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.
The Celtics were attracted to Horford for all the obvious reasons, as any intelligent team would be. But there was more to it than that. Sometimes adding a player this talented requires everyone else to readjust their own responsibilities. Roles and pecking orders will change, usage rates will drop, and, seemingly, the spotlight will shift. But even though he’s a two-way star and household name, Horford won’t alter Boston’s system so much as augment it. He’s a perfect fit.
“We played [Atlanta] ten times [last season], so we had a pretty good idea of what they were doing and they had an idea of what we were doing,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told VICE Sports. “One of the reasons we went after Al really hard on day one was because we thought that he fit in really well with how we play.” […]
“The part that’s great about Al is he gives you a lot of flexibility to play in different actions,” Stevens said. “Whether it be pick-and-roll, off-the-ball screens. Whether they are two-man game or more motion type concepts. He’s a good player in all of those situations. There are different ways to play, obviously, but the more skill, the more ability to dribble, pass, and shoot you have on the floor … people are going to play smaller at times against us, [so] the ability to move laterally at the five and guard smaller guys while at the same time being able to pass it from the top of the key out of a pick-and-roll, or out of the post versus a switch, is important.” […]
“Al does not have to be the guy that shoots it every time, handles it every time,” Stevens says. “He is a teammate and a winning basketball player…. Those guys always help your locker room, they always help the people around them, they’re always good for young players to spend time with and learn from. I think everybody will benefit from his presence.”
Vice Sports – In Al Horford, Brad Stevens Has An All-Star And A Perfect Fit
This is pretty simple: After Durant, the Celtics got the next best free agent available, and he will fit like a glove in Stevens’ system. If you’re like me, you can’t wait to see how the savvy coach is going to utilize his new weapon. Opening night is 55 days away.
On Page 2: Holland is released
He had one year remaining on his contract but his role with the Celtics next season has long been in doubt after the team selected six players in the 2016 NBA Draft. With rookies like Demetrius Jackson and Ben Bentil competing for roster spots in training camp, Holland’s odds of making the final 15-man roster looked slim at best.
Rather than make Holland scramble to find a new pro team at the end of training camp, the Celtics likely cut the cord now to give the 27-year-old a chance to catch on with another NBA team or sign with a franchise abroad.
CBS Boston – Celtics Waive John Holland, Cutting Training Camp Roster To 18 Players
While this transaction obviously helps the team manage the roster, it’s also a player-friendly move that no doubt builds good will among agents. The little things add up.
On Page 3: The story behind the giant Kelly face
During a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, artist Bill Frymire revealed the complicated process of building the Olynyk fence, which grabbed the attention of Celtics fans Wednesday when photos of the mosaic bounced around Twitter. The visual is striking: Olynyk’s gigantic face staring out from a basketball court at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. […]
After receiving a sustainability grant from the university, Frymire did not know exactly who to choose as the subject of his fence. As he considered options, a few reasons made Olynyk the perfect fit: 1) the fence lines the basketball court, making a basketball player the obvious choice; 2) the Celtics sharpshooter is the only Kamloops resident in the NBA; and 3) Olynyk’s father, Ken, serves as Thompson Rivers’ director of athletics.
MassLive – Kelly Olynyk fence: How artist Bill Frymire created enormous mosaic of Boston Celtics big man
Amazing story about this artist’s talent and ingenuity. Now we just need to know what Kelly thinks about all of it.
On Page 4: Can I interest you in a KG story as told by The Truth?
Check the segment beginning 15 seconds in.
An angry KG and a postgame meal.
It’s all part of @paulpierce34‘s weirdest locker room story. #TPTStudioB pic.twitter.com/7tzG0GELf6
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 31, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAnd, finally: Get well, Craig
TNT basketball broadcaster Craig Sager received a rare third bone marrow transplant on Wednesday as he continues his fight against cancer.
“OK, third time’s the charm,” Sager said moments after the process began.
The 65-year-old Sager has battled acute myeloid leukemia since 2014, and announced in March that he was no longer in remission.
His son, Craig Sager II, was the donor for his first two transplants, which put the elder Sager into remission for close to a year each time. This time, the anonymous 20-year-old donor was considered a perfect match.
Associated Press – TNT broadcaster Craig Sager undergoes 3rd marrow transplant
If there’s one person in the NBA family who’s universally beloved, it’s the colorful Sager. Sending all good thoughts that this time will be the cure.
The Rest of the Links:
CBS Sports – Hype Extinguisher: Five NBA teams that could fail in the face of expectations
The Ringer – The State of the Blockbuster NBA Trade: What would it take for a team to deal a superstar?
CSNNE – Mickey Has To Prove To Celtics He Has More Than Just Potential
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
