Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
"If they want to use the overtime [Thursday] night (as an excuse for Friday's poor performance), then we are not mentally tough enough to be a winner," Rivers said. "If you're tough, if you're tough, you come in and grind this one out and win it, too. If you're not, then you use [Thursday] night as an excuse."
[…] "I shouldn't beg you to play hard. It's just un-Celtic."
CSNNE: Doc: Team's performance un-Celtic
I know we have the video from the TSN guys in the recap… here's the Mike and Tommy version. And I said the same thing they said last night…. I've never seen Doc Rivers so pissed off during a game. I'm glad he did it. And he's probably still a little pissed.
Chuck and I were having a conversation before putting the preview together. This is how it went.
Chuck: i don't like tonight's game… going with Toronto…
me: trap?
Chuck: yup… exhausted from last night…chicago on Sunday..
me: I still think they can beat Toronto. trap or not
Chuck: and they've POUNDED toronto this year…
me: so overconfident, tired, big game Sunday… eh… I can see it
Chuck: i look at the raptors roster and have a hard time picking them… but its more about the Cs playing like shit
I post this not to brag (Chuck did plenty of that last night). I'm posting it because Chuck saw it coming and easily convinced me. I think Donny Marshall called it last night too. I'm sure Doc saw it coming. So maybe in addition to going off like he did… maybe an outright benching would have been in order. Something to send these guys a stronger message that we're not going to stand for this kind of effort.
Related links: ESPN Boston: Observations: Doc & the "awful" effort
The former Harvard star went for a career-high 38 points against the Los Angeles Lakers (there's your quality opponent). He did so by knocking down three of his five shots from outside 18 feet (there's your outside shooting). And he helped the New York Knicks limit Los Angeles to 37.5 percent shooting (there's your defense).
All in his third career start.
"You don't see many guys play like that, even in their 30th opportunity or in their whole career," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "What he's doing is amazing. He answered a lot of questions."
He also introduced himself to Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who had said Thursday that he hadn't been following "Linsanity."
Lin outplayed Bryant on Friday, scoring those 38 points on 13-of-22 shooting. Bryant scored 34 but shot just 11-for-29 from the field.
ESPN New York: Hey Lin skeptics: Any more questions?
What Jeremy Lin is doing right now is just flat out amazing. This kid was going to get cut before D'Antoni said "ah, screw it, let's try this" and threw him into the Nets game. He started the next three games and now he's the biggest thing in the NBA. There's no way he doesn't get player of the week.
I don't want to hear any haters. Even as a Celtics fan I have to sit back and enjoy what this kid is doing. It's magical stuff. Some movie executive somewhere is already ordering someone to draft a script.
Lin has to cool down at some point… but until then, I'm just going to enjoy the ride.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE: Raptors shred tired-looking Celtics | WEEI: Fast Break: Celtics crushed by Raptors | Herald: Celtics done in by bad Rap | Globe: Celtics on low end | Havlicek: Pierce ranks right up there at the top
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
