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.
As Amir Johnson made his way to the podium during the Boston Celtics’ Media day on Monday, he didn’t waste any time addressing the biggest change from last season this time.
For the first time under fourth-year coach Brad Stevens, the Celtics have expectations – high expectations – for the upcoming season.
“A lot of expectations I hear around here,” Johnson said. “’Celtics got this,’ ‘Celtics got that!’ Talk to me!”
…
When asked what success for the Celtics will look like this season, Stevens was succinct in his response.
“My expectations never change,” Stevens said. “It’s all about getting better tomorrow, making sure we’re as good as we can be. That’s’ a very simple, boring process but that’s the way that I go about it. The results take care of themselves.”
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“Our first goal was to make it to the playoffs,” Crowder said. “We’re beyond that point now.
Crowder added, “Success is home court advantage going into the playoffs, getting past the first round. Two years in a row we got the same result. We have to progress from that. That’s what we’re shooting for.”
‘Second round or bust!’ should be the motto of this year’s Celtics team.
But I’ll be honest, that won’t be enough for me. Barring any major injuries, I’m expecting a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
It feels good to have expectations. It means we’ve cleared a threshold in the rebuild.
Now can we just fast forward to October 26th and get the season opener underway?
Even-keel Brad Stevens really is the Bill Belichick of the NBA, minus the prickish and demeaning attitude towards the media.
On Page 2, Avery Bradley pens a letter to Kevin Garnett
After learning about Kevin Garnett’s retirement from the NBA, Boston Celtics shooting guard Avery Bradley sat down to write his former teammate a letter. He wanted to let Garnett know “how much I appreciate him, how special he is to me.”
“It hasn’t just been on the court,” Bradley said Monday at Celtics media day. “It’s been off the court as well. Kevin is just an amazing person. He doesn’t give a lot of people a chance to get to know him very well, but he’s just an amazing guy. His family is lucky to have him. I’m lucky to have had a chance to be his teammate and learn from him on and off the court. He’s such a professional. He does everything right on the court and off the court. He never disrespected Doc (Rivers). I mean, I could go down a list of how amazing KG was as a teammate, and he always had everyone’s back on the team. He was so passionate about this game and the NBA’s going to miss him.”
Avery Bradley really is a throwback. I mean, who the heck opts for a handwritten letter over an email?
AB is just an all around great guy.
And finally… Shavlik Randolph’s life is better than yours.
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The rest of the links
Herald – Celtics keep goals grounded | Crowder, Celtics mull protests | Globe – Horford, Celtics appear ideal fit | Mass Live – Gerald Green says its amazing to be back in Boston | Jaylen Brown says Celtics drafting him was a blessing | SB Nation – The possibilities are endless for the Celtics |
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