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.
The Celtics remain in a curious spot. They don’t have the necessary superstar talent to be an elite contender, but they’ve got enough talent — and a superstar of a head coach — that should allow them to take a step forward again this year. And after watching 41 players grace his roster last season, Stevens might finally get to develop some of that continuity he believes is key to helping his team advance forward.
Boston has set modest goals: get back to the playoffs and see if it can win a game (or a series?). It’s baby steps and not exactly what some fans want to hear for a team that plays beneath 17 banners. Alas, the Celtics have preached patience in this process and have rewarded their fans with progress in the first two years of this rebuild.
The lingering question is not if, but when will Ainge finally land the superstar player(s) that he clearly covets? While the Celtics like the young talent on their roster, it’s obvious that some of these players will eventually be combined with the team’s ridiculous pile of draft picks to eventually land a star. Ainge has referenced “staying in the game” and having the necessary assets to attack when a player like James Hardensneaks onto the market. But there’s no guarantee that player will emerge this season. The Celtics are content to maintain their draft and development strategy — all while ready to unleash that third “D” — deal — when the opportunity (finally) presents itself.
ESPN Boston – For Celtics, it’s time to go camping
FINALLY! The seemingly endless off-season has finally ended and today marks the beginning of training camp with media day. It will be an all out love fest where EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!! While there are plenty of things to be excited about there are still the glaring realities that exist for this team if you view it from the rafters. Behind 17 curtains and marketed with a “Banner 18” mentality, C’s fans that set the bar at title contender will need to remain in a holding pattern. For now, the majority of these Celtic players are mere placeholders until the next contending team exists. Once that is understood, then you can sit back and observe the more important aspects of this team.
That would be the development of Brad Stevens as coach. That would be the question of: can Marcus Smart take it to the next level? That would be the intrigue of the rookies. That would be the mystery that still is James Young and his health. That would be the question of their best player, Isaiah Thomas. That would be the army of bigs that exists on the roster. That would be what move Ainge is looking to acquire next. That would be rooting for the Brooklyn Nets to have an abysmal season (and Dallas to have a less abysmal season, but still miss the playoffs).
The highlighted post above by our friend Chris Forsberg sums up their current situation nicely. In a CSNNE.com podcast, (19 min mark) Scal said the Celtics would have been better off missing the playoffs last year and getting the guy they really wanted: Justise Winslow. While I agree with Scal, I don’t anticipate their being much tank/no tank talk this year. Instead, they’ll be where they have been: in a holding pattern.
On Page 2: Isaiah Thomas could start
It’s way too soon for a decision to be made on whether Isaiah Thomas will be in the Celtics’ starting lineup.
Still, it has been a topic of discussion among the coaching staff and the front office and could potentially become an issue all season.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, speaking on 98.5 the Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich Show, acknowledged that he and coach Brad Stevens have had conversations about whether Thomas should start or not.
“That’s Brad’s call. Brad and I have talked about it … but ultimately that would be Brad’s decision,” Ainge said.
CSNNE – Isaiah Thomas starting? ‘That’s Brad’s call,’ says Ainge
Danny Ainge made his first appearance of the 2015-2016 season, on his weekly radio spot on the Toucher & Rich program on 98.5 The Sports Hub. One of the comments that stuck out the most was that he has had discussions with Coach Stevens about starting IT, but ultimately said it was Brad’s call. It should be his call and IT should start since he’s their best player. I know he played fantastic off the bench last year, but why not have him out there with Smart? Would it be that devastating for AB to shift to the bench? A rebuilding team shouldn’t have any set positions, and it seems like Stevens is going in to camp with everything up for grabs. It will be interesting to see if IT steals a starting spot in the back court. That’s one thing that would open some eyes.
And, finally: Terry Rozier has quite the story
Rozier liked to be active and on the go. But around the age of six, it went from preferential to mandatory. His father was arrested, sparking a backlash that put Rozier in jeopardy.
“When my dad first got out, I moved with him and was living with him. I was having the time of my life,” Rozier recounted. “We’d put on the gloves, he had me running with weight vests, it was a lot of fun just to be with my dad. He had got in trouble, charged with murder and kidnapping, and there were some guys that couldn’t get a hold of him because he was locked up. The word on the street was, they were going to come after me.”
As a result, Rozier was forced to move from his mother’s house to live with his grandmother in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights. He didn’t want to leave.
“I couldn’t even accept it at first,” he said. “There was so much of me wanting to me be with my mom. My grandmother, we still talk about it to this day, how we didn’t really click at first, it was crazy. But I love that woman.”
Rozier was a tireless child. His grandmother brought him to the park to release his energy. New to the neighborhood, Rozier tried to get acclimated with his surroundings. He discovered there were other kids who shared a similar love of playing sports. They bonded over the commonality.
“That’s when I started to find myself,” he said. “At first it was, ‘Why is she taking me here?’ Then it was, ‘I can’t wait to go back.’ I loved the park. That’s basically where I grew up.”
Basketball Insiders – A Life of Change Leads to Consistency in Basketball for Rozier
That’s just a tidbit from this fantastic piece on C’s rookie Terry Rozier. Rozier is a very interesting player to watch on this team. He was a curious choice with the first draft pick in June, one that garnered some collective groans from season ticket holders. After watching him in summer league, I think a lot of those groaners quickly changed their minds. But it’s interesting because the Celtics already have IT on a long(ish) term cheap deal, and he’s arguably their best player. They have Smart, who was their top choice and is billed by many as the next franchise player, which is questionable. They also have Avery Bradley who just signed a long term deal last year and while he’s not a point guard, he’s a guard who is ahead of Rozier.
But when you’re Ainge and reconstructing the team at this point, you’re not in position to draft for position. You have to draft for talent and shake it out later. I’ll be surprised if Rozier gets a lot of playing time, but after reading that piece and watching him in summer league maybe I shouldn’t be.
The rest of the links:
Boston Herald – Celtics set to tip off competitive camp
CSNNE – Celtics bigs preview: Plenty to choose from | Celtics Talk – E1: Camp Questions for Celtics; Special Guest Brian Scalabrine | Gotham: Roster stability should benefit Stevens
WEEI – DANNY AINGE’S 25 MOST CONSEQUENTIAL TRADES: 7. GOODBYE, RAJON RONDO
MassLive – Danny Ainge: Boston Celtics hope to make playoffs, play 100 games this season | Boston Celtics’ Brad Stevens is Jordan Crawford’s favorite coach
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