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.
Winslow’s cut required stitches, but the second-year forward said later that Thomas’s elbow was not excessive, and that he knew Thomas did not mean to hurt him. Thomas said that the referee Tony Brothers even told him after the play that he did not think it was a flagrant-2 foul, but that decision ultimately rests in the NBA’s replay center, which is more than 1,000 miles away in Secaucus, N.J.
“I just did a regular basketball move that I do every game, and it just happened to connect,” Thomas said. “I don’t mess with no elbows. I’m far from a dirty player. It sucks the NBA makes those type of calls.”
The Isaiah Thomas ejection put a scare in what initially looked like a cakewalk win. He received the flagrant-2 with three minutes to play, as the Celtics were clinging to a 12 point lead. After the Heat cut the lead to four, Boston relied on the Marcus Smart-Al Horford connection, as the third year guard found the big man for two consecutive field goals putting the game out of reach.
The Celtics forced 23 turnovers last night, their second most this year. Last season they ranked second in steals per game, second in turnovers forced, and fourth in defensive rating, and with Al Horford added to the mix, the team was projected by many “experts” to finish first in defensive rating. Their hawkish perimeter defense of last year was assumed to remain in tact.
Boston ranks only 18th in steals and 14th in turnovers. Their defensive rating of 106.7 is 13th. But since the team’s horrendous defensive start, where they had the league’s worst defense after seven games, they made immense improvements. Since their 113-93 loss to the Wizards on November 9th (arguably their worst loss of the season), they have a defensive rating of 104.1, a mark that would rank second in the league behind Memphis.
If they can couple their top 10 offensive rating with a top five defense, this Celtics team will be as good as people projected them before the season. Last night’s win against Miami was a step forward for the defense amidst a tough stretch of the schedule.
Page 2: Flying Elbows and Questionable Rules
Because that type of violation results in an automatic ejection, the Celtics needed to play the final 3:02 of their 105-95 win without their All-Star playmaker. Even one of the referees, Tony Brothers, apparently told Thomas he did not agree with the call.
Isaiah said ref Tony Brothers told him he didn't think it was a flagrant 2, either, but had to go off official review center decision.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) December 19, 2016
Rarely do we see referees go back on their decisions, and we have never seen a ref talk about deferring to the official review center, but that happened last night with the Isaiah Thomas ejection. Tony Brothers, a veteran ref with 20 years of experience, may have been more transparent due to the lack of direct control he had on the call. An intentional elbow to the face undoubtedly is a dirty play, but the NBA in recent years decided any elbow to the face in a sweeping motion will result an automatic flagrant-2/ejection.
Over the past few seasons, the NBA has expanded its use of instant replay, as they now review flagrant fouls, clear path fouls, out of bounds calls, altercations, in addition to buzzer beating shots. The prevalence of replay has likely increased the likelihood of flagrant fouls called. Nobody claims Isaiah is a dirty player, and Justice Winslow even agreed after the game, saying Isaiah’s play should not have drawn an ejection.
Page 3: Where Rock-Paper-Scissors Happens
With Terry Rozier refereeing, Crowder’s paper covered Bradley’s rock. The two players were all smiles as Crowder immediately started walking toward the free-throw line.
https://twitter.com/CelticsJunkies/status/810661705265070080
I mostly have an issue with Crowder and Bradley not playing “best 2 out of 3.” In my opinion, that’s the only way rock-paper-scissors should be played. Crowder is shooting 86 percent and Bradley 75 percent, so technically the right man got to take the free throws (what’s the “ball don’t lie” equivalent for rock-paper-scissors?).
I like that the Celtics were having a little fun in the midst of Isaiah getting ejected, and nobody on the floor (opponents and refs included) believed that should have happened. I look forward to the hardo radio people calling it unprofessional, and that they shouldn’t be doing it when they’re barely beating one of the worst teams in the conference.
It’s not in the vine above, but during the broadcast, Brain Scalabrine called it “paper-rock-scissors.” You’re really showing your age, Scal. Also, I like how they solicited Terry Rozier to be the ref. I guarantee it was Bradley who recommended this, Crowder’s the type who might pull some funny business during rock-paper-scissors… it initially looked like he put up the hybrid scissor/paper.
The Rest of the Links
Boston Globe:
Isaiah: “I’m far from a dirty player”
ESPN Boston:
MassLive:
Did Spoelstra Call Marcus Smart a Hot-Head?
Celtics.com:
Clutch Plays Push C’s Past Heat
NESN:
Bradley, Thomas Lead Celtics to Victory
Fox Sports:
CSNNE:
WEEI:
Providence Journal:
Boston Goes up Early and Never Looks Back
Boston Herald:
Celtics Win Despite Isaiah’s Ejection
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