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.
If you arrive at a Boston Celtics game early and you see Rajon Rondo on the floor getting up shots, don’t get too excited.
The four-time All-Star, still on the mend following a broken left hand injury, has yet to be cleared for full contact which is a precursor to him returning to the Celtics’ lineup.
“Rondo has done some non-contact, offensive type work in practice,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters prior to tonight’s game against Toronto. “But just shooting, but no real defensive work yet.”
Stevens said Rondo will not be cleared for contact anytime soon.
“We’ll know more hopefully in 10 days or so, when he’ll get that word,” Stevens said. “He’ll be doing that type of stuff all the way through that time.”
It’s been two weeks since Rajon Rondo underwent surgery on his left hand. While it’s promising to see Rondo engaging with the team during practices, there doesn’t appear to be any change from the initial 6-8 week timeline on his injury.
It appears Rondo is on the path to being cleared for contact in 10 days and that will take him to approximately the 4 week mark. Throw in another two weeks of hard practicing and Rondo should be ready to go for the 2nd week of the season.
For what it’s worth, I’ll be taking my hangover to the infamous Altitude Trampoline Park today for my son’s birthday party.
Avery Bradley left last night’s game in the 3rd quarter and did not return. Sherrod Blakely reports AB was sporting a foot wrap in the lockeroom but the injury does not appear to be serious. We heard similar things about Jeff Green’s calf injury and he’s been out a week.
Related: ESPN Boston – Rondo engaging in non-contact work
On Page 2, Marcus Smart gambled too much last night vs Kyle Lowry.
There’s a cardinal rule for someone with Marcus Smart’s tough reputation, and he broke it the moment Toronto’s Kyle Lowry stepped on the floor last night.
“I gave Lowry the respect he deserved instead of just going out and playing,” said the Celtics rookie. “It made me take a step back a little bit and not play the way I’m used to playing. Lesson learned.”
He learned it the hard way, too. After scoring only eight points over the first three quarters, Lowry blew the Celtics off the board with a 10-point, three-steal, two-assist fourth in the Celtics’ 116-109 loss to Toronto. Smart was on hand, and out of position, for many of those plays.
“Lowry is very fundamental. He makes you pay when you make a mistake,” Smart said. “You just have to play him solid and don’t gamble. I gambled in this game a little too much and he made us pay. That’s what a great guard does.”
I didn’t get a chance to watch last night’s game (soccer was on the TVs at my restaurant bar of choice) so I’m unable to go much deeper into Smart’s performance vs Kyle Lowry (18 points, 6-12 FG, 6 assists). But I do like everything about the rookie’s attitude.
Smart may be gifted physically, but like any rookie, there’s so much to learn in the NBA. If he’s smart, he’ll repeatedly pick the brain of one of the best on the ball defenders in the game.
Related: Globe – Smart molding his image
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Responding to adversity | Rapid Reaction: Raps 116 – Cs 109 | The Commissioner: Bob Ryan | CSNNE – Ugly 4th sinks Celtics | Bradley lights it up early | Herald – Downtown shooting critical to success |
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