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.
Asked about the potential Phoenix deal, Rivers said on Wednesday, “I didn’t even know it, so I’m surprised right now. I never knew that. I don’t think that’s true.”
When asked for a rebuttal on Wednesday, Rondo, who has taken to not referring to Allen by name this offseason, followed Rivers’ cue.
“I don’t know what happened or hear anything,” Rondo said. “I just stay focused and hit the gym. I didn’t read any papers or see anything on the news about No. 20.”
ESPN Boston: Rivers: “Let Ray keep talking”
The Celtics are just days away from opening up the season by watching the Miami Heat raise a championship banner… and the way Ray Allen has been running his mouth lately, it’s possible he’ll spend those days giving more interviews blaming the Celtics organization for letting him walk away saying things like…
“I was making a decision on the circumstances I was in, the circumstances the team was in at time,’’ Allen said. “It was a decision based on where the team was and kind of how they viewed me moving forward. You figure in five years, you do a certain amount for the team, and, if they’re going to move in your direction, then it’s easier to make that decision. But if not, you’ve got to make a decision for yourself.’’
And while we’re all sick of the Ray stuff, it’s dominating the headlines, partly because Ray just won’t shut up about it. But other than the disavowing any knowledge of a potential Ray Allen/Rajon Rondo trade to Phoenix in 2009, Doc Rivers won’t get caught up in a war of words.
“We’re just going to let Ray keep talking, it’s easier.”
Lord knows what’s going to come out of that man’s mouth next. At this point, the Celtics should just have a guy trailing him with a microphone and some speech recognition software that sends his comments to the C’s locker room bulletin board in real-time. There’s been so much motivational material for the guys that it’s hard to keep up.
I don’t want to belabor the point with Ray Allen. Everything that needed to be said about him has been said. The point of all this is the Celtics hear the words too, and they’re choosing to do the right thing with them, even if Ray’s not. The Celtics have had a singular focus all pre-season: the Miami Heat. Ray is one of them now. If he wants to run his mouth, fine by Boston. But you’ll have to excuse them if they don’t get caught up in this petty BS. They have other things on their minds.
They have a King to dethrone.
Related links: CSNNE: Rivers: “We’re just going to let Ray keep talking”
The rest of the links:
CSNNE: Green ready to prove his game is priceless | Wilcox, Milicic, return to practice | ESPN Boston: Rivers reflects on “Benji” | KG still a difference maker | 3-on-3: the elder statesman | Joseph makes the roster | WEEI: Celtics “legit chance at beating” Heat, and other Barkleyisms | Leandro Barbosa finally practices | Herald: Wilcox back in time to vie for roster spot | Barbosa quick to the chase | Globe: Barbosa, Wilcox, up to speed
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