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.
“They’ll be all right,” said Perkins. “I don’t think they’re caring about where they place in the seeding. I think they’ll get in the playoffs and do what they’ve got to do. I know a few of them are waiting for the regular season to be over so they can get into the playoffs. They’ll make it.”
If Perkins is right, then that’s a dangerous mentality — to believe everything will be fine once the playoffs start. A similar thought process by the C’s preceded their elimination last season by Miami in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Herald – Rest is best for many Celtics woes
Oh no, not the flip-the-switch mentality. As much as some of us (me) hate the idea of coasting in the regular season, we must accept it happens. Sometimes it works (2010) and sometimes it doesn’t (2011).
The key to consistent play is having a consistent rotation:
But things have been far from optimal. Each of the Big Three has missed games, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen because of injuries, Kevin Garnett for personal reasons. And Rajon Rondo has missed 10 games, eight with a sprained right wrist and two with a suspension.
Of the 32 games the Celtics played before the All-Star break, the Big Four started only 16. Coach Doc Rivers is banking that the quartet will remain healthy and well-behaved for the final 34 games.
The Celtics may be healthier in the 2nd half of the season but that won’t necessarily translate into more wins. The schedule is road heavy and brutal.
Best case scenario – the Celtics sneak up to the 6th seed and secure an easier 1st round playoff opponent (i.e. not Miami or Chicago).
Worst case scenario – the Celtics stay in the 8th spot. They won’t fall behind Cleveland or Milwaukee.
On Page 2, Bob Ryan eviscerates Bill Simmons.
Great job by the legendary Bob Ryan dismissing Bill Simmons criticism of Danny Ainge. Here’s a summary of Ryan’s points:
- Simmons is unrealistically greedy
- We are in the 5th year of a 3-year plan
- 94 seconds away from a 2nd title in 2010
- On passing DeAndre Jordan: “There are a million of those stories.”
- On the Perk/Green trade: “They (OKC) are not as thrilled with him as they thought they’d be. We still haven’t seen judgement day on Jeff Green.”
Bob Ryan is wrong on one front, he does have the cache to get into a pissing match with Simmons.
Related link: Herald – Danny Ainge shot comes after buzzer (Borges)
The rest of the links:
WEEI – Three questions as All-Star break finally arrives | ESPN Boston – Midseason 5-on-5 | Bradley on the rise for Cs | CSNNE – Happy anniversary for Perk | The trade one year later: Where are they now? | Blakely mid-year awards | Globe – Next move should be pivotal |
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