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.

If James Young does not make it in the NBA, the problem will likely not be his latent ability to play the game but rather his desire to do so.

Young’s talent comes in flashes, but, even as he approaches his 21st birthday, there is the strong belief the 6-foot-6 wing should be further along in his development two years after being drafted.

[…] Still, there are some who question just how important basketball is to him, and, unfortunately, this is not an unheard of situation among certain young players in this league.

Herald: Talent needs desire to succeed in the NBA

This is actually one of my favorite topics to discuss because it really gets to the heart of how tough it is to actually make it in the NBA.

I actually get into this a little in the next Locked On Celtics podcast (posting tonight), and it’s something I’ve said on this site before, but the worst player in the NBA would be the greatest player you’ve ever seen in your life if he walked into your men’s league at the YMCA.

The level of talent necessary to be the worst player in the NBA is unfathomable.

The level of dedication to become even a serviceable NBA player is something else entirely.

I’ve often said that there are plenty of players who are as, or even more gifted athletically as Kobe Bryant. They can beat prime Kobe in a foot race and out-dunk him even in his dunk contest days. But they could never out-desire him. They couldn’t ever match his mentality or work ethic. The same goes for all the greats. From the wild ones like Kevin Garnett to the quiet ones like Tim Duncan, the legends all had brains that matched their physical gifts.

Looking at a guy like James Young, you see a lot of the physical ability. He can probably hit 90 out of 100 3’s in a drill. He can be the main option on a D-League team and dominate, but there’s something preventing him from getting it on the NBA level.

Some players make it to the NBA and don’t stick because their talent level isn’t high enough to get them to the next phase of professional basketball. They are good enough to make it but not good enough to stick.

But others, and I believe James Young falls into this category, are talented enough to make it… they just don’t think they have to do the extra things necessary to do it. They think they’re working hard enough, but they’re not.

Maybe someday reality will slap him in the face. Until then, he’ll probably have to go elsewhere to make money playing basketball.

Related links: ESPN Boston: Rumor Central: Is time up for James Young?

Page 2: Ainge can’t give up BOTH Brooklyn picks

NBA.com’s Ian Thomsen joins in the “I spoke to a bunch of high-ranking executives” parade and the people he spoke to suggest the Celtics stand pat right now and go into next summer with a top-5 pick in a draft that’s expected to be historically loaded, and then get a max free agent to pair along with him.

I know we’re all lathered up after all the recent rumors, but Thomsen flat out says “they cannot give up the two Brooklyn picks no matter what”… something they might have to do if Blake Griffin or Russell Westbrook come to town this summer.

Personally, I think Ainge is in a position of power, and he can exert pressure on the Clippers and, more so, the Thunder, by waiting. The pressure is on those other teams to make moves to accomplish their goals. Ainge is perfectly willing to stand pat having upgraded his team already and knowing he’s armed with the necessary pieces to do it again either by trade or draft/free agency a year from now.

So the strategy seems to be simple: low-ball those other teams until they crack. If they don’t, that’s on them. The Clippers can try to run it back with a team that’s failed time and time again, and the Thunder can sit back and watch two superstars leave for nothing.

We know that Oklahoma City doesn’t want that. The Clippers… well… who the hell knows what Doc Rivers is thinking other than “maybe leaving Boston wasn’t such a great idea after all.” But there’s no reason for Ainge to give up the farm when he’s got other palatable options.

And Finally…

… speaking of Doc… he pulled off another purely Doc Rivers move… signing Brandon Bass to a veteran minimum deal. So if you’ve ever played for, or had a great game against, Doc Rivers… there is a spot waiting for you on his team.

It sucks that the game has completely left Brandon Bass in the dust. He used to be a very reliable guy whose mid-range game was huge for Boston. Now being a mid-range big can be the death of your career.

The rest of the links:

CSNNE: Thomsen: no team has financial pressure on them  |  Report: Rival GM’s warn of injury concern in rumored Griffin deal

WEEI: 5 takeaways from Summer League

Herald: Stars have commissioner’s backing in anti-violence message… to a degree  |  Celtics don’t get many answers this summer  |  Jaylen Brown truly a student of the game