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 Celtics’ aggressive trapping defense took off last season. They finished fourth in defense, and their success was built on a defense-first model. Brad Stevens is one of the most respected coaches, and with the addition of Al Horford, they look like a legit threat to make a run at a top-five unit again.

Stevens has managed to help every player fill their defensive potential. Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart are both top-15 perimeter defenders, and even guys like Kelly Olynyk (?!) took strides toward being great defensively. The addition of Horford only makes them better.

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Horford was part of am Atlanta unit that really struggled on the glass and the Celtics figure to have the same problem. If they get hammered on the boards that could hurt their ability to run in transition, keeping the defense out of sync.

CBSSports – Predicting the best defenses in the NBA for the 2016-2017 season

For whatever the Celtics may have lost in free agency from an offensive standpoint (Sully’s ability to finish around the basket and extend the floor; Evan Turner’s mid-range game), they lost nothing on the defensive end — the same end of the court where they feature a collection of young-to-entering-their-prime guards and wings who pride themselves on shutdown D (Ray Allen acquisitions aside). It’s also the same end of the court where the Cs can now drop a defensive anchor underneath. Al Horford is a savvy defensive player who plays taller than his height with an ability to alter shots at the rim.

Get used to having a top five defense in Boston this season. The biggest concerns will be what happens to that defense if and when the Cs go cold on the other end of the floor? Also, as Moore points out, what will happen if the Cs get destroyed by a better rebounding team? Concerns, yes, but this team will pride itself on making sure it isn’t out-worked. Enough praise and notice around the league should only serve the fuel the Celtics in ensuring they are one of, if not the best defensive teams in the league.

On page 2, rookies speak out on their NBA experiences

ESPN.com: Have you had any “Welcome to the NBA” moments?

Kris Dunn: Besides how much money is coming in? Growing up I’d never seen $10,000. So when I got $10,000 for doing something, I was shocked. But other than that, no.

Jaylen Brown: A little bit. My first Summer League game, I hyperextended my knee and sprained both of my wrists. I was like, “Wow.” That was my welcome-to-the-league moment.

ESPN – NBA rookies adjusting to life in the league

No, I didn’t throw Kris Dunn’s answer in next to Brown’s to analyze which answer was stronger, had more upside or was a better pick. We’ll leave the next year or two on the court to help make that decision. Dunn grew up in New England and had one hell of an uphill battle in order to stand where he’s standing right now. His answer demonstrates just how amazing it must feel to get to this point, but also shows just how locked in he is and the sense of belonging he feels at the NBA level. There is no “welcome to the NBA” moment for Dunn. He already feels at home.

For Brown, that must have been a tough entrance into the league. Fortunately, he rebounded nicely and put together a nice string of games in Vegas. Hopefully his health and that momentum continue into the fall.