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 have a seemingly daunting home-and-home looming with the Cavaliers, but Cleveland wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the East on Wednesday night and could begin resting bodies. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Wednesday that the Cavaliers have considered resting LeBron James the next two games.
Unless Cleveland rests all of its stars, there’s still enough talent to challenge Boston (need we remind you of the 110-79 thumping in Boston’s visit last month?). But if the Cavaliers elect to employ “strategic rest” then they could essentially be selecting their first-round opponent, with Boston likely to land the seventh seed if it keeps pace with the Nets (and fends off any other charges).
ESPN Boston – A guide to Boston Celtics’ playoff push
Ok so technically LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers wouldn’t be calling up Adam Silver and telling him that they are selecting the Celtics in round one. Just as Chris Forsberg points out, if the Cavs choose to rest all of their stars, including LeBron for the next two games (both just happen to be against the C’s… what a coincidence!) then they’d want to play the Celtics instead of the Nets (or whomever finishes in the 8th spot). Look, if you’re Cleveland and you’re basing it on the last time these two teams played, of course you would choose Boston. The Cavs shellacked the Celtics back in Cleveland and LeBron looked like he was a high school senior playing against 4th graders. He was barely trying and still doing whatever he wanted.
But that was one game which is turning out to be the exception, while the rule with this team has been the exact opposite. But let’s not get silly here, regardless of who the Celtics play in the playoffs, they will lose. Could they upset Atlanta in round 1? (I can hear the greenest of C’s fans now: DID YOU SEE THABO SEFOLOSHA BREAK HIS ANKLE IN THE CLUB FIGHT?!?! WE CAN BEAT THOSE PUNKS!) Sure, there’s a chance they could beat Atlanta. There’s also a chance they could beat Cleveland, based on the fact that they have to play the games. But it will be interesting to see them matched up against one of the best teams in the league, stacked with some of the best talent. For the C’s fans that want the team to be molded after the Hawks, shouldn’t Cleveland be the easier opponent? Shouldn’t you fear playing the Hawks more?
It will be fun regardless who they play, but come on… don;t you really want to see LeBron back in Boston in the playoffs? Yeah, I know you do. Rest up, LeBron… C’s fans are eager to see you again.
On Page 2, Marcus Smart should study Kyle Lowry’s game
Lowry is a bully on the court, in a good way. His will to compete is contagious, and his powerful body is an extension of that. TV commentators often use the term “wrecking ball” to describe his play, and as Raptors fans know, that reckless energy is very important to the team’s overall identity.
Smart, meanwhile, plays for a city dying to embrace that kind of player, and he has the body to do just what Lowry does. Yes, he is more skilled than Lowry was as a rookie, but that can take a back seat to what his strength and motor can do to help his team in the short term.
ESPN Insider – Which NBA veteran should Marcus Smart study?
Coming straight from the desk on the one and only David Thorpe (yes, the same David Thorpe that has repeatedly ranked Marcus Smart low on his rookie rankings while ignoring his defensive abilities), he makes an apt comparison/study subject for Smart. If Smart can become close to the player Lowry is, especially on offense, then the C’s should be doing cartwheels. Remember, during the preseason these two got into it a bit, nothing more than friendly and aggressive competition, which was the genesis of this comparison. Lowry bounced around a bit earlier in his career, mostly due to reported attitude issues, but seems to have matured and found a home in Toronto. Smart hasn’t exactly developed that reputation yet, although his recent flagrant fouls and odd comments (saying most NBA players don’t play that hard… most players would have blown the lay-up he made against Toronto). But he’s a rookie and I generally give all rookies a free pass for a year. Still, it’s a solid player for Smart to study.
The rest of the links:
Boston Globe – Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca’s son on Duke’s national championship team
Boston Herald – Brad Stevens finds comfort zone
CSNNE – Four factors that have made Celtics playoff contenders | Franchises, not franchise players, all the rage in the NBA | Celtics’ front court puts Thomas in good position | Weekend with Cavs could be playoff preview for Celtics
Cleveland.com – Will LeBron James sit at The Q or in Boston? Guessing game on Cavaliers’ rest shifts from ‘if’ to ‘when’
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