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 Boston Celtics brain trust is at the NBA Draft combine in Chicago, where the team will meet with prospects, watch certain players do basketball things, and hope to gather small bits of new information to help the decision-making process. By this time of year, the Celtics have done plenty of research about the guys they could select in next month’s draft, but every piece of knowledge helps.
The combine began Wednesday – hello, wingspan measurements – and prospects will meet with the media Thursday and Friday.
MassLive – NBA Draft combine: 5 things to know as the Boston Celtics try to learn more about prospects
The Draft Combine is like the NBA’s job fair – the college kids present their resumes, take some tests and sit down for interviews. Most times, the summa cum laude guys don’t bother to show, and that’s true this year for Ben Simmons as well as Brandon Ingram and Jamal Murray (those last two according to a tweet last night from ESPN’s Chad Ford).
It’s good that Danny and Brad are doing their due diligence, but it won’t mean a thing until we know where the ping pong balls land. And about that, Wyc Grousbeck was interviewed Wednesday night, and Jay offered this analysis:
Wyc Grousbeck on CSNNE sure sounded like they will trade their BKN pick, regardless of where it lands.
— Jay O (@MrTrpleDouble10) May 11, 2016
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The Draft Lottery simply can’t get here soon enough.
Related: Globe – This week’s NBA Combine another tool for Ainge to use in draft | CSNNE – NBA Combine Has Been Positive Experience For Many Celtics | Sports Illustrated – Value of the vertical jump: How Combine results relate to NBA success
On Page 2: Just shut up
You know what I’m sick of? Sports hot takes. Like what people are saying about Steph Curry. He puts in an epic season, smashing his own record for three-point makes and leading his team to the most wins ever. He’s deservedly chosen MVP by unanimous vote. As if to prove the point, the same day as the vote is announced, he returns from injury and sets yet another record with a ridiculous 17 points in an overtime period.
And yet Curry has shade thrown at him by the likes of McGrady, Barkley and a more subtle LeBron. It’s outrageous, but not surprising. Hot takes have been a staple of sports forever. Check out what a Boston sportswriter said in 1952(!) about an authentic baseball legend and war hero.
Despite combat missions in two wars, Ted Williams was ripped as a “poor example” to America’s youth in the 50’s: https://t.co/xRM4vaevxw
— Bruce Allen (@bruceallen) May 11, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsSome people are willing to say anything to get a paycheck or to gain attention. Unfortunately, that will never change.
On Page 3: And another thing
The NBA conceded what we already knew after watching Tuesday night’s thrilling and crucial Game 5 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs: The officials blew two calls in the final minute. […]
For those of you counting at home, Oklahoma City’s final five points of the evening all came from misguided whistles, bringing the grand total of blown calls in Games 2 and 5 to seven. Not a good look.
Yahoo – NBA admits to two more crucial blown calls in Spurs-Thunder series
Something else I’m sick of: the referees committing game-changing blunders nearly every night. Yeah, yeah, it’s a long game, players make mistakes too, etc. But don’t pretend that bad calls don’t matter. OKC’s final five points mattered.
And the NBA handing out technical fouls after the fact for plays like this? Ludicrous. Toronto sure could’ve used one more free throw in the fourth quarter of a game that went to OT. Maybe if this call had been made during the game, the Raptors would’ve won in regulation. T-ing up a player the next day is beyond useless.
And, finally: Nobody likes Dwight, except this one guy
This is a little late, but in case you missed it:
Dwight Howard on Inside the NBA addressing criticism he has faced during his career https://t.co/96hzHdvKri
— TurnerSportsPR (@TurnerSportsPR) May 11, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWhenever anyone mentions the possibility of the Celtics acquiring Howard, the reaction from Celtics Nation is always “no, No, NO!” But at least one writer has his back, offering this pointed and spirited defense of Howard. Whether you agree with his points or not, his commentary is certainly entertaining:
Dwight Howard filled in for longtime Dwight Howard hater Shaquille O’Neal on Inside the NBA last night. Fellow Howard hater Charles Barkley decided this was as good a time as any to ask him why fans dislike Dwight. I am trying to imagine how any retired player asking Barkley this—12 seasons into a Hall of Fame career, no less—would have ended in anything but a brawl, and can’t seem to do it. It’s worth remembering that, 13 years into Barkley’s own career, Barkley threw a 5-foot-nothing guy through a plate glass window at 2 a.m. Perhaps Howard should have brought this up. […]
If I could offer one piece of advice to Howard, it would be this: Fight back. When an out-of-touch buffoon like Barkley asks you to explain why people don’t like you, turn it around. Ask HIM to explain why HE doesn’t like you. When Shaq ridicules you or lays claim to the Superman nickname, ask to see his rebounding titles, or his Defensive Player of the Year awards, or the box score from a NBA Finals win while in Orlando. Better yet, ask Hakeem Olajuwon to induct you into the Hall of Fame.
Complex – Hey, Charles: Your Problems With Dwight Howard Are About You
The Rest of the Links:
CBS Boston – Celtics History In NBA Draft Lottery | RealGM – Jimmy Butler To Represent Bulls At Lottery | Sporting News – Who would every potential NBA Draft Lottery winner pick first overall? | CSNNE – Five NBA Draft Combine Wings on Celtics’ Radar | Herald – Five things to watch at the NBA draft combine
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