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.
TrueHoop's Kevin Arnovitz did a fantastic job assembling this video chronicling the Game 4 war between Pau Gasol and Rasheed Wallace.
They are relentless. Neither man gives the other a second to breathe. (I see the makings of a sitcom – "Sheed and the Spaniard?")
Can Gasol keep up this style of play? It will get harder if Bynum, who had his knee drained again after Game 4, can't go more than 10-12 minutes. The guys at ESPN LA take a look at trickle down effect Bynum's absence has on the entire team.
On Page 2, the Celtics defensive scheme vs Kobe.
guarding Bryant: get the ball out of his hands as much as possible;
prevent him from operating out of the post where he can shoot his
turnaround jumper or make passes to cutting teammates; get physical with
him to close any gaps to the basket; and force him into a crowd of
defenders when he does try to attack.
“When he is driving, [Kendrick
Perkins(notes)]
and Kevin [Garnett] are going to step up, making him see defenders,” Rajon
Rondo(notes)
said. “On the wing, guys like myself and Paul Pierce are going to
shrink the floor and make him see four guys on the gaps and the elbows.”
Yahoo Sports – Celtics keep guard up against Bryant
I haven't seen Kobe post up much in this series, have you?
He's averaging 30 points per game but shooting 40% in the process. There's a lot of talk that Kobe is due to have a go-off game. But history shows otherwise. Kobe didn't have that game in the 2008 Finals. He hasn't had that game in the regular season vs Boston.
As crazy as it sounds, I'm more worried about Gasol and Bynum that Kobe. Wait, did I actually type that?
The rest of the links:
Globe – Game 5 offshoot four gone conclusion | Putting finals pieces together (Shank) | Bynum situation unknown | Rondo struggling at foul line | CSNNE – Bynum's absence a big problem for LA | Bryant labors to make his point | ESPN LA – What if Bynum can't go | ESPN Boston – Rivers says window isn't closing on Celtics | Game 5 could be Ray's last in Boston | Herald – Celtics full of flight | Coach wants Ray to return | WEEI – Mychael Thompson says Lakers more talented | McHale says Celtics must win old style game | Yahoo! – Kobe vs Celtics defense |
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