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.
The NBA Finals are about to begin without the Celtics (this time), but the Green Team grabbed headlines anyway yesterday by announcing contract extensions for Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge. The news was universally praised by media and fans who know the value of stability for a franchise on the rise (in other words, everyone except the hot-takers). Here are reports from the eventful day and video of the Celtics’ press conference that followed the announcement. We start with Brad referring to the blank banner hanging at the team’s practice facility, a constant reminder that the only goal is the next championship.
“The biggest thing was that we all want to get better; we want to strive to compete to fill in that blank banner up there,” Stevens said, hoping to bring “Banner 18” to Boston. “There is a lot of good fortune that has to accompany that along the way, but you get a chance to work with people you enjoy to work with is the best part of that journey.”
CBS Boston – Brad Stevens Not Going Anywhere, Striving To ‘Fill In That Blank Banner’
“These jobs – the president of basketball operations and the head coach of the Boston Celtics are storied positions. Both were held by the incomparable Red Auerbach,” Grousbeck said. “I personally believe that Red would be very happy. This is the right thing for the Celtics, you represent excellent and Celtic pride on and off the court. These are the exact people we want to run the Celtics.
WEEI – Wyc Grousbeck Says Red Auerbach ‘Would Be Very Happy’ With Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens
Since being eliminated from the playoffs, the Celtics have announced plans for a pristine new training facility and extended their coach and general manager. That essentially completes the groundwork for free agency in July, creating stability at the top of the organization and showing that the team is committed to equipping its players with the amenities necessary to best compete for a title.
ESPN Boston – Celtics give extensions to Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens
A note sent to season ticket holders from co-owner Wyc Grousbeck on today’s contract extensions: pic.twitter.com/GHiAEXvk9l
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) June 1, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIf you have Facebook, a video of the entire press conference can be viewed on the Celtics’ page.
Shorter highlight clips are also available from CSNNE (if you don’t mind the ads):
- Wyc on the Celtics’ future
- Danny praises Brad
- Brad wants a banner
- Ainge describes seeing Dragan Bender practice
Brad also answered more questions after the formal presser:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RJjeOcSPVQ]
Related: Red’s Army – Celtics extend Ainge, Stevens contracts | MassLive – Brad Stevens, Danny Ainge sign contract extensions with Boston Celtics | Brad Stevens after contract extension with Boston Celtics: Not worried about getting paid like top coach (with video) | Herald – Bulpett: Brad Stevens commits to staying in Boston | Celtics lock in Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens ‘hopefully for banner No. 18 and beyond’ | Celtics extend contracts of Brad Stevens, Danny Ainge | CBS Boston – Extensions For Ainge & Stevens Gives Celtics Some Enticing Stability | CSNNE – Celtics Extend Contracts Of Danny Ainge And Brad Stevens | Five Reasons Why It Makes Sense for the Celtics to Re-sign Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens Right Now | ESPN Boston – Celtics were not going to let Brad Stevens reach free agency
On Page 2: What’s up, ET?
Have learned that @celtics unrestricted free agent Evan Turner has fired agent David Falk. He’ll be repped by Kevin Bradbury of BDA Sports.
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) June 1, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsGiven yesterday’s hoopla, this news was under the radar. How this move will affect Turner’s impending free agency is anyone’s guess, but there must be a reason ET has made this change at this time. He’s on record that he wants to return to Boston, and hopes to nail down his situation sooner than later. Perhaps Falk wasn’t the guy to get that done.
On Page 3: KD speaks
Kevin Durant also sat down for a press conference on Wednesday. Jump to the 15-minute mark for KD’s key comment about what’s most important to him in his future. If he’s even giving the slightest thought to leaving OKC, yesterday’s news out of Boston should give him something to consider.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr9f–XtR0I]
Related: NBA.com – Blogtable: What’s Next For Oklahoma City Thunder And For Kevin Durant? | Sporting News – Kevin Durant ‘not that type of person’ to go on free-agency tour
And, finally: 206 days to Christmas
FIRST LOOK: This is the 2016 Christmas Day uniform for the @Celtics. Full details here: https://t.co/9WWJFPfGJE pic.twitter.com/PjXsZnJr1e
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) June 1, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsCool, the NBA has designed a uniform for the Celtics to wear on December 25 – but only if the TV networks deem the Cs worthy. The Celts last had a Christmas Day game in 2012, when they won at Brooklyn. According to the Celtics Media Guide, their all-time record on Christmas is 13-16 – incredibly, all on the road. It’s true, they have never played in Boston on Christmas. We have to give the NBA a lump of coal for that.
The Rest of the Links:
ESPN Boston – Celtics trekked overseas to examine Dragan Bender
MassLive – Dragan Bender went through individual workout for Boston Celtics | Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics could be awkward, but productive, pairing | Jaylen Brown ‘very good’ in Boston Celtics workout, says Danny Ainge
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