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.
In Smart’s absence, Isaiah Thomas elevated to a starting role and has given Boston’s once inconsistent first-unit offense a jolt. According to the league’s lineup data, Thomas and Avery Bradley are the fifth most common two-man lineup for the Celtics this season. In 551 minutes of total floor time, the Thomas-Bradley combo owns an offensive rating (points generated per 100 possessions) of 107.3, which is far and away the best rating on the 24 two-man units that have played at least 200 minutes together.
While the bench has missed Thomas’ scoring talents throughout Smart’s absence, it seems unlikely that Stevens would mess with the chemistry of the current first unit until a shuffle is necessary. During Smart’s 16-game absence, the team’s typical starting lineup of Thomas, Bradley, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson, and Jared Sullinger have logged 200 minutes together in 15 starts and own a net rating of plus-7.9 with excellent ratings on both sides of the ball (104 offense; 96.1 defense).
The same starting unit with Smart in place of Bradley (who moved temporarily to a reserve role after an early season injury) owned an offensive rating of just 98.7 in six appearances over the team’s first 12 games. Boston’s anemic first-unit offense was a popular storyline straight up until Smart was injured.
ESPN Boston – A Smart decision? How C’s will use a healthy Marcus
Yesterday, Marcus Smart traveled with the team to Charlotte as part of his rehab from the knee injury suffered November 20. The Celtics say this signifies that game action isn’t far off.
Although the team has missed Smart’s defense and aggressiveness, the backcourt offense has become one of Boston’s strengths during the second-year guard’s month-plus absence. Thomas is performing at a potential All-Star level. Bradley is still streaky, but his true shooting percentage is .553, up from .507 last season.
Brad Stevens has said Smart will initially come off the bench. How long he stays there will depend on a number of factors, but it’s going to be difficult for him to supplant either IT or AB if they continue their offensive production. And maybe Smart won’t have to. If he and Evan Turner make an impact together, that might stabilize the second unit.
It’s up to Brad to figure it out…and we all know he will.
On Page 2: Evan Turner on Twitter is hilarious
You may have missed it because of the late hour, but around midnight after the Celts-Wolves game, Evan Turner did a Q&A with his Twitter followers, and it was outstanding.
ET has a playful personality, and his willingness to engage with fans makes him one of the better follows among athletes. In fact, this Q&A was suggested to Turner by a good friend of Red’s Army, @thatnbagirl. Below are a few of ET’s best answers. Go here for the entire convo.
@NEUVlRTH hahahaaa — evan turner (@thekidet) December 22, 2015
@ant_trujillo looks like you can suck peanut butter out of a straw… Cool banner pic homie.. Are u happy you got my attention? — evan turner (@thekidet) December 22, 2015
@celticaustralia big ‘s — evan turner (@thekidet) December 22, 2015
@Hammadbanner18 evan turner — evan turner (@thekidet) December 22, 2015
@tschill2018 are you a fan of your parents grounding you until you turn 21? — evan turner (@thekidet) December 22, 2015
@MattBarnthouse 800,000 — evan turner (@thekidet) December 22, 2015
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And, finally: Cs are in Charlotte again already, and still no Big Al
Tonight’s game at Charlotte brings forth some strange storylines. Only 11 days ago, the Celtics went to Charlotte and won a bounce-back game less than 24 hours after losing to Golden State. It’s weird scheduling that the Cs will make their only two visits to the Hornets so close together.
Another oddity is that, just before that previous Boston-Charlotte game, Al Jefferson was suspended five games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. Big Al didn’t play that night, but that’s because he was injured. The suspension didn’t kick in until he was healthy – which happened to be the following game. So, the fifth and final game of Jefferson’s ban is…tonight.
The Hornets will make their only trip to Boston on April 11, the next-to-last game of the season.
P.S. Coincidentally, the Celtics played at Detroit on December 16, and will visit the Pistons again on December 26.
The Rest of the Links:
CSNNE – Bradley makes good use of teammates with added pressure
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