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.
Here in Boston, you try to win more than one championship," Davis said. "You win one, that's OK. You win two, you'll be a hero here."
As much as the Celtics' veteran bunch are trying to stay ahead of Father Time, they are just as committed to racing toward Celtics immortality as being remembered as one of the great Celtics teams.
And the only way they can lay claim to that, is to win at least one more championship.
"That's what makes being a Celtic so special," Paul Pierce told CSNNE.com. "You're part of a family that's all about greatness. Not just individual greatness, but team greatness. Here, people remember you for the team you played on. For this franchise, it's all about team goals, championships."
CSNNE: Core of Celtics ready for one more run
There is something this Boston Celtics team HAS to know. Not only, as Big Baby says there, do you have to win at least a couple of titles to be a great team…
… but this might be their last chance. There's a potential lockout that could change the entire complexion of this team. There are potential injuries. And there is, as always, age. Next year is the most uncertain one for this new Big 3.
So they've got to do it now. Now is the time to lay claim to greatness. Now is the time to cement their names in the annals of Boston history. These playoffs… starting tonight… with this team… THIS is their chance to stand along side the Havliceks and Couseys and Russells and Birds. THIS, right now, is not just a run for another title, it's a run for a legacy.
And not just for them. No. For ALL of us. This is the run for Banner 18. This is the run that protects our greatness from the charging hoards in Purple & Gold. This is the run that puts an added year of distance between us, and our most hated rivals.
These guys are not just protecting their own legacies… they are protecting ours. They can either be another wall in front of Red Auerbach's legend… or they can be bulldozed and let those……. Lakers……. into our exclusive party.
WE…. the Boston Celtics…. the players, the fans, the city….. WE…. are the greatest franchise in NBA history. Tonight, this team sets forth to make sure everyone knows that.
Related links: CSNNE: Fans expect Celtics to play up to expectations
On Page 2: Big Baby is ready to face Amar'e Stoudemire… and talks a little trash
"I've just got to make him react to me, not me react to him, because it's too late," said Davis. "[If] he gets one step on you he's too strong, he's too quick, and then you're going to foul him. You've just got to make him play into your game, and the playoffs is a different stretch of games. You've got more time to focus on people, understand their movements, things like that. I'll be studying him a lot, especially [Saturday night]."
ESPN: Playoff stage awaits confident Baby
Glen Davis has had a lot of success defending a wide array of power forwards and centers this season.
The Celtics [team stats] forward yesterday put Amare Stoudemire — a player who is sure to make his life difficult — on that list.
“It’s really not that hard; I don’t know why,” Davis said when asked about the challenge of guarding the Knicks star. “I’ve been tripping. I give him too much credit.”
Herald: Glen Davis prepares to face Amare Stoudemire
Whoa… how about that… a little trash talk from Big Baby. I kinda like it. Please, someone tell Amare what Baby said so Amare can try to go 1-on-5 every possession and "get his" while Melo sulks out on the wing. The Knicks system isn't built for a ton of iso's and 1-on-1 play… so any bit of yapping that tweaks one of these guys into doing that works for me.
And we really are going to need the first half Glen Davis to show up for the playoffs. And with all the freaking out over Shaq, Baby's going to have to step in in Game 1 and prove to everyone that we're going to be OK without Shaq in the first round. If you ARE going to trash talk… you sure as hell better back it up.
Related links: Globe: Sounds like Davis has a plan
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston: So you're saying there's a chance | Roster Watch: C's won't tip hand | C's put finishing touches on | WEEI: Celtics hold Shaquille O'Neal out for Game 1 | The other O'Neal is ready for the playoffs | Which version of Rondo will appear for the playoffs | Herald: Using stars to navigate | Shaq an indefinite no-go | Jermaine needs to "D"-liver | 5 keys to the series | Moving on not a big concern | Matching up Celtics and Knicks | Knicks a confident bunch | Globe: He's ready, are you (superfans) | Globe: Celtics ready to square off | MWDN: Celtics prep for series in NY | Game 1 primer: With Shaq out, Jermaine moves to forefront | Crossover Chronicles: One big storyline for each team: East | West
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