Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Celtics will try to put their blueprint to work tonight in Sacramento against a team they beat by 24 in Boston three weeks ago. But the Kings are coming off a road win over the Lakers Friday and a home victory over New Orleans the next night.
In other words, the Celts can’t just throw their Sunday box score on the court tonight and expect the hosts to cower. They have to put their talents together and read their lines as scripted.
“When we play together, we’re a tough team to beat, which unfortunately we didn’t do that in Phoenix or we’d be looking at 3-0 (on this trip),” Pierce said. “We’ve got one more game. Hopefully we can finish off this road trip.
“But we just have to continue to move the ball. That’s the key for us, just playing unselfish” Pierce added. “Doc always talks about, ‘Don’t dance with the ball, going east and west. Just make the next pass, the extra pass.’ That’s not a knock against the guys who have an open shot, but we’re always looking for a better shot.
Herald – Celtics not getting too far ahead
Offensive execution has been the problem in the Celtics last two losses to subpar teams. Phoenix and Washington scored 88 and 85 points respectively in their wins over the Celtics.
One would think the formula for a great team losing to a lousy team involves lack of commitment on defense. The "I don't need to bust my ass because these guys aren't that good" mentality.
But when the Celtics play without focus, it affects their offense. Too much dribbling (or massaging the ball as Doc likes to say) and not enough passing. And sometimes we see a dose of "Hero Ball."
Move the ball. Attack the rim. If those things happen, the Celtics will leave the West coast without pissing me off.
Related links: Globe – Celtics aiming to keep focus | CSNNE – Cs look to avoid letdown |
On Page 2, the mysterious reports of Kevin Garnett's alleged Osama Bin Laden comment.
Kevin Garnett reportedly invoked the name of Osama bin Laden when refusing an autograph request by a Lakers ballboy Sunday, according to Tweets by Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports and J.A. Adande of ESPN.
Both reporters have since deleted the Tweets, but they told Deadspin that the number of re-Tweets overwhelmed their respective accounts and they deleted them so they could continue working.
During the Celtics' 109-96 victory, the reporters both Tweeted that a Lakers ball boy asked Garnett for his autograph and KG refused, saying, "You've got a better chance of catching bin Laden." Andrew Bogut, center for the Milwaukee Bucks, said the statement was "little better than what [Garnett] told one of our ball boys" in responding to Spears' Tweet.
Conspiracy? I don't quite see how an overwhelmed Twitter account (whatever that means) can prevent them from working. They can continue to tweet, regardless of how cluttered their timeline becomes with re-tweets.
If there was some sort of conspiracy between the reporters, are they trying to protect Garnett? Doubtful, since they aren't denying it was said.
As for the alleged comment, I think it's kinda funny. Although I don't get why KG is a jerk to the ballboys.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Rondo passing into greatness | Globe – Don't write off Lakers yet | Kings thumbnails | Herald – Leaving it all on the floor | WEEI – Celtics/Kings preview |
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