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.
An Emmanuel College bus pulled up to the end of the driveway on Salisbury Street late Saturday morning and dropped off more than a dozen excited basketball fans who joined a few others waiting in their cars.
They had all arrived to meet basketball legend Bob Cousy at his home.
Most of the visitors had attended the induction of Yao Ming into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Friday night in Springfield. Eight of them were Chinese. […]
“It’s unbelievable,” said Zilai Zhao, 26, a graduate student at the University of Alabama. “When I heard this news, I was like, ‘Can I have this honor?’ This is a great honor. I had only heard stories of this great legend.
“I will go back and do more research about him. When I first I came here, I can’t say I knew of his life, but after this talk I definitely want to know more about him.”
Yu Jai, 36, the top basketball announcer on CCTV-5, the main sports network in China, called meeting Cousy as “the best highlight of my career.”
Worcester Telegram – Basketball legend Bob Cousy holds court at Worcester home
This is an amazing story. The meeting was arranged by friends of Cousy who have business connections in China. The plan was to meet at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. However, at age 88, The Cooz declined to travel to Springfield and instead invited the group to his home about an hour’s drive away.
Yao may have been the big draw at the Hoop Hall for the fans from China, but a once-in-a-lifetime personal meeting with Cousy will surely be just as memorable. Those fans were not only introduced to a basketball legend, but to a creator of the Celtics history that is woven throughout the Hall of Fame’s exhibits.
Prior to their arrival, not all of the visitors were familiar with Cousy and his achievements. But who can blame them? Cousy played so long ago that few current U.S. fans ever saw him in action, except in grainy highlight films. Just know that his dribbling and passing skills revolutionized the point guard position, similar to how Bill Russell’s defense transformed the center position. The NBA we know today owes a lot to No. 14.
On Page 2: Isaiah is a Green fan
“Man, he’s gonna help us out,” Thomas said of Green Friday while volunteering at the McKay School in East Boston. “He can shoot the ball; he’s athletic, something we don’t really have, a knockdown shooter and someone that can create for himself.”
Green struggled throughout his past season with the Miami Heat, shooting a dismal 39 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range, but he played some of the best basketball of his career with the Phoenix Suns a mere two years ago. Thomas was one of Green’s teammates during Green’s stint in Phoenix and he’s looking forward to recreating the chemistry they had together in Boston.
“When we played in Phoenix together it was tough because we played so well together and they had two other guards that were pretty good as well,” Thomas explained. “I’m excited to get things going and he’s been here before so it’s nothing new for him. I know he’s gonna help us and I know he’s excited.”
CBS Boston – Isaiah Thomas On New Teammate Gerald Green: He’s Going To Help Us
IT agrees with Brad Stevens about Gerald Green. If they’re correct, and the Phoenix Green shows up to camp, the Celtics will have a weapon who can help them improve their erratic three-point shooting of last season. Certainly, Gerald will be more effective from the arc than the departed Evan Turner.
To be clear, Green is not a replacement for Turner. Their games are nothing alike. But Brad provided the environment here where ET rejuvenated his career. It’s reasonable to expect he can do the same for GG.
Related: ESPN Boston – Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas on Gerald Green: ‘He’s gonna help us out’
And, finally: IT = Baller
Soon after dropping in on a star-struck youngster, Thomas was looking to get into games with random Celtics fans. Truly, the Little Guy has become the man of the people in Boston.
Any open gyms today in Boston? I’m trying to get a good run somewhere
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) September 11, 2016
The Rest of the Links:
CBS Sports – Breaking down the most underrated player on each NBA team (Celtics: Jerebko)
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