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.
No more barking at officials. No more being slow to get back on defense after what they perceive to be a bad call. No more “the refs are against us because we’re not an elite team” mentality. The Celtics, thankfully, were going to shut their mouths and play ball.
But Marcus Smart wasn’t cooperating with the plan when he told Jae Crowder to “shut the [bleep] up” after Crowder chided him for an unnecessary late foul against Memphis’s Mario Chalmers.
The Celtics are a young team but also a growing team that is nowhere close to full maturity. We’ve been learning that over that past two weeks, their poor execution while playing with the lead late in games demonstrating their inability to handle prosperity.
I’m not here to crucify Marcus Smart for cursing out a teammate during the final seconds of a close game. I’m just fascinated by on court dynamics and relationships. You know, the stuff we don’t get to see from our couch.
Smart apologized to his team for the bone-headed foul that cost them a shot in the Memphis game Sunday night. They’re over it. I’m over it. As Sherrod Blakely points out, this is one of those growing pains moments:
This team, the NBA’s fifth-youngest at the start of the season, is fighting for direction, for focus . . . for undeniable leadership from within their ranks.
And right now my money is on Jae Crowder.
The Marcus Smart brouhaha on Sunday may not have been a good look for the organization, but it was absolutely necessary for this team’s continued growth.
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But as much as you appreciate all that he brings to the game, he has to be smarter – no pun intended – in crucial moments like Sunday’s game.
And Crowder didn’t hesitate to let him know this, although Jae’s message was probably conveyed using much more colorful language.
You should never have a steady diet of having shouting matches during games, but from time to time it has to be done.
Will Crowder develop into this team’s leader? It’s possible. He’s trending in the right direction.
I’m not going to waste too much time analyzing such roles because this roster remains far from a finished product.
On Page 2, the Nets are still chasing a title?
Second worst team in the Eastern Conference.. No draft pick.. Starting point guard out for the season.. Coach fired.. No General Manager.. It’s safe to say the Brooklyn Nets are in complete disarray with an unclear present and future. Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez are playing great basketball this season, but besides them there hasn’t been many other positives for the Nets.
The search for a new General Manager is now underway for Brooklyn. Billy King has been the Nets GM since 2010, but was reassigned on Sunday. For now, Assistant GM Frank Zanin will run the Nets front office. Brooklyn reportedly has interest in giving John Calipari full control of the team. Calipari continually denies that he will leave Kentucky, but at the right price Calipari could end up with the Nets.
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Prokhorov is determined to be more involved with the Nets now and he said at his press conference on Monday that he expects the Nets to be championship contenders next season. Yes. Next season. Prokhorov will never quit at his goal of bringing an NBA championship to Brooklyn and he wants it to happen sooner rather than later.
A mid-season house cleaning will most likely drive Brooklyn deeper in the standings thus improving the Celtics chances in the lottery. You think the Brooklyn players are going to rally around coach Tony Brown? No chance.
We can only hope they find a taker for Joe Johnson. Or maybe Brook Lopez decides he’s had enough of this garbage and asks for a trade.
Prokhorov may have $40 million to spend but which impact free agents are signing with Brooklyn? This isn’t 2010. Jay-Z and Beyonce aren’t sitting courtside and we’re not longer enamored with the new arena and black uniforms.
The Nets are missing the playoffs next season and the Celtics are getting their lottery pick. Book it.
ESPN Boston – Celtics plunge in power rankings | Sipping on Avery Bradley’s Kool-Aid | Herald – Celtics need to stay smart | CSNNE- Celtics/Knicks Preview
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