Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“Yeah, I mean, me and Rondo share a special bond,” Pierce said. “We’ll always be friends. We’ll always have something in common with our championship. Our kids, you know, they still hang out together. They hung out for his birthday actually.”
He followed that line with eight full seconds of laughter (yeah, we ran the recorder back and timed it).
The birthday to which he referred was Rondo’s 28th, an event that took place in Los Angeles while the Celtics were playing in Sacramento — and which led to much consternation in these parts.
(Earlier in the day, Pierce had said, “I thought it was great that he enjoyed his birthday. He wasn’t playing anyway. I enjoy my birthday every year, but mine is in the preseason. I don’t see what the big deal is. Everyone is making a big deal of it. Happy birthday, Rondo.”)
“You know, Rondo, I respect him moving forward with this franchise, and it’ll always be that way,” the postgame Pierce added.
There was an interesting set of scenes playing out concurrently. As Rondo chose to skip his league-required chat with the media, Pierce was speaking up on his former mate’s behalf.
Thank you, Paul Pierce for bringing some common sense and levity to the situation.
Note the reference to Rondo skipping his post game media obligation. I’m not sure it has anything to do with this story.
The Truth was asked (again) if Boston is in his future plans:
“Yeah, why not? Maybe play for them, maybe work for them,”
Unless Brooklyn makes a run to the Eastern conference finals, I doubt Pierce returns to the Nets. Doc Rivers and the Clippers remain a possibility.
I’m still holding out hope that Paul signs a one year deal with the Celtics and returns to mentor Jabari Parker. In this ESPN Insider story, Pierce’s value is placed at $5.4 million, a reasonable number.
Related: CSNNE – Pierce on birthday-gate | Rondo ready to lead | ESPN Boston – Boston return for Pierce? Why not | Pierce lends a hand to C’s, Rondo
On Page 2, Vitor is done for the season
Celtics rookie center Vitor Faverani is known as “El Hombre Indestructible” (“The Indestructible Man”), but he isn’t invincible.
Faverani will be sidelined for the rest of the season after having arthroscopic left knee surgery at New England Baptist Hospital to repair a torn lateral meniscus, the team announced Friday.
The 6-foot-11-inch Faverani, 25, the only true center on the Celtics roster, averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.73 blocks in 13.2 minutes per game over 37 appearances.
Though raw and new to the NBA game, Faverani excelled in spots this season, especially when he grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked 6 shots against Milwaukee Nov. 1.
Good luck with rehab, Vitor. Hope to see you back in training camp.
I’m still not sure what to make of Vitor’s potential in this league. I completely forgot about that 18 rebounds-6 blocked shots game against Milwaukee.
The rest of the links:
Herald – Celtics flex Nets | Johnson: Hall of an experience with Nets | Talk of the town with Pressey | ESPN Boston – C’s can’t give this one away | Globe – Collins quiet in return to Boston | CSNNE – Undeniable signs of growth
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