Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
In a telephone interview with the Globe on Sunday from Shanghai, where Thomas is taking part in an NBA initiative to promote the game, Thomas made it clear that his courtship of Durant will not end with one vague and quickly deleted tweet. He said he acquired Durant’s phone number and intends to call him sometime soon.
“I definitely want to give him some time,” Thomas said. “I know that was a tough series and a long season for him. I wouldn’t want anyone calling me up about the biggest decision of my life right after the season’s over. So I’ll probably give him some time and casually talk to him, and then go all-in.”
What would going “all-in” entail?
“I mean, do everything I can to get him to sign, somehow, someway, hopefully,” Thomas said.
Globe – Isaiah Thomas on Kevin Durant: ‘That’s who I’m trying to get’
How can you not love this guy? IT seems like a natural-born Celtic, a hard-working star player who embraces the franchise and its heritage and traditions. There’s nothing that Boston fans like better.
By acquiring KD’s phone number and promising to call, Isaiah is going all out for the team. Even better is how he’s going public with his plan, because other free agents will hear his message too. Whether or not Durant signs here, this effort will make us love The Little Guy more than ever.
By the way, later today check back here at Red’s Army, where KWAPT will be sharing some highlights from IT’s events in China.
Related: MassLive – Boston Celtics rumors 2016: Isaiah Thomas plans to go ‘all-in’ with Kevin Durant recruiting | ESPN Boston – Isaiah Thomas ‘all in’ on Kevin Durant recruitment
On Page 2: Russell on Ali
“It’s difficult for me to talk about my friend because real friendship is private. Muhammad Ali knew how to be a friend and that’s one of the hardest things to come by. I met him when he returned from the Olympics in 1960. I invited him to my house, which I used to do for all of the Olympic gold medalists that I knew. We shared that experience. He knew how to be a friend and I’ll never forget that about him. His friendship meant a great deal to me.”
As Rich pointed out in Saturday’s Dump, Bill Russell and Muhammad Ali were contemporaries, not just as superstar athlete of the ‘60s, but also as giants of social activism. What’s interesting here is that while all the tributes since Ali’s death have detailed his impact on the world, the Celtics’ icon instead focused on his friendship with the boxing champ.
Friendship probably means more to Russell than anything. He even wrote a book about it, “Red & Me,” which told the story of his decades-long relationship with Red Auerbach.
Here’s a passage from that book (which I recommend highly) that spells out Russell’s feelings on the topic:
“Although we came from different tribes as men, we recognized early on that as professionals we had a common agenda: to win basketball games. As our basketball relationship played out, we also realized that, philosophically, we shared the same perspectives on life. Our core philosophies—of how to be men, how to be professionals, how to be friends—were in tune, so we never had to talk about who we were or how to conduct ourselves. We just lived it. Over the next thirteen years, basketball set the stage for our relationship to evolve from caution, to admiration, to trust and respect, to a friendship that lasted a lifetime.”
And, finally: Scal weighs in on FA destinations
Celtics semi-legend Brian Scalabrine gave his thoughts on the best cities for NBA free agents to consider and – as expected – the homeboy delivered for Boston. Check out Scal in his “White Mamba Minute” for Yahoo.
The Rest of the Links – Finals Edition:
Globe – Warriors expose Cavaliers’ ineptitude
Yahoo – Embarrassed Cavs looking more and more like NBA’s Buffalo Bills | Why Kevin Love’s future in Cleveland may be on the line | Kevin Love enters NBA concussion protocol after Game 2 head injury
NBA – James: ‘I’ve got to be better’
The Ringer – The Cleveland Misery Index
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