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.
Why are we spending time discussing players eight and nine in the rotation? Together, the rookies played 39 minutes in Game 2 and Stevens said they will both get chances moving forward. Entering the playoff series, neither player was expected to have a big impact, but here we are in the first round, and the Celtics are relying on both
So this is what it’s come to. Off-day articles about how the children rookies are gaining valuable reps during the playoffs.
Fair enough. Not exactly how Stevens or the rest of the team really wanted this to play out, but hey, what are you gonna do? It’s not like poor coaching is responsible for injuries to Crowder, Bradley and Olynyk. And it’s far too late in the game to wring our hands about the impact that poor coaching may have had on field goal shooting–at least in this season. Any change there will have to wait a few days (pessimistically), or a few weeks (optimistically), or even a couple months (if you’re still sleeping in Celtics sheets your Mom got you when you were six).
Page 2: Where the Celtics are a ‘dark horse’
The Summer of Durant will be wild, with Durant eager to be courted, to see how other teams operate. Golden State will be in the mix, San Antonio too, while Boston lurks as a dark horse, the Eastern Conference alternative if Durant chooses to extract himself from the bruising Western Conference playoffs.
Okay, a few huge grains of salt to go with that paragraph. First, Chris Mannix is well-connected, sure, but he’s not as well-connected as Woj is, and the Durant “camp” is as leak-proof as any “camp” surrounding any NBA player big enough to actually have a “camp” (and, by the way, what does this ‘camp’ look like? How does one get into the ‘camp’? Does the ‘camp’ go on camping trips? Was Perkins telling the truth that the Durant ‘camp’ actually has non-disclosure agreements? The whole thing sounds so…. feudal)
And the second, is that the best odds are that Durant re-signs with OKC. Money, inertia, a sense of obligation to the fans.
I don’t put much stock into “super-team” pitches from either Golden State or San Antonio, as neither team is in position to turn Durant into anything other than a very expensive hood ornament.
If Durant elects to leave the Thunder, I think his best opportunity is indeed with the Celtics–they’re in position to minimize his weaknesses (defense) and maximize his abilities (scoring). Durant would fit into the Celtics offense and defense, whereas he would need to adjust–and displace–to contribute to either the Spurs or Warriors.
Page 3: Where Dominique’s not counting the Celtics out…
“I mean, it’s always tough playing in Boston,” said Wilkins, the NBA Hall of Famer and now Hawks vice president. “That’s just history, man. It’s always a battle when you go up there for the playoffs. And that’s what makes it fun. That’s what I love about it. It should be a battle. Nothing is supposed to be easy.
…and loves Boston
Red Auerbach said, ‘You can go to any team you want, but we want you in Boston.’ Like I’m going to turn Red Auerbach down? And Larry endorsed it.
“I mean, how do you turn that down? I mean, really? You’ve got basketball mecca in Boston, and then you’ve got one of the greatest players in the history of their franchise in Bird and one of the greatest coaches to ever coach in Red Auerbach asking you to come there. That was a pretty easy decision.”
Wilkins averaged a team-high 17.8 points, and the Celtics scammed into the playoffs with a 35-47 record before closing down the old Garden with a 3-1 first-round loss to Orlando.
“It was a tough year, but I loved playing there, and the fans treated me unbelievable,” ’Nique said. “And I loved the city. I only played for the Celtics that one year, but I lived there for five years. I loved the change of the seasons.”
Dominque with more good words for any players considering Boston as a destination. Of course, Ainge may not want to use Dominque as a reference when pitching free agents, given that ‘Nique is still gainfully employed by the Hawks, but still… If you’re a Boston fan/resident who needs a regular reminder that the rest of the world doesn’t hate your town–even if some of your fans can be really obnoxious (but at least not Philly level obnoxious, right?), consider this your daily dose of “no, people really like Boston! and Boston fans!!”
Finally: Remember that time Prince rented Carlos Boozer’s house?
“He did some very specific things that were built for him and his lifestyle, which is very different than mine.”
Which is about all you need to know about Boozer and Prince, really.
This article, written in 2011, along with stories from other and more fantastical outlets detail some of the Prince customizations…. The Prince symbol was put on the gates, the house was painted purple, purple monogrammed carpet was installed in the master bedroom, as was plumbing for at least one and possibly more than one hair stylist booth.
Which, that last one, I completely understand. You’re Prince. You’re not going to a barbershop. And if Lebron can have a private barber, then certainly someone as fabulous as Prince should have a private salon.
Oh. And that Charlie Murphy story about Prince playing basketball? To quote Harrison Ford as Han Solo. It’s true. All of it.
The rest of the links:
MassLive: Avery Bradley could potentially return to practice court before end of Boston Celtics-Atlanta Hawks series (dude’s probably got a partial tear, though, so don’t hold your breath) | Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics will need to find more shooting if Kelly Olynyk can’t play in Game 3 | Danny Ainge: Boston Celtics won’t let Avery Bradley return unless he’s 100 percent
Boston Herald: Celtics know they must avoid slow start as Hawks come to Boston | Bulpett: Celtics must believe in themselves | Celtics Notebook: Brad Stevens ponders lineup changes
Boston.com: Danny Ainge says Celtics need to give Isaiah Thomas help on offense | Debating the Celtics’ chances to come back against the Hawks
CSNNE: Patriots DT Knighton says he’ll recruit Durant to Celtics | NBA: Change to ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ rule is likely | Little fish, big stage: Celtics rookies see increased roles in playoffs
Boston Globe: Celtics have a lot to prove in Game 3 (not even going to dignify this one with comment in the ‘pages’ above–Washburn’s dismissal of key injuries is signal incompetence in someone paid to think first and then write)
ESPN Boston: Despite ankle injury, Jae Crowder making impact on Celtics-Hawks series
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