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.
Jared Sullinger said he was late to the Celtics’ shootaround Sunday because he got stuck behind a funeral procession. Sullinger was removed from the starting lineup for that misstep, but coach Brad Stevens was not overly concerned.
Then on Wednesday, Sullinger said, he remembered getting stuck on Sunday, so he took a different route to TD Garden and ended up behind ambulances and had to turn around and take another route. This caused him to miss the team’s walkthrough, and it also led Stevens to remove him from the lineup once more. This time, the coach was a bit more frustrated.
“Anytime you have something you need to be at, you need to be there,” Stevens said. “Of the few rules you have, one of them is timeliness.”
I was late Sunday and Wednesday because I got caught in traffic — that’s all. Sunday was just one of those days where I ran into traffic. It is what it is. Wednesday I got in some more traffic. I should have known. I thought I left on time by leaving my house at 3:15 to get here at 4:45, but it didn’t work out that way. I should have known with the Patriots‘ parade. It was just bad timing on my part.
I explained to Coach Stevens why I was late and he understood. He still has to set an example by not starting me. I had started every game before Sunday and I wasn’t disappointed at all to see that end because I respect the decision. I grew up in a household with a mom and dad who don’t like being late, so I understood the punishment. I had no problem with it.
I guarantee anyone that asks me why I showed up late is the same person that has been late once or twice in their life. Nobody’s perfect.
Jared Sullinger on ESPN Boston
As someone who deals with Boston’s insane traffic on a daily basis, I’m willing to cut Sullinger some slack on this issue.
But showing up late for consecutive home games? This reminds me of some conversations I have with my children where they fail to follow basic instructions less than 5 minutes after said words leave my mouth.
I don’t know when walk-throughs are scheduled and how much time is between a walk-through and tip-off, but Sullinger should be in the building several hours before a game. Isn’t that what leaders do? First to arrive, last to leave?
Let’s hope this is a learning experience that leads to Sully changing his habits.
I should be praising him for making two clutch free-throws to ice last night’s win over the Nuggets. Instead, I’m distracted by this crap.
For what it’s worth, CSNNE’s Kyle Draper reports that Sullinger’s tardiness last night was a result of getting pulled over by a cop.
Related links: Herald – Another late arrival lands Sully on pine
On Page 2, Jae Crowder looking like Malcolm Butler.
On Wednesday night it was Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder doing his best Malcolm Butler impersonation in stealing a last-second pass to help secure a 104-100 win for the Celtics over the Denver Nuggets.
Butler, whose interception near the 1-yard-line in the final seconds of the New England Patriot’s 28-24 Super Bowl win over Seattle, was among the Patriots players honored at Wednesday’s basketball game at the TD Garden.
“He’s (Butler) amazing,” said Crowder who also had 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and another steal besides the one at the end of the game. “He’s the guy. The play he made was unbelievable. The guys joke around and say I’m Malcolm Butler. There’s no Super Bowl out there; that’s for sure.”
Pats owner Robert Kraft, Brandon LaFell, Butler and a bunch of other unrecognizable Patriots were honored last night at the Garden.
Too bad the crowd was a bit light. Bill Doyle of the Worcester T&G says last night’s attendance of 15,126 was the lowest since 2007.
I have to ask the obvious question – what in the hell is Brandon LaFell wearing? A sweatshirt skirt?
Related: ESPN Boston – Crowder channels his inner Butler
The rest of the links:
Herald- Inspired Celtics strike gold | Rough stretch for Brian Shaw | ESPN Boston – Wallace crashes rolling rally | CSNNE- Small starting line-up a factor in win | Globe – Evenness of Celtics roster can be oddly effective
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