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.
“Well, hey, listen, when you get injured, it is what it is,” said Ainge. “There’s not really much speculation. At age 21, he’s shown the propensity to get injured. That doesn’t mean that that’s going to be a pattern for his whole career, but time will tell on that.
“Marcus is learning — he’s 21 years old — and he’s learning how to take care of your body. And how important it is. But none of the injuries are such that they should cause major setbacks. They are all fairly minor injuries, which is good in that they don’t require surgery.”
Smart plays with an intensity rarely rivaled on an NBA court. His injury history confirms that he’s as likely to throw his body on the ground for a loose ball in summer league as he is in the playoffs. That’s just the way he’s wired.
It’s fair to wonder if the finger dislocation could have been avoided and even Smart isn’t quite sure how to explain the freak big toe injury that sidelined him earlier this month. But Smart’s ankle injury occurred when he stepped on an opponent’s foot and the leg injury was the result of bumping knees with Brooklyn’s Thomas Robinson trying to defend a layup (some will argue that Smart didn’t necessarily need to be racing back in transition in a lopsided game, but, again, that’s just the way he plays).
And now he’s forced to be a spectator again.
No athlete wants the label “injury prone,” but “propensity to get injured” is the same thing.
Marcus Smart might be able to alter his game slightly, but it’s his physicality and bulldog mentality that make him a great player.
We can only hope that Smart avoids the major injuries that have plagued Derrick Rose.
On Page 2, RJ Hunter can’t grasp Kyle Korver’s shooting tips.
“He taught me his process. But I lost focus,” Hunter laughed. “It was like step 30, and I was like, ‘Bruh, have you shot the ball yet?’ It’s just crazy. But to have that focus, that’s why he shoots the way he shoots.
“Everything is so meticulous and step-by-step with him. And I think that’s why he shoots 50 percent because every time he misses he knows why, because it’s such a step-by-step (process). Every time I talk to him I just try to ask him how he gets so consistent. And I think he just has it down to a T.”
Korver has explained his complicated 20-point checklist to USA Today’s Jeff Zilgitt. The lifetime 43.2-percent 3-point shooter says he can pinpoint whatever causes him to miss a shot.
“It’s crazy,” said Hunter. “And it’s something that nobody else talks about, the things he does. That’s why he’s so good. It’s like, elbow, eyebrow, shoot. So it’s kind of crazy.
While half of Kyle Korver’s 20-point checklist is obvious crap like “one hand” and “elbow up,” it’s the attention to detail and dedication to process that Hunter should take-away.
Just look at Ted St. Martin, the man who once made 5-thousand consecutive free throws. Except for the height, weight, strength, athleticism, rugged jaw line and pouty lips, he’s really no different than Korver.
And finally, Carmelo’s 7-step pull-up jumper.
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At least once a season we uncover what seems to be the most egregious missed travel call in league history. I think we have found the worst of the worst. Carmelo Anthony, with an official running side-by-side, took 7 steps before launching a three pointer last night in Miami.
Such an egregious violation makes you wonder, what in the hell are the officials looking at? The answer to your question is Animal House.
Fix it, Adam Silver. Just fix it.
The rest of the links
ESPN Boston – Q&A with Danny Ainge | CSNNE – Hunter heads home for first time as pro | Without Smart, Rozier is ready | Crowder: I’m not sticking my leg out | Globe – Celtics will lean on youth in backcourt |
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