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.
A little quasi-negativity can go a long way around the Celts. Crowder told Jared Sullinger he was being disrespected by defenses and the power forward responded with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting against the Wizards. He spoke similarly to center Kelly Olynyk, who had 19 on 7-of-11 marksmanship in that game.
“You have to,” Crowder said of the strategy. “It’s all gas. We call it gas around here. I mean, you’ve just got to gas him up. It brings the best out of players. I know myself it does, and Isaiah, we play with each other and we joke around and try to make it tough on each other. We know how to push each other’s buttons to get us going, so I did the same thing with Sully and he performed well. I think it helped him.
Boston Herald – Adding fuel to their fires
I know what you’re all thinking: What could Jae Crowder possibly whisper to players that serves as a catalyst for performance? Well, it just so happens that I have some sources on the inside. Here are things Jae Crowder has whispered to his Celtic teammates in order to turn their seasons around:
Jae: Kelly, listen, some might tell you to get your head out of your ass with the way you’ve started the season. That’s not what I’m about, though. No. You need to get your hair out of your ponytail. You play so much freer when you let that Hanson Brothers long blond hair out of its ponytail prison, man. Free up your hair and your jumper will come. Cool?
Jae: Sully, my man. I’m going to tell Steve Bulpett that I preached some crap about defenses disrespecting you, but for real, dude, you need to get your old diet back. John Lucas made you drink kale smoothies this summer and go to spin classes and all this other garbage to try to get you to slim down and get in shape. They miss you at Burger King, man. Before tonight’s game, go back to your bread and butter: Two junior whoppers, three orders of chicken fries and a milkshake. It’s a Jae guarantee that you’ll go for 20.
Get ready for a big game from Tyler Zeller tomorrow:
Jae: Tyler, I don’t even know what to say to you, man. Coming into the season, guys were talking about a 10-12 million dollar extension for you. Now? You’d be lucky to get 10 dollars with the way you’re playing. Simple fix, though. Remember last year when you used to listen to Adele’s debut album on repeat on game day? I do. And remember you used to watch The Notebook after that? Right before shootaround? Damn right. You used to love that. Well, you need to get back to that man. Get back to what got you here.
Thanks, Jae. Keep up the good work.
On Page 2, Is Marcus the smart start?
Having Thomas start has not surprisingly jump-started the Celtics offense. But they have also stepped their collective games up defensively, too.
Scoring (108.0 to 100.7) and shooting (43.9 to 39.6 percent) for the Celtics are up the last two games, while opponent scoring (101.0 first three games, 99.0 the last two games) is down.
And if you look deeper into the analytic findings, the Celtics’ offensive rate (105.0), rebounding percentage (51.0), effective Field Goal Percentage (50.0) and PACE (103.67) in the last two games are all better than the team’s numbers in those respective categories in the first three games. In addition, the team’s defensive rating has dropped to 94.8 in the last two games compared to 95.4 after the first three.
CSNNE – When Smart returns, should Isaiah still start?
Marcus Smart should start against Milwaukee tomorrow night, and Isaiah Thomas should come off the bench. Data analysis that comes in the first few weeks of the season is never what it seems. Heck, Kelly Olynyk is the best defender in the NBA right now. It’s like someone whose New Year’s resolution is to go to the gym to start January, goes two times, stands in front of the mirror and flexes and thinks “This is it! I’m a new man! I can see the difference!” before falling back into old habits (shit, maybe this is the year for me).
The one thing I will say, and that has been said by many here at our site since training camp, is that having IT and Amir Johnson on the floor together is working and should be happening as much as possible. With Johnson now in the starting line-up, it may help to have IT out there with him. Additionally, if the Cs come out flat to start in Milwaukee and then again with Indiana at the Garden on Wednesday with Smart back in the starting line-up, it’s possible we see a change.
And finally, first stop: D-League, next stop: the world
Red Claws scrimmage: James Young 33 points; Jordan Mickey 20 points, 15 rebounds, 9(!) blocks. (https://t.co/IGgcTLsNVv)
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) November 9, 2015
9 blocks for Jordan Mickey in a Red Claws scrimmage! I haven’t seen that at a Red Claws scrimmage since…. Oh, that’s right, I’ve never been to a Red Claws scrimmage.
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