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.
As the NBA trade deadline lurched into its final hour a month ago, league sources say the call Ray Allen long feared had come: Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers was on the line, telling him he had been traded. Allen had been sent to the Memphis Grizzlies for a package including O.J. Mayo and a draft pick, and the Celtics' Big Three had come to a most brusque ending.
For 20 minutes or so, Allen had to process the information. They traded me to Memphis? And yet, as the disappointment dissolved to anger, Rivers returned with a messenger’s nightmare: Never mind. The deal fell apart. Take a deep breath and let’s go back to work again.
Before the Big Three could make it past the trade deadline, Allen-to-the-Grizzlies had to fall apart and discussions on a deal that would have sent Paul Pierce to the New Jersey Nets for an expiring Mehmet Okur contract and a lottery pick never reached completion, league sources said.
Yahoo! Sports – Celtics Big 3 nearly split at deadline
Such is the life of a professional athlete, I guess. Not sure why the deal fell through, but one night after the trade deadline, Ray scored 26 points in Sacramento. How's that for professionalism and focus?
Just a couple notes on Mayo, he's a 25-year-old athletic guard with range. I understand why Danny Ainge would attempt to make this move, but Mayo comes with a lot of baggage. He was suspended 10 games last year for violating the league's drug policy and was allegedly punched by teammate Tony Allen during a card game dispute.
I wouldn't have been pleased with the Paul Pierce deal. The lottery pick would likely have been top-3 protected (see Nets deal with Portland). It's a deep draft, but would you have been happy with Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes or Tyler Zeller for the Truth?
I mocked WEEI earlier this week for asking Ainge about trade rumors a month after the deadline. I stand by that criticism. Had Glen Ordway or Michael Holley had this story, I most certainly would have posted it.
On Page 2, Rajon Rondo feels fine.
“Fine other than the loss,” Rondo said of his condition after going for 13 points and 13 assists in the 118-110 loss to the Knicks. “I just iced it. I’m fine.”
On whether he thinks he’ll play tonight against Orlando, Rondo said, “Yeah.”
But his back may have something to say about that this morning.
“It just took me a while to get up,” he said. “I could feel my legs. That’s what Ed was telling me, if I could feel anything. It took me a while to bend them, but I could feel everything in my body.”
Herald – Rondo OK after hard fall
Rajon Rondo could barely run in the 4th quarter of last night's game. If this were my call, I'd sit him for tonight's game.
The nagging injuries are starting to pile-up. Ray's ankle is stiff and swollen. Mickael Pietrus' knee needed to be drained. Paul Pierce has a sore toe and thigh bruise. Doc can't sit all of those guys tonight, can he?
Related links: CSNNE – Rondo suffers back injury, questionable vs Magic | ESPN Boston – Decision looms for Celtics | WEEI – Age old problem: Health vs home court | Globe – Allen (ankle) is late scratch
The rest of the links:
Globe – Knicks threes too much for Pierce, Celtics | Herald – Bombs away as C's fall | Allen, Green stay hopeful | Doc scouts out Bradley's offense | CSNNE – Celtics/Knicks review | ESPN Boston – Pierce's efficient 43 point night | Rapid Reaction: Knicks 118-Boston 110 | WEEI – Knicks Garden party barrages Celtics |
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