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.
#Celtics in national spotlight over next 4 days. Will show if they deserve to stay vs. #Bulls (ESPN) and #Warriors (undefeated #NBA champs).
— Scott Souza (@Scott_Souza) December 8, 2015
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If you’re like me, you were hoping the Pacers wouldn’t spoil the party by beating Golden State on Tuesday night. They didn’t. The Warriors will arrive in Boston undefeated, with two days of rest before Friday night’s epic (we hope) confrontation at the Garden.
How good are the Warriors? Besides being 23-0? Well, midway through the first quarter last night in Indiana, Golden State trailed the Pacers, 21-15. Over the next four and a half minutes, the Dubs scored 22 straight points. When Indy finally scored to break that run, it took only six seconds for Klay Thompson to answer with a demoralizing three-pointer. There’s very little margin for error when the Warriors are hitting threes like layups.
Now we have the rest of this week to get hyped about how the Celtics can grab everyone’s attention by beating the team that won’t lose. But first…
Some Celtics fan forgot we got a game tomorrow!!!! — Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) December 9, 2015
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Sully’s referring to the Bulls visiting the Garden on Wednesday night, and they won’t be in a good mood. Chicago is 11-7 but dropped their last two, both at home, by blowing fourth-quarter leads. They’ve been inconsistent and accused of lacking effort. With the Boston battle on national TV, the Bulls will be playing with something to prove.
Related: SB Nation – Klay Thompson sprains right ankle in Warriors’ win over Pacers
On Page 2: Brad is boring
Mannix: “What do you do for downtime during these long road trips?”
Stevens: “I sit in my room and watch film. I’m pretty boring…One thing about this 82-game schedule, there’s always a ‘what’s next.’ Even if you’re in good shape with that, there’s a whole slew of other things coming, so you want to be ahead of the schedule a little bit.” […]
Mannix: “You (came in) without any NBA experience. How much of what you’ve seen from other teams do you try to incorporate?”
Stevens: “Everything that we do is a compilation of 16 years in coaching, and stealing from every team I’ve ever watched…Taking ideas from people you watch. I don’t know if I’ve ever come up with a truly creative idea. It’s always been maybe a thought that was jogged in my mind by something else somebody was doing.”
Sports Illustrated – Open Floor Podcast: Brad Stevens talks Celtics and coaching in the NBA
Is any Celtics fan surprised that Brad Stevens is obsessed with coaching? That he sits in his room, watches film, pays no attention to the diversions of road cities, and doesn’t even take credit for the imaginative after-timeout plays he creates? No, we’re not surprised.
The seven-minute interview, with sportswriter and occasional CSNNE/Celtics analyst Chris Mannix, touches on Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, the development of a young roster, and more. The segment begins at the 20:46 mark. If your browser doesn’t allow you to fast-forward the podcast, download and play the mp3 file, which can be advanced to the interview.
And, finally: The throwback of all throwbacks
Here’s hoping the Celtics go way vintage with their alternate uniforms this season: pic.twitter.com/24GD9IgoKs
— SI Vault (@si_vault) December 8, 2015
Since being founded in 1946, the Boston Celtics have never changed their uniform design. Except for a few alternate designs – from the gorgeous to the hideous – they’ve always worn the same traditional green and white model that they sport today. But how about this tweet from the Sports Illustrated photo archives? This uniform, socks and all, would be an ultra-throwback.
For the record, however, this old look is not from the current Celtics but the Original Celtics, a squad formed in the early 20th century that’s in the Hall of Fame, but not connected to the Boston franchise. Knee-pad guy is Nat Holman, one of the Original Celtics, and also an individual Hall of Fame member.
So, technically, these old duds do not qualify as a Boston Celtics throwback uniform. But…if the Pacers can pretend to be Hickory High…what the hell, let’s hope it happens.
The Rest of the Links:
ESPN Boston – Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas making a case for a star turn
NESN – Celtics Quarter-Season Takeaways: Avery Bradley Making All-Star Case
CSNNE – A look at Celtics leaders in key analytics categories | Five-Game Review: Olynyk offering Instant ‘O’
Globe – Tough 6-game stretch looms for Celtics
Herald – Young grows up before C’s eyes
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