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.
“I really didn’t even watch the special,” Mickey said of the report, which aired Tuesday. “I came in to get a shooting session in before anyone else. I’m just focusing on my game right now. This is a job now. Everyone wants to make a career out of this, and that’s exactly what I want to do.”
I haven’t read the book or anything,” said Mickey, who said he hasn’t been contacted by investigators or Louisville authorities. “I was recruited four years ago. I honestly don’t remember it.”
Rozier, who has expressed doubt that Louisville coach Rick Pitino was aware of the parties, has taken his own measures to avoid contact from the outside.
“My phone is off,” he said. “I don’t allow it to be a distraction because I have a great support system, great people around me.
“I just pay attention to what’s important in my life right now,” said Rozier. “That’s not really important to me. I’m just trying to be better. I’m a Celtic, I’m not a Cardinal anymore, and I’m trying to move on.”
Unless new explosive allegations surface, this should be the last time Terry Rozier and Jordan Mickey have to answer questions about the Louisville sex scandal.
While I do find it disturbing a university would fund sex parties for athletic recruits, I do not have a problem with athletes who partake in the festivities. How many 17-year olds would excuse themselves from such a scene? Not many.
I will enjoy watching Rick Pitino attempt to squirm his way out of this one. He may have survived the scandalous affair/extortion case in 2010, but I don’t think Louisville officials will be so forgiving this time around.
Related: CSNNE – Stevens addresses allegations | Globe – Rozier, Mickey decline to address case
On Page 2, Isaiah Thomas has tendinitis.
Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas sat out of practice again on Wednesday due to a left leg injury, but Celtics coach Brad Stevens stressed that the team is simply being cautious with the regular season approaching.
“Isaiah has some tendinitis from the contusion. He got a bruised shin and then he got a little bit of tendinitis,” Stevens told reporters after Wednesday’s workout. Thomas got kicked in the shin during a win over the Brooklyn Nets last week and the injury flared on him before Sunday’s practice. The Celtics held him out of Monday’s rematch with the Nets and did not practice on Tuesday.
There’s plenty of time for IT4 to get his knee right. The Celtics finish their exhibition schedule with games tonight and Friday. The regular season begins next Wednesday vs Philadelphia.
With a week of rest Thomas should be ready to drop 20+ on the Sixers.
And finally, Tristan Thompson is getting paid.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson have agreed on a five-year, $82 million deal, agent Rich Paul told ESPN.com on Wednesday.
The deal does not include player or team options, and all money is guaranteed.
At $16.4 million annually, it will make Thompson the sixth-highest-paid power forward in the NBA and equal the contract signed by Golden State Warriorsforward Draymond Green over the summer.
$82 million used to be a lot of money for a guy with Tristan Thompson’s skill set. But as the cap explodes over 2-3 years, he’ll likely be the 15th highest paid power forward in the league.
FWIW, I think Thompson is worth the money. If you watched the NBA playoffs, you saw him dominate games with rebounding, heart and hustle. Those guys are hard to find.
The rest of the links
Herald – Stevens ready for civic duty | CSNNE – Celtics focusing on late game execution
Image courtesy Boston Globe
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