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.
Today’s media day. The Celtics are back.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 26, 2016
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We’re ready! It’s been more than four months since the Celtics last wore their uniforms, but it will happen again this afternoon when the team gathers for the annual Media Day. This is the official start of training camp, leading to the first preseason game on October 4 versus Philadelphia.
Media Day activities will be televised live by CSNNE, and Celtics.com will live-stream the action starting at 2:45 p.m.
On Page 2: In Brad we trust, and that won’t change
Westgate Las Vegas Sportsbook released its win total odds last week for NBA teams., predicting the Celtics (51.5) will be one of five teams (Golden State, Cleveland, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers were the others) expected to win at least 50 games.
But as we all have seen, expectations and actual results don’t always mesh.
Stevens has enjoyed a tremendous amount of support from the franchise and fans throughout his first three seasons.
But if Boston fails to live up to the increased expectations, does that mean the honeymoon for Stevens is over?
CSNNE – C’s Question Of The Day: Is Stevens’ Honeymoon Over?
No. Nope. Uh-uh. The answer is most definitely: the honeymoon will not be over. (Not for the fans, at least. The sky will be falling in sports talk radio/TV, but that’s an alternate universe.)
In fact, the CSNNE article/slideshow goes on to agree that the fans will still trust in their rising-star coach because of his solid pattern of leadership and his ability to maximize his players’ talents.
The only thing that could throw cold water on the fans’ love affair with Brad would be a failure to win at least one playoff series this year. However, if the Celtics remain healthy this season, there’s every reason to believe the squad will meet the increased expectations.
On Page 3: Zeller hoping for the best
In the meantime, with Kelly Olynyk sidelined with a shoulder injury at the start of the season and Jared Sullinger out of the picture, Zeller is hoping he spends less time on the bench next season and more minutes as part of Boston’s regular rotation. However, with the signing of a big man All-Star in Al Horford, he understands there will be no guarantees about playing time.
“It’s kind of the same thing as last year,” Zeller acknowledged of his opportunity, “But at the same time we’re going into it – I say same thing; same positions as last year but it could obviously change very quickly. You never know what’s going to happen. I could play really well. Somebody could get hurt. All those things go into it. And at the same time it could be exactly like last year, so you kind of have to just go into it with an open mind and try to come into the season as prepared as possible to try to compete for one of those spots.”
CBS Boston – Robb: Tyler Zeller Eager To Earn Bigger Role With Celtics This Season
It’s easy to forget that Zeller was the starting center on opening night last season, until rookie Jahlil Okafor ate Tyler’s lunch in the paint in the first quarter. Zeller went to the bench and stayed there almost all season, averaging only 12 minutes per game after 21 the previous season.
Zeller was a good teammate about it, staying ready and eventually having a few solid performances. This year, barring injuries to other bigs, Zeller again probably won’t be relied on much. Perhaps his best role will be as a trade piece, if a blockbuster ever comes. But Zeller is a 7-footer with a good attitude and the ability to contribute even when not playing regularly. Those are contract-worthy attributes, so he’s likely to have a long NBA career, wherever he may be.
On Page 4: Nerlens Noel is unhappy
Noel will most likely become a reserve center to Joel Embiid, who the Sixers think will be a force in this league if he stays healthy. Noel said that he’s not asking to be traded or demanding that the Sixers trade someone else. He just wants them to hurry up and do the inevitable.
“I feel like it definitely needs to be figured out,” he said. “I think at the end of the day, again, you have three starting-caliber centers. And it’s just not going to work to anybody’s advantage having that on the same team. That’s how I’m looking at it. I’m not opposed to anything, but things need to be situated.”
Philly.com – Nerlens Noel: Sixers situation ‘doesn’t make any sense’
Noel may not be demanding a trade, but he would obviously enjoy going elsewhere. It’s something to keep an eye on. As Chuck said on Twitter, the longer Philly waits to act, the more trade leverage they lose. If anyone could take advantage of this situation, it’s Danny Ainge. And, by the way, don’t we still need rim protection?
And, finally: ‘No English. No English, mate.’
Kevin Garnett will go down as one of the greatest trash talkers in NBA history. He was loud. He was relentless. He would say just about anything to get in an opponent’s head. Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams knew as much, and he told reporters on Sunday that he avoided Garnett’s chatter by pretending he couldn’t speak the language.
“He’s got this presence about him that, it’s intimidating,” Adams said, via The Oklahoman’s Erik Horne. “And he doesn’t talk to me at all. I played the [no] English card one time — he said something and I was just like, ‘No English. No English, mate. Sorry.’ He kind of left me alone, which is brilliant.”
CBS Sports – Steven Adams reveals clever way to avoid trash talk from Kevin Garnett
KG is no dummy – would he really fall for this? More likely, Adams was putting one over on the reporters. Still, that’s a funny story.
The Rest of the Links:
Sporting News – Don’t expect Atlantic Division spending spree to slow down
Yahoo – Violet Palmer, the NBA’s first female referee, retires (Tommy’s not shedding tears)
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