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.

Kansas hadn’t lost in Allen Field House in 33 games when visiting Oklahoma State popped the bubble on Feb. 2, 2013.

Marcus Smart, the Cowboys’ irascible freshman leader, started a postgame show with a cartwheel and finished off the move with a back flip. He stuck the landing at midcourt on the Jayhawks logo in front of an annoyed departing crowd, his arms flung back like a linebacker-sized Mary Lou Retton.

This was Terrell Owens attempting to spike a football on the star in Cowboys Stadium, or Reggie Miller taunting Madison Square Garden with a choke sign.

Some of the greatest athletes have been defined by the loathing of their rivals, and Smart’s legacy as an irritant is preserved in the minds of thousands in Lawrence, Kan. The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year returned for his sophomore year against the advice of many, and immediately launched another Scud attack, just by speaking plainly.

Celtics’ Marcus Smart Matured By Life Lessons-Mark Murphy

When you talk about athletes who are loathed “by their rivals”, I can think of more than a few guys who recently suited up for the Boston Celtics. Most notably, Paul Pierce and of course KG. Now I am by no means comparing Smart to either of them obviously, but more so reiterating the point that you have to love that he has that quality. With so many guys just going through the motions in today’s league, it’s great to get a kid who just loves to play the game and loves to get under his opponents’ skin.

I’m quite excited to see just what Smart can bring to the table in the NBA. There’s nothing better than having a guy on your bench who can go out and get in the other team’s head. Players like this are extremely valuable and bring so many intangibles to the table. Of all the team sports, basketball is one that requires so much focus. If you can take a guy out of the game, especially a key player like say a Melo, your team is certain to have an advantage.

Some C’s fans may not like some of Smart’s antics, like flexing after a big basket, the incident with the Texas Tech fan, where according to Smart’s brother by the way he was called a “trashy ni****”, (guy’s lucky he just got shoved if that’s true) but you have to love his confidence, heart and competitive fire. When Smart was suspended for the issue with the Texas tech fan, it absolutely killed him. He was allowed to play on Oklahoma State’s scout team at practice though, and coach Travis Ford says his leadership in the ensuing practices was “phenomenal”.

Due to Marcus’ unsinkable nature, few on the outside saw how deeply the suspension — and what he viewed as a horrible mistake — hurt.

Ford put him on the scout team during practice, and watched Smart vengefully attack the starting unit behind closed gym doors.

“It was just dominance,” said Ford. “His leadership (on the scout team) was phenomenal.”

You definitely want to give Murphy’s piece a read to learn more about the guy the C’s drafted at #6. There were quite a few things about Smart that I didn’t know and the more I learn about him, the more I like him.

Page 2: One of Smart’s best performances from 2014

Our friend RD6 is back with a new vid-this one from newest Celtic Marcus Smart. It features one of Smart’s best games from his final season with OSU. Smart dropped 21 points to go with 5 assists & 4 steals in OSU’s 72-65 upset over Kansas on 3/1/14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FkV8VdyXZA

The rest of the links:

Globe: Sunday Basketball Notes | Marcus Smart, James Young Headline Celtics’ Summer League Roster |ESPN Boston: Celtics And A Smart Sophomore Strategy? | Herald: Scouts Line Up To Praise Celtics |CSNNE: Report: C’s Make $3.58M Qualifying Offer To Bradley | Fireworks? C’s Still Have Time For Sparks | Can Rondo & Smart Co-Exist? |ESPN: Kidd Granted Permission To Speak To Milwaukee | CBS Sports: Rich Gotham Talks Rondo & Team’s Future With Amy Lawrence