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.
Not even the All-Star Game's lack of defensive intensity could shake Pierce from his season-long shooting slump. He missed seven of the eight shots he put up, connecting on a first-half 3-pointer for his only points to go along with two turnovers, two rebounds and a block over 11:07. Rondo chipped in eight assists (highlighted by a nice midcourt alley-oop feed to LeBron James) while adding two points on 1-of-3 shooting with four turnovers over 15:34. Celtics coach Doc Rivers must have successfully lobbied old friend Tom Thibodeau because Boston guys got a light run overall.
You'd think Rajon Rondo would excel in an up tempo game that featured about 157 dunks, but (despite the 8 assists) he never found a rhythm with his teammates. To his credit, that midcourt alley-oop to LeBron was the best pass of the night.
Paul Pierce's biggest contribution was heckling Kobe Bryant:
“I was just heckling him, that’s all, just a good friendly heckle going on between two rivals,’’ Pierce said. “I was having fun. It’s the All-Star Game. That’s all it is. Just a little heckling, trying to get him to miss the shot, he missed the shot. It gave us a chance.’’
There was a lot of choking in this game. Kobe Bryant's missed free throw. Dwyane Wade's fumbled pass. Deron Williams' bricked three-pointer. LeBron James' decision to throw a cross-court pass instead of shooting in the final seconds (You must read Adrian Wojnarowski's column on LBJ).
At least I was entertained.
Related links: Herald – Paul Pierce, Kobe Bryant all talk | CSNNE - What we saw | West tops East in nailbiter | ESPN Boston – All-Star history: Pierce and Rondo | ESPN – Hollinger's All-Star grades | Globe – MVP Durant leads West stars by East | Celtics.com – Rondo dishes 8 assists but East falls | Crossover Chronicles – Pierce interview (audio)
On Page 2, unsexy roster speculation involving the Celtics and a big man.
The Boston Celtics are very much in the market for adding a big man, and may not have to go too far to find one — 90 miles, actually.
Free agency and trades are options, but the C's haven't ruled out dipping into the D-League, either.
One of the top D-League centers is Jeff Foote, who plays for the Springfield Armor.
Foote had four points and seven rebounds in the D-League all-star game this weekend, told CSNNE.com that he's well aware that the Celtics are in the market for some help in the frontcourt. With the Armor, he's averaging 15 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game.
Zzzzzz….
The rest of the links:
Herald – Shaq says Celtics miss his inside presence | Worcester Telegram: Venerable Celtics are just looking old | Sentinel Enterprise – Don't give up on Celtics |
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