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.

It was more than just shaking off rust. The spill Thomas took was scary. Players his size propel themselves in the air on daring drives, only to be knocked off balance by a bigger defender, and then sent to the hardwood floor. It’s a nightly occurrence, one that can shorten careers, such as Allen Iverson’s, whose fearless style robbed him of a few years of athleticism at the end.

Thomas was horrified by the fall and wasn’t exactly eager to ascend toward the rim with the same vigor.

“The biggest thing for me is mentally,” he said. “[Friday] I just went in. If it hurt, it hurt. I wasn’t scared of getting hit or falling. I went out there and just [tried] to play and it helped me. I felt a little quicker than I was [Wednesday], I could do a few of the moves that I like to do. Probably the biggest thing for me is getting my legs underneath me. My shot is still short but I made my free throws, so that was good.”

Globe: Isaiah Thomas conquering new fear of falling

This is part of the game for short players that people don’t really talk about much until something happens. Little guys like Thomas have to attack the basket with such reckless abandon that they put themselves in position to take some nasty falls.

I remember a few years ago I used to say that when Rajon Rondo was hitting the floor a lot, it was a sure sign he was having a good game. He doesn’t do that much anymore, probably as a bit of self-preservation. As Gary Washburn references in the piece, Allen Iverson used to do that his whole career and it definitely shaved productive years off the back-end. So it stands to reason that a serious fall like the one he suffered in Miami would give Thomas a little reason to be afraid.

Bigger guys can absorb more contact. And they’re not hurtling themselves into the scrum at 100 miles per hour, either. The formula for some scary falls is there for Thomas, and there’s a greater likelihood that he’ll have another few over his career.  If he goes out there and worries about falling, then he might as well retire or resign himself to being a bit player… a spot up, Kyle Korver type shooter who earns his living finding open space and hitting jumpers.

But for Thomas to be “Isaiah Thomas”… the guy that gave Danny Ainge a chubby for years… he’s going to have to attack the basket and get to the free throw line.

It’s hard to get past falls and injuries sometimes. Thomas will be fine and back to 100% in no time. If he keeps taking hard falls over the next few years, though, it’ll be interesting to see how, or if, he changes his game. He also can’t do this his whole career, either. At some point he will have to become a different player.  We’ll worry about that later, I guess. For now, let’s just hope the pain goes away for the last 10 games of the season.

Related links: CSNNE: Thomas continues to find his legs  |  MassLive: Thomas looks better as C’s hold off Knicks

Page 2:  Brad Stevens is already inspiring other coaches

Derek Fisher can’t hide the fact that he appreciates how the Celtics have gathered themselves through numerous key changes in what is a rebuilding year to still make a run at the postseason.

But that feeling doesn’t necessarily connect through some of his career wiring.

“I wish them a lot of luck, other than tonight,” said the Knicks coach before taking on the Celts here last evening.

Fisher then grinned and added, “I know that’s hard to hear, coming from a former Laker, to wish the Celtics any luck at all. But I like Brad (Stevens), so I wish him good luck, and then he can spread it around to everybody else.”

Herald: Derek Fisher inspired by Brad Stevens

There’s no sugar-coating how horrible the Knicks are this year. They are the biggest disappointment in the league and it’s not even close. I almost feel bad for what Fisher has had to go through. I’m sure Phil Jackson is exerting certain pressure on this team, especially with his occasional public chiding.  Then there’s the Dolan influence.

It’s horrible. And it’s 180 degrees from the Celtics situation where the ownership group is stable and largely out of the public eye (instead of playing shitty music) and Danny Ainge is not ego maniacal.  Yes, Brad Stevens has done an amazing job coaching literally dozens of players this year and coping with injuries, but he’s also in a situation much more conducive to allowing him to do a good job.

Just look at how ESPN’s basketball people ranked the owners, Stevens, and Ainge in the top 10 of what they do… while the Knicks were dead last.  The Celtics create an atmosphere where good things can happen. The Knicks create a toxic atmosphere where everything is magnified.

So look on longingly, Derek Fisher. Enjoy the view from shits-ville, because it’s not getting better.

And Finally…

OUR PARTY IS IN A FEW HOURS!!!!

Head on over to Causeway Restaurant and bar at 2pm. We’re giving away some cool shirts, and we’ll have a live q&a session with A. Sherrod Blakely, Jessica Camerato and Jay King.

If you need more details, head over to our Facebook event page.

The rest of the links:

Globe: Celtics hold off Knicks, cling to 8th seed  |  Herald: Apple appeals to Celtics  |  Celtics beat down Knicks  | CSNNE:  Thomas pays close attention to playoff race  |  Crowder becoming indispensable member of Celtics  |  Boston.com: Could Kentucky (or any college team) beat an NBA team? Stevens doesn’t think so  |  WEEI:  5 things we learned as Celtics edge Knicks  |  MassLive: Smart submits inspiring defensive possession (video)  |  Sounds like Evan Turner and Brad Stevens’ son had a fun exchange