Evan Turner on eye injury: ‘I thought that bad boy came out’ | Celtics fight off short-handed Pelicans late in 104-97 win
CSNNE – Celtics Hold Off Injury-Ravaged Pelicans, 104-97 | Stars, Studs and Duds: Thomas Rises to Occasion Vs. Pelicans | Celtics More Than Holding Their Own vs. West Teams | ’86 Celts Missed a Sweeping Opportunity Against Lakers
Boston.com – Celtics player power rankings: Isaiah Thomas is breaking franchise records
Providence Journal – Celtics Journal: End of Evan Turner’s eye problem is in sight
Globe – In a trap game, Celtics escape Pelicans
Herald – Bulpett: Steve Kerr, Warriors go on the record | Isaiah Thomas saves weary Celtics from feisty Pelicans
NESN – Isaiah Thomas Steps Up, Negates Celtics’ Subpar Effort Vs. Pelicans
SB Nation – 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Dakota Schmidt’s Look At The Lottery Through Video Analysis
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