Your Afternoon Dump… More tired storyline: Thomas starting or Sullinger’s weight?

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.

Team president Danny Ainge, brusquely shrugged off the issue — “that question should never be asked” — and wrote the guard’s aspiration off to the desire of every player to start.

But Thomas wants to start from scratch this week. He’s tired of the question, too.

“It’s not tough. I tell you all the time because you guys ask all the time,” he said. “I would love to be a starter, but it’s not the end of the world. As long as I’m out there, getting the minutes I deserve, I’m all for it. I’m all for the team and what it takes to win — and that’s an honest answer.”

The irony is that Thomas could very well find his way into the starting lineup this time — he’s already a finisher — because of the team’s sizable backcourt jumble.

Boston Herald

I’m not quite sure why the media is obsessed with this issue. Thomas answers the question the same way every time and, for some reason, the media treats it like news.

Actually, I do know the reason. It’s due to “controversy syndrome.” This affliction is rampant among Boston media. It spreads like HPV on a college campus.

For hopefully the last time, IT4 prefers to start but is content coming off the bench.

Let’s get to something interesting, like Thomas expanding his arsenal with crazy shots off one foot?

The Boston Celtics guard also watched a lot of Nash film to work on different ways to finish “not just around the rim, but even extending to the 3-point line.”

“I got a lot of one-foot shots that I’ve been working on, which extends to the 3-point line,” Thomas said Friday at Celtics media day. “And I know the first time I do it, you guys are going to be like, ‘What the hell is he is doing?’ But I definitely worked on it. I’ve been working on that all summer. I’ve just been trying to figure out ways to continue to get better and continue to be the best player I can possibly be.”

If the shot goes in regularly, I don’t give a damn how he shoots it.

On Page 2, Jared Sullinger was mum on the weight loss numbers.

“I can’t really say I’m where I want to be as far as conditioning-wise because I haven’t played 5-on-5 in three weeks,” Sullinger said at the Celtics’ Media Day. “There’s a difference between being in the best shape you can be practice-wise, and then there’s game shape. As far as me being where I want to be, I’m not there yet but I’m closer than you would imagine. This is probably the best I’ve felt emotionally, physically, going into a season.”

That’s certainly something that the Celtics and Sullinger should feel encouraged by.

However, the lack of noticeably visible weight loss keeps the concern level relatively high that he won’t have the kind of conditioning needed in order to build off what he’s done in three seasons in Boston.

CSNNE

Sherrod Blakely doesn’t pull any punches in this story on Sullinger. The headline might as well read, “Sullinger still looks fat.”

While there wasn’t a dramatic change in appearance, we can only hope this is the beginning of the new Sully. If he’s truly lost his bad eating habits and is truly committed to working hard, then his body will change. If not, he won’t be in Boston for us to worry about it.

Related – Herald: Sullinger encountered intervention about his weight |

And finally, Paul Pierce will retire if…

“If we win this year — win a championship — I’ll probably be done with basketball, just to be honest,” Pierce said at Clippers media day Friday. “It would be a dream — to be home, to be able to carry the championship trophy down Manchester Boulevard — it would be a dream come true. I’m excited for this moment.”

ESPN

I’m going to have a hard time rooting against Benedict Doc and Clippers this season.

The rest of the links

CSNNE – Lee stresses importance of chemistry | Ainge expects big jump from Smart | Herald – What’s realistic to expect from Celtics this year? | ESPN Boston – Media day: The hardest day for a coach | Mass Live – Numerous coaches said Young best prospect in D League