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.
For starters, the Colton Iverson Era is over…
A 7-foot native of South Dakota who played for the University of Minnesota before transferring to Colorado State, Iverson joined a Celtics team in 2013 that needed a center. After Summer League, however, he agreed to a contract in Turkey. He has been splitting time between Turkey and Spain ever since, save for an appearance in the 2014 Summer League.
“He’s played so well in Europe, he’s priced himself out of that market,” Director of Player Personnel Austin Ainge told reporters last year. “He’s going to get big, big offers — kind of like last year (at summer league) where he had to leave early because he got so much money. And he’s played even better this year. He’s having a great career.”
No real surprise here. Iverson didn’t show enough to make the roster before the Celtics upgraded to Al Horford. He might come around and become a fan-favorite a la Stiemsma, or he could spend several years in Europe, have a kid, and perhaps that kid will also grow up and get a shot at the NBA–just like his dad and grandfather.
…and Kelly Olynyk is a top 25 free agent?
Projected 2-Year WARP: 10.0 | 2015-16 RPM: 2.8 | 2015-16 WARP: 3.8
The second-most accurate 3-point shooting 7-footer (minimum 400 attempts) in NBA history behind a certain German who plays for the Dallas Mavericks, per Basketball-Reference.com, Olynyk shot 40.5 percent from beyond the arc last year. He has a chance to emerge as a starter next to Al Horford this season before hitting restricted free agency. (emphasis added)
Okay, I had no idea about that stat. But at the same time, how many players are on the list? Like six? (okay. I checked the link. It is in fact six).
Kelly Olynyk can do his bank account some real favors this season. If (always an if, right?) he stays healthy and shoots at his midseason clip, he’s getting paid next year. And the Celtics are going to be pretty formidable whenever he’s on the court. If, however, he’s kind of up and down, which has been the longer term trend, he’ll get a decent paycheck, but it might not necessarily be from Boston.
Plus Tyler Zeller, floor to ceiling
The NBA is a league full of highs and lows for players.
There are few who understand this as well as Tyler Zeller, a player who has gone from starting to being a backup to not playing at all – at times in the same week.
And through it all, you never heard him gripe about it publicly or privately to teammates.
It’s among the many reasons you constantly hear his teammates talk about how much they respect the way he has handled some extremely difficult situations.
This past season was especially tough for him considering he was heading into free agency and looking to do all he could to not just win, but showcase what he could do as player.
There were many nights when Zeller didn’t have that opportunity, but he understood.
The Celtics have been and will continue to be a team that’s about finding ways to win and on many nights coach Brad Stevens decided to go in a direction that didn’t include Zeller playing.
Sherrod Blakely continues his preseason preview of the Celtics roster. Zeller is a mystery. The Celtics have $8 million tied up on him this season, but with the team below the cap and the next year on the contract being a team option, that $8 million isn’t so much a vote of confidence in Zeller’s future as it is the Celtics “doing the right thing”. Much the same as when they renounced Sully and Iverson’s rights. The team can pay Zeller $8M without harming their flexibility this season or next.
Where Zeller fits on this team is anyone’s guess but it seems a safe bet that he’ll continue to be a model teammate and do his best to be ready when his number’s called.
Finally: Why else would you even have this museum?
The Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame will hold their 10th Annual Induction Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on October 13th at the Boston Marriott Quincy Hotel.
The ceremony, which will begin at noon (sharp), will see twelve new Hall of Fame inductees.
2016 Hall of Fame Inductees
- Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn
Okay, Tommy Heinsohn was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame twice before he was inducted into a state level hall of fame?
I have so many questions.
But anyway, obviously an overdue award for Heinsohn and Gorman. And if you want to pay $75 for the privilege of eating lunch at noon (sharp) and seeing Tommy and Mike, have at it.
The rest of the links
ESPN Boston: Source: Celtics renounce rights to 2013 pick Colton Iverson
Boston.com How we almost lost the Boston Garden and Fenway Park back in the 1960s
(are you a history buff? Give that article a once-over–it’s fascinating and has some cool old maps and drawings)
CSNNE: Isaiah Thomas: Pitchman
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