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.
DUD OF THE NIGHT: Take your pick. The Celtics couldn’t buy a bucket. The starting lineup was a combined 17-of-54 from the field (31.5 percent). Thomas (3-15 FG) and Jared Sullinger (2-9 FG) were particularly brutal, but nobody on the C’s played particularly well.
WEEI – Studs and Duds: LeBron James, Cavaliers Win Ugly Over Celtics
At the under-3-minute timeout, fans began to leave. Considering the opponent and the history, the crowd was subdued throughout the game, and could have been checked for vital signs at times. The Celtics didn’t provide them much reason to cheer.
MassLive – Avery Bradley’s 17 points not enough, Boston Celtics outclassed by Cleveland Cavaliers, 89-77
“I don’t feel like the entire game we were playing hard enough,” a frustrated Avery Bradley said after the game. “I even said it during a timeout. I was like, ‘Man, we’re not playing hard enough.’ Playing against a team like this, we have to play hard every single possession, and we have to understand that every single game, every possession counts.”
NESN – Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas Critical of Celtics’ Effort in Sluggish Loss
Life for Celtics fans has been pretty sweet for the past couple of weeks. The good stuff began the night after Thanksgiving, with a blowout win at home over Washington. The Celtics then went west for a five-game road trip that featured three commanding wins and a narrow loss to the always awesome Spurs. After a thrilling home win over Chicago, the Cs came excruciatingly close to handing Golden State its first loss of the season. The next night in Charlotte, although drained from playing double overtime against the Warriors, Boston pushed through to yet another win.
The Celts were overachieving, sitting four games above .500, rocketing up the various power rankings, and drawing national attention while making Celtics Nation optimistic about what might come next. The Cavs were in town, offering a chance at some payback for last season’s playoff sweep.
The game started out well, with Boston leading by six at the half. Then it all turned to crap in a disappointing second half. The Celtics couldn’t throw it in the ocean from the pier, shooting just 26.2% and being outscored 49-31. LeBron and Love had their way, the crowd was demoralized, and we were reminded that Boston doesn’t have enough talent to take down teams like Cleveland.
Yes, the Celtics are one of the league’s best defensive teams thus far (4th in defensive rating), so when their shots fall they can beat almost anyone. Giving up just 89 points to Cleveland should be good enough to get a win. But right now the Celtics are 25th in traditional shooting percentage and 21st in effective shooting percentage (which adjusts for made three-pointers). If they don’t improve their shooting, there will be nights like this. And, relative to Bradley’s comments, if they don’t play hard all the time, there will be many more nights like this.
On Page 2: Story of the game in six sad tweets
C’s hit more 3’s, more FT’s, 2x as many OREB, more asts, forced more TO’s, had 8 more 2nd chance pts & 5 more fastbreak pts & lost by 12
— John Karalis (@RedsArmy_John) December 16, 2015
To quote Doc Rivers, it’s a make/miss league. C’s basically had an advantage in every category but they made 28 FG, Cavs made 36.
— John Karalis (@RedsArmy_John) December 16, 2015
#Celtics coach Brad Stevens: I thought we did a reasonable job defending. I thought our offense was really stagnant. — Scott Souza (@Scott_Souza) December 16, 2015
#Celtics Avery Bradley: They just came out playing harder than us. The team that plays harder usually wins. — Scott Souza (@Scott_Souza) December 16, 2015
The Celtics last night dropped to 13-2 when giving up less than 100 points. The 2? Yeah, Cavs and Spurs. So, remember kids, always D up.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) December 16, 2015
The Celtics 32.2% Tuesday against Cleveland was not their worst shooting night since 2007. It was the second worst. (30.9 Vs. Pho 3/14/14)
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) December 16, 2015
And, finally: Basketball’s oldest podcast
LISTEN: Naismith talks about inventing basketball in Springfield — the only recording of him: https://t.co/6EYeholjPi (via @nytimes)
— Ben Swasey (@benswasey) December 15, 2015
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This brief interview with the inventor of basketball may not be as modern as our own Rainin’ J’s podcast, but it’s just as entertaining. Listen to Dr. Naismith describe how, before the introduction of dribbling, the first game ever played was filled with mayhem. Sort of like the Detroit Bad Boys.
The Rest of the Links:
CSNNE – Stars, studs and duds: Missed shots doom Celtics
ESPN Boston – LeBron gives shoes to teen with brain damage at TD Garden | Avery Bradley regarding loss to Cavs: ‘We’re not playing hard enough’ | No apology from J.R. Smith to Jae Crowder before ‘chippy’ game
MassLive – LeBron James: Chapter in my book reserved for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics | JR Smith: Boston Celtics’ Jae Crowder can hold his breath about apology | Boston Celtics analysis: Offense deteriorates against LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Globe – Celtics-Cavaliers is not much of a rivalry
Herald – Celtics still looking up at Cavs
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