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.
What is known about Boston to this point? Well, Al Horford has been spectacular in the 10 games he’s played and Boston is 7-3 in those games. Isaiah Thomas has been one of the league’s top scorers, and his fourth-quarter exploits have Brad Stevens suggesting that out-of-towners should purchase League Pass to watch him play.
But Boston’s bench has been inconsistent at best, and Stevens is still toying with ways to maximize his talent. Lately, he’s tried to stagger Thomas and Horford, while also experimenting with lineups in hopes of finding the right combinations. Rebounding remains a major concern for the smallest team in the league. Jae Crowder is still working his way back to form after an ankle injury, Jaylen Brown is riding the sort of roller coaster that you’d expect from a 20-year-old rookie, and Marcus Smart mixes moments of sheer brilliance with head-slapping shot selection. Smart has helped enough to overlook that he’s third on the team in field goals attempted despite shooting 34.9 percent overall.
Before Saturday’s game in Philadelphia, Sixers coach Brett Brown suggested that Boston was a step ahead of where it was a year ago. Maybe he was just being nice because he likely meant in terms of potential rather than reality. Boston was 11-9 through its first 20 games last season (and was actually a .500 team through mid-January before finally taking flight).
ESPN Boston – Celtics still a mystery after first quarter of season
During the summer, Chris Forsberg polled bloggers about a variety of Celtics topics, including: “What’s your biggest concern about the Celtics?” The answers ranged from shooting to rebounding to second-unit scoring. And, as we now know, those were on the money.
My answer was “Expectations”:
Wow, the Celts snagged Horford, everyone has them ranked near the top of the East, and they’re on national TV almost every week! Now they just have to handle the pressure, because falling short of expectations is almost worse than having none at all.
One-quarter of the way into the season, I’m standing by that concern. From one game to the next, we don’t know what to expect out of this team. Even with a 12-8 record, they aren’t playing as well as everyone thought they would after a successful summer.
Yes, it’s complicated. Yes, they were hurt badly in the first month by the injuries to Horford and Crowder. Yes, they were mediocre the first half of last season before finding their groove. But even knowing all that, many fans are frustrated — by the persistent team weaknesses, by the up-and-down play, and by the defensive struggles. Moreover, we’re still uncertain about whether this team is overrated or just currently underachieving.
We might get a solid benchmark on that topic at this Friday’s home game against Toronto. The Raptors know that the Celtics were predicted to be their most difficult non-Cavs foe in the East. The Celts know it too. Toronto will probably come in feeling disrespected, while the Celtics will want to prove themselves and protect home court. There should be a playoff atmosphere in the Garden, and perhaps we’ll get some clarity on just what to expect from this Celtics team.
On Page 2: Jonas recovers from his broken ankles
Since the Celtics did win Saturday night’s game in Philly, we can look back and laugh on the Jonas “Broken Ankles” episode. It began when Dario Saric made the Swede look like a senior citizen on a patch of ice.
NOT JONAS. ☠️#celtics https://t.co/4fCvbFNzwD
— KWAPT (@KWAPT) December 4, 2016
Although Jonas bounced back, hitting a huge three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, he knew he couldn’t dodge being memed. His post-game tweet:
good win tn in Philly to start this roadtrip.The twitter trolls will be out tn im ready😂Now on to Houston and get another W. #ontothenextone
— Jonas Jerebko (@JonasJerebko) December 4, 2016
And some of them were pretty clever.
The morning after, we're not sure Jonas Jerebko's ankles have recovered yet. pic.twitter.com/BlCOlPAMy0
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) December 4, 2016
Still, Isaiah had JJ’s back, returning the favor on Saric…
WOOOOP. #celtics https://t.co/jVG3LkpVl2
— KWAPT (@KWAPT) December 4, 2016
…and letting everyone know.
Isaiah on crossing Saric after Saric got Jerebko bad: "Yeah, yeah, I had to get him back, because he sat my man down."
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) December 4, 2016
On Page 3: The Rivalry
When you think of great NBA rivalries, what comes to mind? Well, if you were born in the 1990s, your first thought is likely the Cavaliers-Warriors. The generation before you might argue Bulls-Pistons, Knicks-Bulls or Knicks-Heat. These are all great choices.
But the greatest rivalry over the course of the NBA’s history is Celtics versus Lakers. Between 1959 and 2010, the franchises met in the NBA Finals 12 times, including three times in the 1980s. Those star-studded teams included multiple Hall of Famers such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson, Magic Johnson, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton and James Worthy.
With the 30-year anniversary of the 1987 NBA Finals coming up—that series was the third time in four years the Lakers and Celtics met for the title—ESPN Films has commissioned a two-part documentary to examine the famed rivalry.
Sports Illustrated – ESPN to air 30 for 30 on NBA’s storied Celtics-Lakers rivalry
If you like basketball history, this documentary should be tremendous. LA fans think they control this rivalry because they managed to win the most recent Finals matchup (2010). Not true. The Celts have a 9-3 advantage head-to-head in the championship round, including 7-0 in the Bill Russell era. Meanwhile, Jerry West was 0-6 vs. Boston. Maybe they picked the wrong model for “The Logo.”
And, finally: Something to watch for tonight…
True story: James Harden and Boston's Avery Bradley are the only players to hit a 3 in every single one of their teams' games this season.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 4, 2016
The Rest of the Links:
CSNNE – Celtics Report Card: Isaiah Thomas Gets High Marks
Globe – Celtics rookie Jaylen Brown learns from playing through rough patches
Herald – Jaylen Brown’s energy needed boost for Celtics
WEEI – Full Court Press: Does Brad Stevens Really Want His Team Swinging For The Fences So Much? Depends
Basketball Insiders – NBA Sunday: Paul Pierce on the Clippers, the Process and Their Potential
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
