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.

“People are calling me and asking me if I’m OK,” Nelson said. “I’m OK. I play basketball for a living, something I love to do. I’m the oldest on the team, literally. When guys come up and talk about my college career, they watched me when they were in high school, middle school, whatever. [I’m like] all right. I’m 8, 9 years older than some of these guys.”

[…] Before the Miami game, Nelson addressed the team, letting the younger players know he was also someone they could approach for advice. Nelson said he refuses to be just a passenger in Boston, because he was not that way in Orlando.

Globe: New Celtic Nelson must adjust to lower expectations

Marcus Smart, asked if he remembered Nelson as a college player, smiled and shook his head.

“A little bit, not much. I’m not going to say I do,” he said, clearly not remembering when his alma mater, Oklahoma State, beat Nelson and the Hawks in the 2004 NCAA tournament.

“You have to let the old guy live,” Smart joked when asked if he planned on ribbing Nelson about 2004.

Brad Stevens, overhearing his rookie, stepped up for Nelson.

“Unlike Marcus Smart, I do remember him playing,” said the Celtics coach. “I’ve been a fan of his ever since. He not only had a great way about him in terms of playing. He had a great maturity about him.”

Herald: Nelson back on familiar turf

Sometimes I write these headlines just to make my future self laugh. I’m sure I’ll get a real kick out this one when I stumble across it in a few years.

Trying to get a handle on this team right now is like trying to swim in the wake of a fishing trawler and then trying to describe the ocean life.  It’s way too turbulent now to get any sort of read on who will remain in Boston by July and who’ll be part of a deal.  And with Danny Ainge apparently intent on being a major player this summer, there is literally no one safe on this roster.

In the interim, it’ll be Nelson, now the team’s eldest statesman, who can impart some wisdom on these younger players… things like “rent, don’t buy” come to mind.  He’ll be able to talk about NBA life from a variety of perspectives like building a winner, playing for a title, being cut, being traded… in these respects Nelson as a lot to offer the young kids in Green. He has seen a lot in more than a decade in the NBA, and he can help supplement whatever Gerald Wallace has been telling them.

And yes, I realize the tone of what I’m saying. Nelson is not here to lead these young, impressionable Celtics into battle in green and white face paint like some basketball Braveheart.  He’s here to help hammer home a dose of reality. His leadership will prepare some of these guys for the inevitable.

This Celtics team will be radically different when it takes the floor in next season’s opener. A lot of those guys in the locker room won’t be here. Guys who have become your best friend could be playing in Los Angeles, or China, or Turkey next season.

Get your mind right now and learn to live with that because that’s life in pro sports, and that’s life in the NBA. And in the middle of it all, everyone’s got a job to do.  Like Nelson says…

“My job is to play, no matter where it is. I’m going to continue to play. I’ll give everything I have to the team I am on and for the guys in the locker room”

Related links:  CSNNE:  Nelson embracing new role with Celtics  |  Nelson showing leadership early on

Page 2:  Marcus Smart isn’t 100%

But that ankle injury is still somewhat bothersome to the rookie.

Following Sunday night’s loss, Smart acknowledged that he was experiencing some pain.

“A little bit when I woke up; it was a little sore,” Smart said. “It didn’t swell, but it was definitely a little sore. But that’s expected.”

When asked whether he was physically back to where he was before the injury, Smart said he’s “not all the way but I’m here.”

Smart added, “I’m still pushing through the ankle injury. 100 percent? No. I don’t expect to be 100 percent anytime soon. But I’m well enough to play and do the things I did before.”

CSNNE: Ankle injury still bothering Marcus Smart

Brad Stevens used Smart sparingly against Miami, especially in the first half, and I wondered as it was happening whether it was due to his health.  I’m not going to blame all of Smart’s struggles on his ankle, but I’m sure that played a role.

Yet another welcome to the NBA moment for Smart and other young players… you’re always going to be dealing with something.  And unlike college, you don’t have a lot of time in between games to sit out and rest if you’re trying to power through.  In the NBA, the games come fast and furious, and you can get yourself into a lot of trouble if you’re trying to play with an injury that should be keeping you out of a game or two.

Smart’s a tough kid, though, and if he says he’s good to go, we’ll just have to watch him and make sure he’s telling the truth.

Speaking of injuries, James Young is cleared to play tonight, which means we might finally start to see the rook get a few minutes.

Related links:  CSNNE:  Young: Everything was good in return to practice

And Finally….

Kelly Olynyk was nominated for Player of the Week honors.

Helping the Celtics to a 3-1 record, Olynyk averaged 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1 steal per game while shooting 60.8 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from behind the arc. Coming off the bench in every game, the second-year pro tallied a career-high 30 points in a win against Philadelphia and followed with at least 13 points in each of the next three contests.

Nice week for Olynyk, but the honor went to Al Horford.  I hope Olynyk understands now that his aggressiveness on the offensive end really pays off.

Related links:  ESPN Boston:  Olynyk nominated for Player of the Week

The rest of the links:

CSNNE:  Don’t expect Celtics to pursue Josh Smith  |  ESPN Boston:  Mailbag: Resetting expectations for Celtics  |  Boston.com: Plans to build in Stevens’ vision will pay dividends  |  Journal-Gazette: Stevens stomps out IU speculation  |  Detroit Free Press: Pistons release Josh Smith