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.
“I’m getting fussed at by the coaches, they’re trying to tell me to relax and ease up, but the main thing is, I want the guys to compete,” said Wallace. “If we lose every game, if we lose all 82 games, but we lose them going down fighting and competing hard, then I can live with that. I just can’t live with losing if we didn’t compete [Sunday], we didn’t give our best effort, and we just gave the game away. I don’t want that for these guys and this team. I want us to come out and compete and whatever happens, happens at the end of the day.”
The Celtics as a team responded Tuesday with what Stevens suggested was among their best practices of the season. And players acknowledged that Wallace’s words resonated inside the locker room.
“If you look at that preseason game, especially against a team like that, there’s no reason that they should look like they’re playing harder than us,” said Kris Humphries. “They’re getting balls, or we’re not getting back on defense. Everyone can see it. It’s not a bad thing that [Wallace] talks about it because we’ve got to be accountable.”
Gerald Wallace better be careful. If he keeps up this motivational BS and it gets the guys to work harder, Danny Ainge is going to ship his ass out of town. Oh wait, there are $31 million reasons why that’s unlikely to happen.
In all seriousness, Wallace is providing veteran leadership this team so desperately needs. You don’t want young guys developing bad habits during losing seasons. It’s so easy to say “screw it” when things aren’t going right.
The Celtics are going to lose more than their fair share of games no matter how hard this team works, so Danny Ainge need not worry. If Wallace’s play matches his attitude then he’ll drive up his trade value.
I consider this a win-win situation.
The Celtics play their final preseason game tonight against Brooklyn (KG and PP are not playing) and Brad Stevens is narrowing down his options for a starting lineup:
Stevens said he’s still debating how the starting lineup will look for Wednesday’s preseason finale, but said he’d likely treat at least the first half like a dress rehearsal for the regular season. With Phil Pressey available to resume backup point guard duties, it seems likely that the Celtics would re-pair Avery Bradley and Jordan Crawford together in the starting backcourt. But Stevens also said we’d see more of the Green/Wallace combination that worked well on Sunday. “You’ll see that [Wednesday] night,” said Stevens. “I haven’t decided exactly how we’re going to start the game, but I would assume you’ll see that very early.”
Jordan Crawford a starter. I’ll never be comfortable with that phrase.
If Stevens goes Crawford, Bradley, Wallace and Green, who gets the nod at the 5? Hump is my choice.
The rest of the links:
Herald – Wallace keeps up good effort | CSNNE – C’s recognize need for improved effort | C’s must be conscious of delay of game calls | C’s have good practice after Wallace calls out teammates | ESPN Boston – Bogans returns to practice |
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