Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Of the four veterans who came north, only Wallace is receiving regular time. Kris Humphries has politely kept his words to a minimum over his restricted role. MarShon Brooks is confused and frustrated. Keith Bogans, who was given a magnificent $5.6 million salary to make the deal work, is fulfilling his role as a strong clubhouse guy.
But, as one league official noted prior to the start of the season, “The worry there is going to be unhappy veterans.”
It’s bound to happen once the losses start snowballing, and veterans continue to take a back seat to the kids.
Ainge laughs at this so-called dilemma.
“On every team in the NBA there’s unhappy players,” the Celtics president of basketball operations said. “I’ve never been on a team where everyone is happy with their opportunities.
“It’s not an ideal situation, and we knew that from the beginning. But it’s going to be hard for some guys with other guys in those jobs.”
Ainge values communication with his players. To that end, he routinely takes Wallace’s temperature.
“I’m just trying to give (Wallace) an idea of where we stand,” Ainge said. “He’s a good guy, a good pro.”
Boston Herald – A juggling act for C’s
While Danny Ainge is absolutely correct in the sense that every team in the NBA has these so called “issues,” it’s a bit trickier for this Celtics team. You’re heard the term “unbalanced roster” when this team has been discussed and that goes from odd mix of veterans wanting to be in different points in their careers (not rebuilding), young players looking for run and some spots being more position heavy than others. When you start to pile up those losses, it gets more and more difficult to manage throughout a long 82 game season. Especially one that is being managed daily by a 36 year-old first time NBA head coach. But Brad Stevens has done remarkably well considering the mish-mash roster as well as a heavy and busy schedule to start the season. From the same column:
Ainge also has a first-year NBA coach to worry about. Brad Stevens, in moving beyond the more protected environment of college basketball, has consistently preached opportunity, and the need for players to stay ready.
Humphries has already shown his value under those limited conditions. And though Ainge is there whenever Stevens needs advice, this supremely confident 36-year-old coach at least gives the appearance that he has this delicate situation under control.
“Not really,” Ainge said of whether he’s done a lot of mentoring with Stevens. “Brad’s a really smart guy. He has good coaches on his bench. Ron Adams has been in the league for years. Jamie Young and Jay Larranaga have been in the league.
“Jay was in the D-League,” Ainge added with a laugh of the onetime Erie Bayhawks coach. “You think coaching in the NBA is tough, try coaching in the D-League, where no player wants to be.”
That doesn’t diminish Stevens’ balancing act, though. And he has to adjust along the way.
“Sure, and every NBA team is unique,” Ainge said. “Some NBA teams are way more college-like than others. The challenge this year for Brad is that he has 14 players and no clear-cut winners. It’s really close with all of the 2 guards on the roster, and all of the 4 and 5 men. How it’s going to work out is unpredictable. They all can play.
Obviously, the C’s are a busy team internally as well as on the schedule. So far it’s going relatively well given all the variables. As the season goes on it will be interesting to see how players start reacting differently. Right now though there is little to quibble about from a fans perspective in that regard.
Bonus video: Rondo’s pregame workout, races MarShon Brooks, plays Courtney Lee one-on-one:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7eLsKZkgY4&w=640&h=360]
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Plenty of pluses for Crawford | Green, C’s get scrappy in win
Boston Globe – Celtics snap losing streak with win over Hawks | Kelly Olynyk sidelined with ankle injury | Indiana Pacers on mission to take game to the highest level (Sunday Notes)
Boston Herald – Celts pen new ending | Net loss as anticipated
CSNNE – Crawford finds his missing game in crunch time | Good, Bad, Ugly: Celtics back in win column | Sullinger on flagrant foul: I went for the ball
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