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.
Boston Celtics assistant general manager Mike Zarren is a serious candidate for the Sixers general manager position, sources with knowledge of the search told SI.com.
Zarren is an intriguing addition to the field of prospects; a widely-respected purveyor of advanced player statistics in the NBA who is one of the least-known yet most-influential members of the Celtics’ front office group. A lifelong Celtics fan and season-ticket holder who began as an unpaid intern in 2003, Zarren — a Harvard Law graduate who has also served as Celtics’ team counsel — has become known as the right-hand man of general manager Danny Ainge. He is a regular speaker at the annual MIT Sloan Conference where so many NBA executives explore new ways to analyze players and teams in a more accurate, efficient and in-depth manner.
While it seems virtually impossible to imagine Zarren missing a Boston home game — let alone rooting for another team — his basketball knowledge, combined with an ability to parse data that other teams are not even collecting (or at least are uncertain how to analyze) make him an extremely intriguing option to teams willing to think outside the box. Is the lure of his own project enough to sweep him away from a team he roots for so vehemently? Zarren is most certainly qualified and his tireless efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by close observers of the team.
Raise your hand if you knew Mike Zarren was a key contributor in the Celtics front office?
His value to Danny Ainge is indisputable. He’s a statistical genius and salary cap expert. Losing him would be a small blow to the franchise. Losing him to an up-and-coming division rival also hurts.
File under: Not really a big deal?
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Jason Terry: Can’t wait for opening night | Flashback: Gorman interviews Larry Bird | Havlicek on new look Celtics | ESPN Boston – ESPN ranks Kris Joseph #467 |
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