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.

Consider this: Rondo doesn’t just lead the NBA in assists; the league’s player tracking data reveals that he’s second in total passes per game (80.5) and tops the NBA in assist opportunities per game (21.8). More importantly, he leads the league in points created by assist per game at 29.3 points. For context, the closest player to Rondo — Ricky Rubio — is nearly three points behind, while John Wall is the only other player in the league averaging more than 22.8 points created by assist per game.

When Boston’s offense showed crisp ball movement in the preseason, some wondered if Rondo’s return might disrupt the flow and rhythm given his ball-dominating ways. Stevens was certain the team could find the proper mix of Rondo working both on and off the ball to allow the offense to thrive.

Through four games, Boston’s offensive rating is 106.2 points per 100 possessions, ranking, appropriately, No. 9 in the league.

“You talk about the fit and how good of a fit we think he could be, he certainly looks that way,” Stevens said. “The way that he’s pushing the ball up the court and the way that he’s finding guys. Then I thought [Wednesday] was his best defensive game, probably in the time I’ve coached him. So I think there’s a lot of good things that he’s doing.”

That includes rebounding. Rondo leads the team with a defensive rebounding rate of 24.8 percent — a number that even Kevin Garnett wouldn’t sneeze at. Elias Sports Bureau notes that Rondo is only the second player in NBA history to record 50 assists and 36 rebounds over the first four games of a season, the other being Oscar Robertson (59 assists, 52 rebounds) with the Cincinnati Royals in 1961.

ESPN Boston – Rajon Rondo makes filling the stat sheet seem routine

With any analysis this early into the season, it should be prefaced of course, with “it’s early.”  It is early and the early returns on a Rondo that returned 2-3 weeks early from a fractured hand are raving.  Right now, we’re all being reminded of what a healthy and engaged Rondo can do.  Yeah his turnovers are a bit high and he’s even admitted as much, but there are 78 games to improve that.

There’s also that much time for his overall numbers to even out, but who knows? The most important part of the quote above comes from Brad Stevens who puts to rest the notion that his game can’t fit with this team. I bever understood this argument since he’s one of the most plug-and-play point guards in the league.  He’s not a guy that needs his shots and is looking to distribute to everyone. Which bring us to Page 2…

Page 2:  TMac tells LeBron to get Rondo

Bron, go get Rondo out of Boston!

— Tracy McGrady (@Real_T_Mac) November 6, 2014

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIn case you missed this yesterday, Tracy McGrady tweeted this out, basically telling LeBron he needs to go get Rajon Rondo to replace Kyrie Irving.  Look, Kyrie is a fantastic player… a great, young scorer.  But if the Rondo critics hate how Rondo “pounds the ball” and is a “ball stopper” well, you must hate Irving then.  No? Well then all that means is you prefer point guards who think: “score first, dribble second, dribble third, dribble fourth, can I score now? Dribble again… ok I guess I’ll pass if I have to.”

Call me crazy, but I’m guessing (hoping, rather) that the majority of non-PG scorers in the NBA (or any player for that matter) prefers to play with a point guard that thinks pass first, second, third, etc.  Taking nothing away from Irving, but he’s also at the point of his young career where stats matter to him. Particularly scoring. One of the reasons why P/KG/Ray worked in such a fast and dominating way was because they were all at the point of their careers where they didn’t care as much about that stuff and just wanted to win.

The Cavs are not there, other than LeBron. So in a way TMac is absolutely right. In lots of ways Rondo would be a better fit there. Selfishly I prefer him here, but TMac knows what he’s talking about.

The rest of the links:

ESPN Boston – Stevens: C’s playing better than last year | Bradley (elbow strain) probable vs. Pacers | Celtics unveil “Parquet Pride” jerseys

Boston Globe – Celtics introduce alternative uniform | Notebook: Avery Bradley suffers elbow strain

Boston Herald – Celtics notebook: Celtics won’t look past hurtin’ Pacers

CSNNE – Bradley probable vs. Pacers with elbow strain | Celtics unveil “Parquet Pride” alternate uniform

WEEI – Celtics view Raptors as threat in Atlantic Division | Celtics going young in front court, Tyler Zeller still fighting for minutes

MassLive – Avery Bradley probable against Indiana Pacers, Kelly Olynyk has green light to shoot more