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.

Since the Celtics traded Jordan Crawford to Golden State on Wednesday, undrafted rookie free agent Phil Pressey has received more minutes at point guard — and he has flourished, recording 19 assists and no turnovers in the team’s last two games.

“Sometimes guys just thrive with that extra opportunity,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said after the team’s 107-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Friday, in which Pressey had 9 assists, 2 steals, and 6 points in 22 minutes. “He’s taken advantage of it.”

Phil Pressey Making Most Of Opportunity-Baxter Holmes

Danny Ainge took a risk in trading PG Jordan Crawford to the Golden State Warriors last week. In Crawford, he had a player that knew the C’s system well, and could be counted on to be a solid backup, or starter, if Rondo has any setbacks in his rehab. But Crawford’s play had significantly dropped off in the weeks leading up to the trade. It was almost as if mentally he knew his time was limited on the team as Rondo’s return inched closer. But with newly acquired guard Jerryd Bayless, the Celts now have another player very capable of playing good minutes at the point. And then there is of course Pressey. And he’s the very guy Brad Stevens turned to on the day Crawford was traded to GSW. Not a bad choice either.

On the day Crawford was traded, Pressey made his first career start, finishing with 10 assists in an 88-83 win over Toronto. The last Celtics player with back-to-back games of nine or more assists with zero turnovers was Kenny Anderson in February 1998. “It’s me getting out there and believing in myself, my teammates believing in me, and I just feel like the more I play out there, the more comfortable I get,” said Pressey, who has played a total of 48 minutes the last two games.

Currently, Pressey ranks fourth among all NBA rookies with 27 steals. And his 4.0 assist to turnovers ratio is tops for first year players. He has a great situation right now in Boston. Rondo’s minutes will obviously be limited, and RR may not play at all on the tail end of some back-to-backs. Pressey will have a great opportunity to get valuable minutes and gain confidence in himself and from his peers. He’ll also be playing behind one of the league’s best point guards and has a chance to learn so much from him. Not bad for a guy who was overlooked in the draft by all 30 NBA teams. I bet more than one GM is already sorry they passed on him.

Related links:

Columbia Tribune: Pressey Making A Push |  CSNNE: Will Pressey Continue To Grow

Page 2: PLEASE get Paul George in the dunk contest

George continues to tear up the NBA, last night dropping 36 points on the Clippers. Two of those points came on this ridiculous 360/windmill dunk. Umm…hey NBA-can we PLEASE get this guy in the dunk contest this year? Thank you.
http://youtu.be/Aplg8ivvmxs

The rest of the links:

Herald: Notebook C’s Juggling Act Weighs On Vets  Rondo Rebuilds C’s Confidence

ESPN Boston: Doc Expects Crazy Boston Return For PP, KG   W2W4 Celtics Magic