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.
The Celtics piss-poor play has made the natives restless, yet again. Blow-it-up-now remains the mantra of the frustrated. Change is coming, whether it be March 1 or July 1. Danny Ainge would move any player now, if he can get an asset without impacting the team’s financial flexibility. Unfortunately, such deals are more rumor than reality.
During an appearance last night on Comcast, Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen said the Celtics should be entertaining offers for Rajon Rondo. His trade value has peaked, at least for this season.
He called the rumored swap for the Lakers Pau Gasol “tremendous,” even though Gasol is 6 years old than Rondo.
Thomsen said about 10 teams need a point guard and looks at “Portland, Utah and Sacramento” as possible suitors and threw out the names “Paul Milsap, Enes Kanter, DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans.”
I highlighted Thomsen’s comments in the Dump, because he’s not an attention seeking journalist. He has sensible opinions about basketball.
Buckle up. We might be in for a wild ride over the next few weeks.
On Page 2, Paul Pierce sees no need for a team meeting.
“I think at some point over the next 48 hours, I’m sure we’ll have a conversation just amongst our team in terms of where we’re at mentally,’’ he (Jermaine O’Neal) said. “Because that’s the key, mentally for us right now. I don’t care what’s going on, we shouldn’t lose to Detroit twice in a five-day span. They’re playing good basketball but they shouldn’t beat us twice.’’
When asked if he will organize the players to meet, Pierce said: “I don’t see me calling a meeting right now. I’m not going to use the excuse that we didn’t have [Rajon] Rondo for the second half or missing out on [Kevin Garnett] or Brandon Bass. We just have to be more competitive. It doesn’t take calling the guys in for that.’’
Globe – O’Neal: It’s time for a talk
My frustration with Paul Pierce is growing. He looks uninspired on the court and his comments following last night’s debacle are disappointing.
I realize I’m not privy to everything that goes on in that locker room, but I’m not feeling the “leadership” vibe from Paul Pierce.
The rest of the links:
Herald – With Rondo scoring, team slow to adjust | Celtics can’t compete | WEEI – Celtics maddening mediocrity | Celtics get run over in Motor city | Dichotomy of Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo | CSNNE – Celtics will wait and see on Rondo suspension | Celtics continue skid, lose again | Garnett to miss one, maybe two games for personal matter | What we saw | Globe – Celtics get pounded by Pistons | ESPN Boston – Frustrated Cs move on | C’s near century mark for dunks | Rapid Reaction |
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