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.
MassLive: Smart definitely has the tiger in the belly and that fierce competitiveness, what does he have to do to turn that into a successful NBA career?
Tommy Heinsohn: He’ll just grow as a player, understand the little nuances more. I think he understands what his role ultimately will be. He’s testing himself in Summer League games, doing what he thinks he eventually will have to do, shooting 3s when they show up.
It’s all good stuff for him. He’s well on his way, I did mention his defensive ability, he’s the best young player I’ve seen play defensively on ball, ever.
MassLive – Q & A: Tom Heinsohn on entering the Hall of Fame (again), how 2015-2016 Boston Celtics look
Maybe your family has one – the eccentric uncle who won’t stop talking. He’s seen it all and has a story to tell for every occasion. He has a passionate opinion about everything, which he’ll share even though you don’t ask. And he’s never wrong. Despite all that, you love him and you listen to him. After all, he’s family, and much of the time he actually does know what he’s talking about.
To Celtics fans, Tommy Heinsohn is that uncle. He’s been with the Celtics nearly 60 years as a player, coach and broadcaster. Fans of other teams who hear him on League Pass know him as the biggest homer in the NBA. Many of them probably don’t know that he’s a bona fide basketball legend. So, yeah, he’s a homer, but he’s ours and if you don’t like it, too bad.
With that said, we know Tommy is prone to overrate the talent of Celtics players. He said Rondo was as good as Cousy, Greg Stiemsma blocked shots like Russell, and Brad Lohaus could make the all-star team.
Now he says Marcus Smart, with one season under his belt, is “the best young player I’ve seen play defensively on ball, ever.” Ever? Better than K.C. Jones, Dennis Johnson, Sidney Moncrief, Gary Payton, Kawhi Leonard, to name a few? These are Hall of Famers and Defensive Player of the Year winners.
As much as I’d like to believe Tommy, the facts are Smart is 21 and Kawhi was only 23 when he won DPOY this past season. That negates the “best young” qualifier.
Could Smart become that level of defender? He’s capable. He has the size and strength to handle big guards and the footwork to stay with the quick ones. Like all good defenders, Smart has shown he can force a ball handler to react to him, rather than the other way around. Most important, he’s physical and relentless. When you beat the hell out of an opponent and grind him down on every single play, he’ll stop coming at you.
If Smart continues to develop as we’ve seen, there’s a strong likelihood he will become an elite defender. He just isn’t one yet, despite what “uncle” Tommy says. Chime in with your comments if you agree or disagree.
On Page 2: Money, money, money, money … Money!
Matthews was among the prizes on the free agent market, and he agreed to a four-year, $57 million deal with Dallas on the assumption that DeAndre Jordan was spurning the Clippers to come aboard, as well. But before people around the league could fully process that number, Jordan went back on his commitment to the Mavericks, and Matthews, who had agreed to a flexible deal, got a $13 million raise to $70 million.
Is this a great country or what?
“A healthy Wesley Matthews at $70 million is insane,” one GM said. “But Wesley Matthews coming off Achilles’ surgery at $70 million? What’s a stronger way to say insane?”
Herald – More cash for NBA than players worth it
Steve Bulpett’s column today is a bit scary, as he details the meaning of some of the crazy contracts that have been secured in the NBA world of a $70 million salary cap. Agents are always able to find an owner or general manager who will overpay, Bulpett says, to the point where there’s more money than deserving players to give it to.
Besides Matthews, he points to DeMarre Carroll (four years, $60 million) and Reggie Jackson (five years, $80 million) as examples of the trend. Even the players themselves seem shocked. John Wall recently mentioned that he and Jackson now have the same contract. And clearly he doesn’t think Jackson deserves it.
“People talk about me getting $80 million, now you got people getting $85 million that haven’t made the All-Star [Game] or anything like that,” Wall said. “I guess they came in at the right time. That new CBA kicked in, and they’re good now. Reggie Jackson gets five years, $80 million. I’m getting the same as Reggie Jackson.”
One more thing: Those contracts are fully guaranteed. Compare that to yesterday’s news about the NFL’s Dez Bryant, a first team all-pro who re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys for five years and $70 million. Only $32 million is fully guaranteed. (Only.)
Too bad we weren’t lucky enough to win the genetic lottery.
And, Finally: R.J. is a true Celtic
“It was a tough decision, but every time I seem to make a decision based on basketball, basketball seems to take care of me,” he said. “The (Celtics) coaches haven’t said anything to me about it, but I get the sense they agree this was the right thing. I’ve been around the sport for so long, it seems like the natural thing to do.”
Jahlil Okafor was given permission by the Sixers to skip last night’s Summer League game. Seems the no. 3 pick in the NBA draft had already planned to attend the ESPYs in Los Angeles, even though he was not up for any awards. In his absence, Philly lost its playoff contest to the Nets, 75-68. No big deal, it really means nothing in the big picture.
But as @RedsArmy_Chuck wondered on Twitter, how would that have played in Boston if Okafor was a Celtic? It doesn’t take much to set off the grouchy talking (knuckle)heads around here.
So it was welcome news that R.J. Hunter – whose Georgia State team was nominated for Best Upset – turned down his invitation and stayed with his Celtics teammates, even though they had no game scheduled. This fits perfectly with the team-first attitude that the Celtics have historically promoted.
Whether R.J. knows it or not, he just earned a ton of Tommy Points.
Herald – R.J. Hunter, nominated for ESPY award, declines invite to stay with Celtics
Related: MassLive – RJ Hunter declines ESPY invite to stay focused on Boston Celtics summer league | ESPN Boston – Hunter has consistency in his sights
The Rest of the Links:
CBS Boston – Perry Jones Could Help Celtics, But More Moves Are Still Needed | Globe – For Danny Ainge, waiving Phil Pressey was ‘very difficult’ | Vin Baker back in NBA, assisting young players | Yahoo Sports – Vin Baker’s advice for Ty Lawson: ‘Make your life your priority’ | MassLive – Phil Pressey showered with appreciation by Danny Ainge | CSNNE – Holmes a surprise among Celtics Summer Leaguers | ESPN – To tank or not to tank? | Forbes – The World’s 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2015 | NECN – 3 New England Teams Among the Most Valuable
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