Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the bigstory line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

“The Christmas game,” Thomas said when asked about what jumped out when he saw the schedule. “I’ve always dreamed of a game on Christmas, so that’s great to be playing in New York City on Christmas. And then, they say we got the easiest schedule, I guess, so we’ll see how it goes. When the schedule comes out, that’s when you know it’s close to basketball season.”

[…] “The NBA’s excited (about the Celtics),” Thomas said. “Boston’s almost back. We go to 22 national-TV games. That means something. That says a lot when you’re on national TV and the NBA puts you on. We’re excited about it. I’m excited about the opportunity to put a smile on more people’s faces around the world.”

Herald: Isaiah Thomas eager for start of new Celtics season

Isaiah just about said it all. I love the last line of that quote… the opportunity to put smiles on people’s faces around the world.

As I said in the latest Locked On Celtics podcast, Christmas Day games are great ways for families to get to enjoy basketball together. Younger kids get to watch with parents and suddenly they start to get hooked. And beyond that, not everyone can swing league pass so if you’re an out-of-market Celtics fan, you get the chance to see a lot more of your team. There are also six scheduled NBA TV games (and possibly more being added), so right there you’ll be able to catch about half the season on national television.

So it’s a great thing all around. This will be a big season and people everywhere will get a chance to see it unfold. It just makes everything a little more exciting.

Related links: CSNNE: Thomas embraces having Horford as the new go-to guy   |  ESPN Boston: Thomas: NBA knows we’re going to be pretty good  |  MassLive: Thomas: Everywhere I go, people are excited about the Boston Celtics  |  ProJo: Thomas eager for season to start

Page 2: Jaylen Brown explains his number switch

No. 7 wasn’t available when Jaylen Brown was drafted and then began summer league. It was occupied by Jared Sullinger, who was still officially a Celtic as a restricted free agent. During summer league, the Celtics rescinded Sullinger’s rights and he signed with the Toronto Raptors, making the number available.

“I had limited options to start with because a lot of [the Celtics’] numbers are retired,” Brown said. “No. 7 has always been my favorite number. It’s a spiritual number. It’s a divine number I’ve always liked. So when it became available to me, it was the number I wanted to wear.

Globe: Jaylen Brown pays tribute to his namesake

This is a pretty good interview with Jaylen Brown touching on a lot more than just the number thing. He talked about getting at with Marcus Smart this summer (you can hear Maine Red Claws coach Scott Morrison discuss those workouts, which he ran, here), the rookie transition program, and even about Dee Brown.

I have a feeling a lot of people are going to come around on Brown over the next couple of years. If this kid can put in the work, which he seems to be doing, and do the things Brad Stevens thinks he can, then we’ve got ourselves a pretty good player.

It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out. Maybe someday we can look back on the boos at the TD Garden and realize that making that pick was the best thing that could have happened.

And Finally….

…. Tim Duncan turned down an invitation to go to the Olympics with President Obama. 

Duncan’s former teammate Bruce Bowen, who is in Rio for the 2016 Olympics with NBA House, told SI.com Duncan had a chance to make the trip as well. Known for his calm demeanor and general shunning of anything flashy, Duncan wasn’t too keen on the idea of flying down to Brazil, not even after President Barack Obama offered a personal invitation.

[…] “It’s not often you find individuals like that. And it’s funny that he was offered an opportunity to fly here with the President of the United States, and he discussed it with me and I’m like, ‘You’re going, right?’ He was like, ‘You know I’m not about that stuff.’ Even that moment where you’d say, ‘I sure would like to be a part of that,’ it doesn’t happen with Tim because he’s not concerned with that stuff.”

This is so hilariously Tim Duncan. Dude got a personal invitation FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and he was like “nah, I’m good.” It’s hard to imagine a more perfect Duncan story.