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.
“I think that Terry Rozier has made a great case for himself for next year,” Ainge replied. “He’s been our best player from the first day of training camp this summer. He’s been terrific for us. He was a good player last year in training camp, just didn’t get a lot of opportunities because of our depth at guard. But I think he’s winning a spot.”
The Celtics have a need for more creation after Evan Turner signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, and Rozier looks like he may be ready to answer that call. He hasn’t just put up big stats at summer league — he has also looked thoroughly in control of his talents, like a player who is beginning to figure things out.
MassLive – Danny Ainge thinks Terry Rozier is ‘winning a spot’ in Boston Celtics rotation
Last night the Celtics lost to the Cavs, 98-94, but Rozier delivered another impressive outing with 24 points on 7-10 shooting, plus 9-9 from the line. The second-year guard had several clutch hoops in the see-saw fourth quarter. He also did this:
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Rozier and Jaylen Brown (25 points on 8-16 FGs and 8-11 FTs) nearly carried Boston to a win, but the defense couldn’t get stops down the stretch. Cleveland was led by Jordan McRae’s 32 points, while Kay Felder added 22.
The Celtics have one consolation game remaining in Las Vegas. They’ll play the Trail Blazers on Friday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
Related: ESPN Boston – Danny Ainge on Terry Rozier: ‘He’s been our best player’ at summer league | MassLive – Boston Celtics summer league observations: Terry Rozier continues strong run, Jaylen Brown shows promise again
Game recap:
After falling to the Cavilers the Celtics look to lock in for their final game on Friday.https://t.co/8kHRIttfgx
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 14, 2016
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On Page 2: Rumors don’t equal facts
Sources indicate the Celtics are very much open to major moves, but, while situations certainly remain fluid and they have expressed interest in Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook in the past, there have been no discussions regarding those players in quite some time.
For those into analytics, I can state that approximately 25 percent of my time is spent hearing really cool stories that involve the Celtics — with 75 percent of the time devoted to tracking down how much, if any, truth there is to the 25 percent.
The benefit to driving down some of these dead-end streets is learning along the way the thinking that is driving the Celtics decisions and just how much work goes into each separate matter.
For example, one league source said he’d been told that if the Celts had been able to trade for Jimmy Butler after signing Al Horford, then Kevin Durant would have come to Boston.
The verdict after three days of research? Perhaps true, but ultimately not true.
Herald – Bulpett: Sorting through Celtics trade rumor season
Always trust @HowardBeck. Important to note his report says GMs think C’s are logical trade partner for Westbrook, not that there are talks.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) July 14, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIf you spent time on Twitter Wednesday, you saw a random account declaring that the Celtics were ready to wrap up a trade for Russell Westbrook. At other times recently, Boston has been supposedly about to acquire Blake Griffin, DeMarcus Cousins or fill-in-the-blank of the player you’re wishing for.
All these rumors have set off a frenzy of overreaction among fans and the media hot-takers, but Bulpett is a real reporter and he’s telling everyone to settle down. It’s all speculation. Rumors don’t equal facts, although they’re perfect for anyone whose goal is to generate retweets.
Would it help to get an all-star player such as Westbrook, etc.? Of course! But trade information rarely slips out of the Celtics’ front office. We usually discover what Danny Ainge is working on only when he’s ready to let everyone know. And yesterday wasn’t that day.
On Page 3: Is Young still too young to judge?
“It’s time,” president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. “He’s had two years to develop and play some games in the D-League and get some minutes in games and practices, and now it’s his time to really step it up and prove that he belongs on a team. The competition is real, I guess is what I’m saying.” […]
Still, Young does not believe he has a responsibility to show that he belongs at this level. He thinks that will come more organically, along with opportunity.
“I don’t have to prove myself to nobody,” he said. “I’m out here to get wins, just to play team basketball, what the Celtics need me to do. I don’t have to prove anything to nobody. Just make my shots, go out there with confidence and just play the game.”
Globe – For the Celtics’ James Young, the time is now
Someone should’ve told James Young that he damn sure does need to prove something, because he’s running out of time. Young has yet to demonstrate that he truly belongs on an NBA court, and now newer players are passing him by.
Abdel Nader getting crunch-time minutes with James Young on the bench. https://t.co/9FZR2NHbec
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) July 14, 2016
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President Abdel Nader continues to impress. Stroking 3s, finishing strong at-rim & playing solid D. It’s early to judge, but he looks legit.
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 14, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAnd Young isn’t even the youngest anymore, not with 19-year-old Jaylen Brown in the mix. At this point, the best we can hope for is that Young is included in a trade instead of a more valuable player. He may well figure it out with another team, but there should be no regrets here even if that happens.
And, finally: Dancing Bear highlight of the day
Here’s Guerschon Yabusele … simply because we want to get in on the “Dancing Bear” action.
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