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.
For Zeller, it was his first career NBA game-winner. And his reaction as the buzzer sounded – while in classic Zeller form – would tell you that this game-winner thing is a little new to him. A subtle fist pump as his teammates raced towards him.
“This is definitely my first one in the NBA,” Zeller said. “I just wanted to make sure it was good. That’s really all I wanted to know. It was a great thing and Marcus put it right on the money, made my job easier. It’s a great feeling, especially at the other end, Gordon had made the shot on me so being able to come back and make the game-winner is an unbelievable feeling and this was kind of a must-win for us so being able to get this win was a big win for us.”
“He’s a very businesslike person, he is an everyday guy, he works really hard, he has a good sense of humor and he’s a good guy,” Brad Stevens said. “But with some guys you might be concerned about them hitting a last-second shot and how they’re going to react the next game; I’m not concerned with him.”
You needed copious amounts of alcohol or coffee to make it through this game. Having consumed neither, I was fast asleep on my couch. Fortunately, I awoke with about 1:30 left in the 4th and witnessed the magic.
In that post-game interview with the lovely Abby Chin, Zeller, too, looked like he had just woke from a slumber. The man is the anti-Kevin Garnett. He’s an emotional clone of his head coach (headline inspiration courtesy Matt P.). I’ll poke fun at Zeller for his Robert Parish personality, but I’d take 12 Zellers over 2 Swaggy P’s any day.
We also have to give props to Marcus Smart’s terrific pass and Stevens for switching up the play call in the previous timeout. One other player deserves credit; Gigi Datome. Gigi Datome?
“Gigi walked up to me right before [the final play] and said, ‘You’ve got time for one shot fake.’ That’s exactly what happened,” Zeller said. “I caught the ball, saw Gordon flying in, so I shot-faked, and got the ball up.”
Never sleep on Gigi. Especially you, Tyronne Lue.
Related links: Herald – Zeller, Cs buzz Jazz | Smart, Zeller pull fast one | Globe – Zeller buzzer-beat lifts Celtics over Jazz | CSNNE – Celtics execute perfect game winning play | WEEI – 5 things we learned
On Page 2, who’s the tall dude with the long hair?
“It was definitely a long time, but it was tough, I did some damage to it,” Olynyk said before Wednesday’s game. “I wanted to make sure it was good and I could come back and help.”
Olynyk, who checked into the game at the 1:35 mark of the first quarter, played eight minutes in his first stint, missing his first three shots and committing two fouls. He didn’t play in the second half and finished with zero points and one rebound in 7 minutes.
“I thought he was fine,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “I thought that the way the game was going, I felt like [Jonas]Jerebko was really active and all over the place. I thought Kelly was fine. I thought he was a little tentative in shooting the basketball but he was in plays. I thought he looked fine moving. Again, we don’t get a chance to practice, so this was his practice. That was good to get a few minutes of game time in.”
18 games have passed since KO messed up his ankle on January 22. While I slept through his entire return, it’s apparent Olynyk looked a bit rusty.
The loss of Sullinger will help Stevens juggle his big-man rotation. Right now it’s obvious that Jonas Jerebko – who was hustling his ass off last night – deserves his fair share of playing time.
The rest of the links:
Herald – Smart named rookie of the month
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