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.
Celtics deliver message of unity with interlocked arms, video.
📰: https://t.co/xj2hZSUC33 pic.twitter.com/Jjkhf3p4gv
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) October 5, 2016
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Celtics #unity display goes back to 1960-61 season via @tvabby pic.twitter.com/dD5TMAdS25
— Chuck M. (@RedsArmy_Chuck) October 4, 2016
The Boston Celtics joined hands throughout the national anthem Tuesday night to promote unity.
After all of the different anthem demonstrations of the last couple of months, starting with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the Celtics put a lot of thought into their approach. According to head coach Brad Stevens, they met together as a team three or four times to decide what they would do during the anthem. Regardless of what they decided, they wanted to deliver the response as a full team — to show they stand together like they want the country to do. […]
What message did the Celtics want to spread?
“That we need change in this world,” Jae Crowder said before the demonstration. “We need to do it together. Just not one individual; it’s got to be a team type deal, a unity, a togetherness. Whatever we decide our message to be, it has to be about being together as one and coming together as one.”
MassLive – Boston Celtics join hands during national anthem to spread message of ‘unity’
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“We’ve had a lot of sit-down discussions about it. We’ve had a lot of individual discussions,” Stevens said. “We’ve had three or four meetings after practices, sometimes just players, sometimes just us, sometimes people we’ve invited in from the outside to spend time with our guys. Our guys have been incredibly thoughtful, and I think, like from what I’ve seen across the NBA early on, I think our guys are really focused on promoting positive unity, togetherness, progress and all those types of things. But those have been, as far as deep, certainly good discussions, they’ve been great. And I commend our guys for sharing and for thinking and for really looking at this in a really insightful way.
ESPN Boston – Celtics deliver message of unity with interlocked arms, video
Related: CSNNE – Celtics Pay Homage To 60-61 Team In During National Anthem (features complete video of anthem plus report from Abby Chin) | Fox Sports – Boston Celtics replicate 1960’s unity demonstration during national anthem | MassLive – Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics look to bring positive social message: ‘There’s problems we have to face’ | Herald – Celtics show team unity during national anthem
Shades of Ubuntu. Here’s a salute to the Celtics for making a powerful statement in a positive way. They followed it up with this video message.
A message from our players on #unity. pic.twitter.com/enT6DALs1b
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 4, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsMore than any other franchise, the Celtics are known for their traditions. It’s appropriate, therefore, that the current team recreated the approach of the 1960 squad. That group had Bill Russell, one of the most outspoken athletes ever; Bob Cousy, a visible white ally in an era when that was uncommon; and a culture of equality established by Red Auerbach.
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIt’s a shame that 56 years after that Celtics team first joined hands in this manner, it’s necessary to do it again. Society is still striving for unity. Sadly, it seems like we have a long way to go. But perhaps this approach will keep the focus on the reason for the demonstration, rather than on the act of demonstrating.
On Page 2: Oh my!
We know Jaylen Brown is the most athletic player the Celtics have had in many a year, and he demonstrated that last night with two jaw-dropping hoops on consecutive 4th-quarter possessions. The second one is actually the best of the two. Everyone can dunk, but not everyone can contort themselves through traffic to spin home a shot with extreme English. Looking forward to these kind of highlights on a nightly basis.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMd6PTYzVH0]On Page 3: Kelly O with the D
Olynyk isn’t an elite shot blocker, and he’s not going to attack you on the edge. But what he does is give the Celtics a shooter big who can contain on drives. That’s crazy valuable in their scheme, and it puts them on a whole new level. It is not a coincidence that the Celtics defense was five points better with him on the floor last year.
CBS Sports – Breaking down the most important defensive player for each NBA team
After adding Horford to the stout core of Bradley, Smart, Crowder and Johnson, the Celtics may well have the top defense in the NBA this season. We don’t think of Kelly as the same level defender, but it’s a credit to him that he can provide the under-the-radar contribution cited here. This type of small edge can be the difference in establishing an elite defense.
And, finally: Really, Jeanie Buss? Really?
Jeanie Buss, the president of the Lakers, was interviewed about her draft strategy for fantasy football. First she said she won’t draft Tom Brady, then added:
“Well, I won’t draft Ben Roethlisberger,” she says, citing his history of alleged sexual assault. “I’d rather lose without him than win with him. And I won’t take anyone who plays for the Washington NFL team because I don’t want to say the name. That organization needs to change…”
There is a pause. Buss is one of the NBA’s best talkers, a media godsend who rarely pulls punches or dodges inquiries. She’s smart, forthright and engaging. Yet here, with this topic, she is struggling. Roethlisberger’s history is easily viewed. Washington’s history is also well-documented. But what, exactly, does she have against the New England quarterback?
Hmm…
“You…ah…it’s…um…um…it’s probably…eh…well, I don’t know,” she says. “Maybe it’s a holdover from my dislike of the Celtics from the Larry Bird time. Or…mmm…um…I don’t know what it is. He’s just too successful, too smug, too much of a winner.”
Bleacher Report – Why You Really Hate Tom Brady
Hard to believe a Lakers exec would say these things with no irony or self-awareness. Sexual assault? Smug? Sounds like one of her former employees. Maybe she forgot about this, and this.
The Rest of the Links:
MassLive – Al Horford, Jaylen Brown impressive but Boston Celtics fall to Philadelphia 76ers in preseason opener, 92-89 | Al Horford ‘very encouraged’ after Boston Celtics preseason debut | Boston Celtics notes: Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier play crunch-time minutes against Philadelphia 76ers third unit | Boston Celtics fall to Philadelphia 76ers: 10 things to like & dislike from preseason opener
CSNNE – Horford, Brown Start Celtics Career Strong In Debut | Stevens: There’s Great Learning From That Game | Horford: ‘A Lot Of Positives’ In Celtics First Preseason Game | Stars, Studs And Duds From The Celtics 92-89 Loss To The 76ers
Globe – Celtics draft pick Ante Zizic making strides in Croatia | Al Horford shines but Celtics fall in preseason opener
Herald – Celtics Notebook: Subs can’t keep up with starters in preseason loss to Sixers | Kelly Olynyk vows to be more assertive with outside shot this season
ESPN Boston – Bumpy start to camp, but Al Horford looks smooth in Boston debut
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