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.

Smart didn’t shoot the ball particularly well in Boston’s two intra-squad scrimmages, but he was one of just two players (Kelly Olynyk was the other) to win both games.

But the talk, for now at least, will center around his 0-for-the-game performance against the Sixers.

“He’s going to be criticized for that. That’s just part of it. That’s the easiest thing to point to after a game,” said Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. “I love the way he impacts the game and our team. He’s one of the very few guys who I think gets stronger defensively as the game goes along. That just wears on you, wears on you, wears on you, at the end of the game.”

CSNNE:  Stevens looks beyond box score when it comes to Smart

I said it after the game… Marcus Smart’s defense is as good and as tough as advertised.  The kid is a tank plowing through screens, he’s got quick feet, and he’s, no pun intended, very smart.  Brad Stevens agrees:

“I’ve coached a lot of really bright guys at a lot of different ages,” Stevens said. “Very, very, very, very few at 20 years old can see the game and react to the game defensively like (Smart). Now he has the ability to react athletically, too. He can really move. He’s very physical. He’s got a good savvy for the game.”

The question about Smart will soon become whether he’s just a bigger, stronger Avery Bradley, or whether he’s going to make his NBA living by making All-Defense teams and being a 4th or 5th option?  Unlike Bradley, Smart can dribble the ball for extended periods of time without me cringing.  But also unlike Bradley, Smart’s not ready to be a corner-3 threat.  Count Bradley among the people impressed not only by Smart’s D, but his poise.

“I think he’s capable of helping us a lot,” Bradley said. “He puts pressure on the offensive player every single time down the floor, and he doesn’t gamble. That’s crazy because he’s young, and a lot of young guys like to gamble. He just plays great, solid defense.”

That’s ok, though.  He still hasn’t officially made his Celtics debut (despite what announcers like to say, Summer League and preseason don’t really count.  The real debut comes October 29 against the Brooklyn Nets.  There is plenty of time for him practice and hone his skills.  He’s got months to make improvements and get acclimate, and years to really develop his game and truly learn things.

Still, all signs are pointing to Smart making an impact on this year’s team.  That impact, though, will primarily be on the defensive end.  We’ll have to wait to see if his shot will come around.

Related links:  Herald:  Stevens ok with Marcus Smart’s missed shots  |  MassLive:  Stevens: Smart’s “going to shoot it fine”  | Smart shines defensively but can’t find his shot

Page 2:  James Young is good at moving balls

“I thought he was pretty good (Monday),” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “Now, I do think he can shoot the ball better — 1 for 5 from three, he’s got to shoot it better — but he’s a good athlete, he can run the floor, he can get to spots, he can shoot the ball.

“The thing he probably does as well as anything is, he makes simple plays. When he gets the ball, he either shoots it, gets rid of it or drives it. This league, and us, put a premium on those movers, and he certainly has a nice feel to be a ball-mover.”

NESN:  Confidence crucial to Young’s success

Rule #1 at Red’s Army:  Never pass up a chance for a sophomoric headline

In one of our many behind-the-scenes meetings, Chuck and I took a break from discussing his ambitions to move to Australia and join the “Thunder from Down Under,” and instead discussed our intrigue with James Young.

The kid didn’t play much, but we noticed two things that stood out in the preseason opener:  He’s got confidence to spare, and he’s got a pretty looking shot.  And despite a shooter’s mentality, I did notice Young didn’t completely disrupt the offense by begging for the ball in one spot of the floor.  He would ask for it, but then move if he didn’t get it.

That’s a small thing, but it’s a big deal to me because it shows a recognition of who he is, an acceptance that he’s going to have to wait his turn, and the understanding that just because the ball didn’t come to him that time, moving and flowing within the offense will result in shots.  In the end, he managed to hoist five three pointers, which is pretty within the flow of the offense.

Understanding that is hard for rookies, especially in limited time off the bench in the first preseason game.  Often, this is the one time kids will say “I gotta prove myself” and force things before settling down.  But for the most part, Young didn’t do that.  If you’re looking for signs of positivity within some mixed results, something like this is very encouraging.  Moving yourself and the ball and participating in the offense is a great way to actually get yourself more shots… unless you’re on a team with Carmelo Anthony, then forget it.  All your shot are belong to him.

Anyway, I came away from Monday’s game with a pleasant feeling about Young.  Let’s see if he can build on that tonight.

Related links:  MassLive:  Young escapes jitters to continue flashing potential

And Finally…

In case you missed it yesterday… the Utah Jazz did something amazingly awesome with this 5 year-old fighting leukemia.

First, the Jazz announced in a press release that they had signed Gibson, who they called “free agent guard” to a one-day contract Monday afternoon. The little guy signed his contract before a Utah scrimmage at Energy Solutions Arena held in front of season ticket holders.

Then…

So cool.

The rest of the links:

Herald:  Shooter Marcus Thornton knows the score  |  CSNNE:  Agent shoots down Ray Allen to Cavs rumor  |  Bass & Thornton’s bond dates back to middle school  |  Camp fires:  All lights green for Thornton  |  MassLive:  Rondo timeline unchanged, Green a game-time decision  |  Thornton expect more freedom  |  Patriot ledger:  C’s begin 3 game in 4 night stretch