Your Morning Dump… Where DJ gets into the Hall

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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.

In addition to being a human version
of Velcro, he blocked an unimaginable 14 shots (1979 NBA Finals). It was the beginning of a
long run in which he would become basketball’s first and only destructive defensive guard.

Starting
in 1979, and ending in 1987, DJ was a five-time member of the
All-Defensive first team and a three-time second-team selection. Defense
was his calling card. He did it his way, using what can only be termed a
poke check. This unorthodox maneuver, frowned upon by most coaches, was
his signature defensive move

.

DJ always just knew. Think about the Bird steal from Isiah
Thomas in 1987. After securing the ball, there Bird was, tottering on
one leg, ready to fall out of bounds. That would have ended the story
had not DJ, who was behind the key when the play began, instantly sized
up the situation and cut for the basket, making a contested backhand
layup for the winning points.

Globe – The inimitable Celtic

Bob Ryan has a great column about Dennis Johnson, who will be inducted today into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Things I learned: DJ was one of 16 children, he was discovered by Seattle coach/GM Bill Russell. Yeah, that Bill Russell.

On Page 2, a look at Rajon Rondo’s new Foot Locker commercial.

(h/t KWAPT’s Banner 18? blog)

The rest of the links:

CSNNE – Celtics release exhibition schedule | Thibs settling in as Bulls coach | ESPN Boston – Summer forecast: Shaq a bust? | Cs Hall of Fame ties run deep | Fanhouse – Barkley still ripping LeBron James |

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